XRP News Today: SEC Chair Calls for Clarity, Ripple Case Still in Limbo; BTC Hits $95k

XRP Holds as SEC Chair Atkins Signals Pro-Crypto Stance

The US Securities and Exchange Commission held a crypto roundtable on Friday, April 25, marking SEC Chair Atkins’ first public address since assuming office. His speech drew significant market interest, particularly in light of the SEC’s recent U-turn on regulation through enforcement.

CryptoAmerica host and journalist Eleanor Terret reported:

“HAPPENING NOW: Chairman Atkins made his opening remarks at the SEC crypto roundtable on trading. ‘Innovation has been stifled for the last several years due to market and regulatory uncertainty that, unfortunately, the SEC has fostered,’ he said.”

His call for regulatory clarity is a potential catalyst for crypto adoption in the US.

SEC vs. Ripple: Legal Limbo Continues

Despite the regulatory shift, the SEC has remained silent on the Ripple case, leaving XRP in a holding position. On April 10, the SEC and Ripple jointly filed a motion to pause the appeal challenging the Programmatic Sales of XRP ruling, citing an agreement to settle.

Investors now await the SEC’s next court move: a possible request for Judge Analisa Torres to vacate her injunction prohibiting XRP institutional sales and lower Ripple’s penalty. Judge Torres’ ruling on a settlement could be crucial. If Judge Torres denies the motion, Ripple may pursue its cross-appeal, forcing the SEC to progress with its appeal.

XRP Market Outlook: Legal and ETF Factors in Focus

XRP fell 1.03% on Friday, April 25, following Thursday’s 0.61% loss, closing at $2.1825. The token underperformed the broader crypto market, which gained 0.57%, taking the total crypto market cap to $2.91 trillion. The divergence highlights lingering uncertainty surrounding the Ripple case.

Looking ahead, key price drivers include a potential Ripple-SEC settlement, growing optimism over an XRP-spot ETF, and broader macroeconomic forces such as Fed policy and U.S.-China trade developments.

Near-term technical support lies around $2.1, with a breakout above $2.50 potentially paving the way toward $3 and the $3.5505 all-time high.

See our full XRP forecast here.

Bitcoin Breaks Crucial $95k on US-China Trade Optimism

While XRP struggled, easing US-China tensions drove bitcoin (BTC) to $95,000. Despite Beijing denying claims of trade negotiations, President Trump’s softer stance on China lifted risk sentiment. The Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.26%, extending its winning streak to four sessions. Risk-on sentiment left gold down 0.89% at $3,319.

Market intelligence platform Santiment remarked on the shift in market mood, stating:

“Bitcoin’s unexpected breakout has flipped the script for the crypto community. Data shows a surge in optimism from the crowd as BTC rebounded above $95K for the first time since February. As for the level of greed being measured across social media, this is the highest spike in bullish (vs. bearish) posts since the night Trump was elected on November 5, 2024.”

BTC could reclaim $100,000 for the first time since February 4 if momentum holds.

BTC-Spot ETFs See Strong Inflows

Easing trade tensions and the upswing in risk appetite have fueled demand for US BTC-spot ETFs, crucial for BTC price trends. On April 24, net inflows totaled $442 million, following inflows of $917 million on April 23. April 25 inflows could extend the streak to six days. According to Farside Investors:

• Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) reported net outflows of $108 million.
• Grayscale Bitcoin Mini Trust (BTC) saw net inflows of $19.9 million.
• ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) had net inflows of $11.4 million.
• Excluding pending flow data for BlackRock’s (BLK) iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), total net inflows stood at $139.9 million.

Significantly, the US BTC-spot ETF market is poised to log its largest weekly net inflows since launching on January 11, 2024.

BTC Price Outlook: Key Catalysts Ahead

On April 25, BTC rose 0.82%, adding to Thursday’s 0.28% gain to close at $94,777, extending its winning streak to seven sessions.

Near-term trends hinge on a mix of geopolitical and legislative developments.

• Bearish Scenario: Escalating US-China trade war, Fed hawkishness, weak US data, legislative resistance, and ETF outflows.
• Bullish Scenario: Dovish Fed signals, de-escalation in the US-China trade war, upbeat data, pro-crypto legislation, and rising ETF inflows.

One such legislative driver is the Bitcoin Act, reintroduced by Senator Cynthia Lummis. The bill proposes that the US government acquire one million BTC over five years, with a 20-year lock-up. If passed, the bill could drive BTC to fresh record highs.

What to Watch

Investors should closely monitor Ripple court filings, US-China trade headlines, and central bank statements. Macro trends and ETF flows will continue to guide sentiment. A favorable XRP settlement may ignite a fresh rally, but broader crypto momentum will ultimately depend on global policy signals and risk appetite.

Read analysts’ insights on what may drive cryptocurrencies to new highs.