XRP will take center stage on Thursday, March 27, as investors await the SEC’s formal withdrawal of its appeal against the Programmatic Sales of XRP ruling. If confirmed, the withdrawal would mark a significant milestone for XRP and the broader crypto market, potentially accelerating the path toward an XRP-spot ETF launch.
Despite anticipation around the SEC’s withdrawal and Ripple dropping its cross-appeal, XRP has yet to retest its January high of $3.3999. However, the potential launch of a US XRP-spot ETF could have a far greater impact on XRP’s supply-demand trajectory.
Institutional demand for XRP could surge if Ripple’s US expansion gains traction, supporting a move to new highs.
ETF Store President remarked on the prospects of an XRP-spot ETF, stating:
“Seems obvious spot XRP ETF approval simply matter of time IMO. And yes, I expect BlackRock, Fidelity, etc to all be involved. XRP currently 3rd largest non-stablecoin crypto asset by market cap. Largest ETF issuers aren’t going to ignore this.”
Ripple CEO Brad Galinghouse recently hinted at a potential collaboration with BlackRock (BLK) to launch a US-based XRP-spot ETF. BlackRock’s involvement could significantly impact market supply-demand trends. Since launching a BTC-spot ETF in January 2024, the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) has seen net inflows of $39,834 million, playing a key role in the market’s success.
Excluding IBIT, the US BTC-spot ETF market would have recorded net outflows of $3,604 million. Demand for BlackRock’s BTC-spot ETF has helped rebalance BTC’s supply-demand dynamic, contributing to its surge to a record high of $109,312.
The hype surrounding a potential US XRP-spot ETF market has intensified recently. Crypto.com CEO Kris Marszalek reportedly said:
“XRP ETFs are going to attract $8 billion of inflows in 2026.”
According to Polymarket, a crypto-betting platform, the odds for an XRP-spot ETF approval by December 2025 have climbed to an all-time high of 87%, up from 57% in January.
On Wednesday, March 26, XRP slid by 4.11%, after a marginal 0.01% gain on Tuesday, closing at $2.3513. The token underperformed the broader market, which dipped by 1.06% to a total crypto market cap of $2.79 trillion.
Key factors influencing XRP’s price outlook:
Read expert analysis on what could drive XRP to new highs here.
XRP’s mid-week losses coincided with a bitcoin (BTC) pullback. Investors reacted to President Trump’s announcement of 25% auto tariffs on foreign-made cars. The move reignited fears of a global trade war, sending the Nasdaq Composite Index down 2.04%.
The US BTC-spot ETF market also felt the effects of Trump’s tariff announcement. According to Farside Investors:
The market’s eight-day inflow streak would end if iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) records inflows below $18.3 million or turns negative.
Despite the cautious mood, US BTC-spot ETFs avoided broader outflows. Optimism surrounding the proposed Bitcoin Act provided a cushion. Senator Cynthia Lummis reintroduced the Bitcoin Act on March 11, proposing the US government acquire one million BTC over five years with a 20-year holding mandate. If passed, the Bitcoin Act could significantly impact BTC’s long-term supply-demand balance.
On March 26, BTC fell 0.54%, reversing Tuesday’s 0.38% gain, closing at $86,943.
Potential scenarios:
Several macro and regulatory themes are likely to influence the crypto landscape in the near term:
While the SEC’s recent actions offer some immediate relief, lasting investor confidence will depend on a consistent and transparent regulatory environment.
Stay updated with our latest insights here.
With over 28 years of experience in the financial industry, Bob has worked with various global rating agencies and multinational banks. Currently he is covering currencies, commodities, alternative asset classes and global equities, focusing mostly on European and Asian markets.