XRP News Today: SEC Settlement Buzz Fuels XRP Rally – What’s Next? BTC Visits $85K

SEC vs. Ripple: Settlement Speculation Intensifies

On Friday, March 14, speculation about a potential settlement in the SEC vs. Ripple case fueled XRP demand. Pro-crypto lawyer Jeremy Hogan remarked on the possibility, stating:

“A settlement agreement 100% keeps the terms within the parties’ control (that is what every mediator tells you ten times every mediation). An attempt to ratify the judgment back at the trial court runs into problems that I’ve discussed before, namely that the Judge could say ‘no’.”

Hogan referenced SEC v. Penn to highlight the risk of courts rejecting motions to vacate final judgments. In SEC v. Penn, the court denied a motion to change the judgment.

Hogan’s comments followed reports that the SEC and Ripple were in settlement talks. On March 12, Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett reported that Ripple was negotiating better terms on Judge Analisa Torres’ Final Judgment. Citing two sources familiar with the talks, Ripple is focused on reducing the $125 million penalty and modifying the injunction that requires Ripple to comply with Section 5 of the Securities Act.

XRP Price Trends: Appeal Speculation Boosts Demand

On Friday, March 14, XRP extended its winning streak to four sessions, rallying 4.66%. Building on Thursday’s 0.59% gain, XRP closed at $2.3582. Notably, XRP outperformed the broader market, which advanced by 3.17%, taking the total crypto market cap to $2.69 trillion.

Rising expectations of the SEC withdrawing its appeal and the approval of XRP-spot ETFs boosted XRP demand.

Key factors influencing XRP’s price outlook:

• SEC Appeal Strategy: If the SEC withdraws its appeal, XRP could surpass its all-time high of $3.55. However, prolonged legal uncertainty might drag prices below $1.50.
• XRP-Spot ETF Developments: If approved, institutional inflows from an XRP ETF could drive prices toward $5, but unresolved legal issues may delay such approval.
• Macro Risks: Trade tensions could push XRP toward the February low of $1.7938. Conversely, easing trade tensions could support a recovery toward $2.50.

Read expert analysis on what could drive XRP to new highs here.

Dip Buyers Boost BTC Demand Amid Recession Fears

XRP’s rally coincided with a broader demand surge for risk assets. Bitcoin (BTC) led a relief rally, mirroring the Nasdaq Composite Index, which gained 2.61%. These gains came despite President Trump’s tariff threats and fears of a tariff-induced US recession.

Crypto market intelligence platform Santiment commented on BTC’s rebound:

“Bitcoin’s rally back to $84.5K Friday shows what happens when the Monday crowd claims it’s time to sell. Predictably, FUD hit its peak as $BTC was down to $78K, with predictions pouring in for lower prices all across social media. This same phenomenon happened at the end of February, when retail traders were convinced we were going even lower… only to watch prices temporarily soar at the beginning of March.”

Santiment emphasized that market sentiment often moves opposite to the crowd’s expectations, noting:

“Over the past month, we have not seen Bitcoin’s market value fall below $70K OR rise above $100K. That means looking at the crowd’s social predictions of<$70K is a great gauge for FUD, and >$100K is a great gauge for FOMO. Historically, markets move the opposite direction of the crowd’s expectations.”

US BTC-Spot ETF Market Outflows Underscore Risk Sentiment

Despite the broader crypto rally, ETF outflows suggest that some institutional investors remain cautious. According to Farside Investors, US BTC-spot ETF flows showed mixed trends on March 14:

• iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) saw net outflows of $96.2 million.
• Bitwise Bitcoin ETF (BITB) recorded net inflows of $23.0 million, while Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) registered net inflows of $9.2 million.
• Excluding ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) data, the US BTC-spot ETF market had net outflows of $59.2 million.

BTC-spot ETF flows remain a critical factor in bitcoin’s supply-demand balance and price outlook. Net outflows since mid-February have weighed on BTC, leaving it well below its record high of $109,312.

Bitcoin Price Scenarios: Key Levels to Watch

On March 14, BTC rallied 3.53%, reversing Thursday’s 3.07% loss to close at $84,003. The rally saw BTC briefly touch $85,352 before easing back. While dip buyers fueled demand, hopes that US lawmakers advancing the Bitcoin Act also contributed to the recovery from the March 11 low of $76,635.

On March 11, Senator Cynthia Lummis reintroduced the Bitcoin Act, which proposes that the US government acquire one million BTC over five years and hold it for a mandatory 20-year period. If enacted, the bill could substantially alter BTC’s supply-demand balance, likely driving prices higher.

Potential price scenarios:

• Bearish: Escalating trade tensions, opposition to the Bitcoin Act, and continued ETF outflows could push BTC toward $70,000.
• Bullish: Easing trade tensions, growing support for the Bitcoin Act, and renewed ETF inflows could drive BTC toward $109,312.

Market Outlook: Key Drivers

Key macroeconomic and regulatory developments will shape crypto trends in the weeks ahead:

• SEC Appeal Decision: An SEC withdrawal could spark a broad crypto rally.
• US Tariff Policy: Higher tariffs could force the Fed into a more hawkish stance, fueling recession fears.
• Strategic BTC Reserve: Support for the Bitcoin Act could accelerate institutional adoption.
• BTC-Spot ETF Flows: Institutional demand remains a key price driver.

An SEC appeal withdrawal could fuel an XRP breakout, while long-term institutional confidence will hinge on greater regulatory clarity in the US.

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