XRP has seen a significant price surge today, outperforming top cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. After several days of sideways movement, XRP’s price has surged from $2.42 to an intraday high of $2.76, marking a 14% gain. In comparison, Bitcoin and Ethereum are up just 1%, while other major tokens like Solana, BNB, and Tron are seeing losses. This notable performance is driven by two key factors that have ignited fresh bullish sentiment in the XRP community.

1. SEC Acknowledges Grayscale XRP ETF Filing

The most significant catalyst for XRP’s price jump has been the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) recognition of the Grayscale XRP ETF filing. On February 13, 2025, the SEC published a notice acknowledging the filing of Grayscale’s Form 19b-4, a critical step in the process of approving the first-ever spot XRP ETF.

This acknowledgment is a significant milestone for XRP as it opens the door to potential approval. While the SEC’s recognition does not guarantee approval, it signals that the regulator is willing to consider the proposal. This development has caused a surge of excitement in the XRP community, with many seeing it as a step toward mainstream financial acceptance for XRP.

Historically, the SEC has been cautious about approving altcoin ETFs, but the agency’s stance has been evolving. Under the leadership of Acting Chair Mark Uyeda, the SEC has shown more openness to cryptocurrency-based initiatives, fueling optimism that the XRP ETF could receive approval in the near future.

2. Speculation About the Ripple Lawsuit Settlement

The second factor contributing to XRP’s surge is growing speculation that the SEC may be preparing to drop the lawsuit against Ripple Labs, marking the end of the four-year-long legal battle. The XRP community has long anticipated the possibility of a settlement between Ripple and the SEC, and the recent acknowledgment of the XRP ETF filing has only fueled these speculations.

Analysts, including those from Bloomberg, had previously given the approval of the XRP ETF a 65% chance of success, mainly due to the ongoing legal battle. However, with the SEC’s recent move, many now believe the odds of approval have increased significantly. The news of a potential settlement in the Ripple lawsuit, combined with the ETF developments, has contributed to a renewed sense of optimism surrounding XRP’s future.

Ripple’s Growing Partnerships

In addition to these regulatory developments, Ripple has also been making headlines with its growing network of partnerships. Earlier this week, Ripple declared a new collaboration with the largest currency exchange in Portugal, further increasing XRP’s adoption in the global payments ecosystem.

Moreover, last week, Japan’s SBI Remit expanded its international remittance services in partnership with SBI Shinsei Bank. SBI Remit uses XRP for cross-border payments in certain regions, adding to the positive market sentiment surrounding Ripple and XRP.

Conclusion

XRP’s impressive 14% surge today is driven by a combination of regulatory developments, legal speculation, and growing adoption of the token. The SEC’s acknowledgment of the Grayscale XRP ETF filing and the possibility of a settlement in the Ripple lawsuit are fueling optimism within the XRP community. Additionally, Ripple’s new partnerships further strengthen the case for XRP as a leading cryptocurrency in the global payments space. With these developments, XRP appears poised for continued growth, attracting both retail and institutional investors.