Ripple’s XRP has been back in the spotlight in 2025, fueled by major legal milestones, institutional interest, and strong price momentum. Following the recent settlement developments between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), investor confidence appears to be rebounding. With XRP trading around $2.20 and showing signs of strength, many are speculating just how high it can go before the year ends — and whether it remains a good long-term investment.

One of the most significant developments came with the resolution of Ripple’s multi-year legal battle with the SEC. The core of the lawsuit centered around whether XRP should be classified as a security. Recent court rulings and settlement agreements have clarified that while institutional sales of XRP may have violated securities laws, retail sales — such as those on exchanges — do not. This legal clarity is monumental, as it removes a major overhang that had weighed on the token for years and scared off institutional players. With Ripple dropping its cross appeal and the SEC expected to follow suit, XRP now stands on stronger regulatory footing than ever before.

This legal victory has had a profound effect on investor sentiment. Trading volumes have surged, and price action has turned more bullish. More importantly, large investors — known as whales — are accumulating XRP in large quantities. According to recent on-chain data, wallets holding over one million XRP have reached an all-time high of 2,850. Additionally, the number of wallets with at least 10,000 XRP has risen by 6.2% in 2025 alone, now exceeding 306,000. This broad accumulation suggests confidence in XRP’s medium- to long-term upside potential, especially now that legal concerns have been mostly resolved.

Beyond legal and investor trends, institutional adoption could play a significant role in XRP’s price trajectory this year. Following the approval of multiple crypto-related ETFs in the U.S., speculation is growing around the possibility of an XRP ETF. The prediction platform Polymarket currently places the odds of a Ripple ETF approval by the end of 2025 at 78%. If such an ETF gains approval, it could open the floodgates to billions in institutional inflows, similar to the impact seen with Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year.

Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto recently suggested that if ETF approval happens, XRP could surge as high as $27, citing parallels with previous large-cap altcoin rallies following institutional product introduces. Though these estimates are speculative, they illustrate the bullish outlook many in the space now hold. Even a more conservative scenario could see XRP testing $10, given the favorable regulatory landscape, whale accumulation, and potential ETF catalysts.

Despite the growing optimism, market caution still exists. Crypto veteran Arthur Hayes and other analysts believe it’s wise to wait for better entry points, with the $1.30 range highlighted as an ideal accumulation zone. They argue that while XRP’s current move is promising, the token faces resistance around the $2.20 to $2.24 mark, which could lead to temporary pullbacks or consolidation phases before another breakout.

Technical indicators also support a mixed outlook in the short term. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) shows XRP entering slightly overbought territory, suggesting some cooling might occur. However, strong volume trends and growing open interest in XRP futures on exchanges like CME indicate deeper market participation — often a bullish sign for medium-term movements.

Looking at the big picture, 2025 could mark a breakout year for XRP. With legal uncertainties resolved, institutional doors swinging open, and a strong community backing the project, XRP is no longer just riding hype — it’s backed by fundamental shifts in its regulatory and market dynamics. Whether the price ultimately hits $3, $10, or even higher, will depend heavily on continued momentum, global macro conditions, and whether ETF approvals become reality.

For now, XRP stands as one of the most watched altcoins in the crypto space, and if current trends hold, 2025 could be the year it reclaims — or even surpasses — its previous all-time highs.