XRP News Today: Will SEC’s Closed Meeting Decide Ripple’s Fate? BTC Eyes $105K

SEC vs. Ripple Case: Closed Meeting in Focus

The SEC vs. Ripple case and XRP will be under the spotlight on Thursday, January 30. SEC acting Chair Mark Uyeda and Commissioner Hester Peirce will attend a pre-scheduled closed meeting, marking the fifth of the year. According to the Sunshine Act Notice, the agenda includes:

• Institution and settlement of injunction actions;
• Institution and settlement of administrative proceedings;
• Resolution of litigation claims; and
• Other matters relating to examinations and enforcement proceedings.

While these agenda items are standard, the timing is significant. The SEC filed its appeal-related opening brief on January 15. The filing came days before Gary Gensler stepped down as SEC Chair. US President Trump nominated Paul Atkins for SEC Chair, with Mark Uyeda serving as acting Chair. Paul Atkins and acting Chair Uyeda share similar views on crypto regulation, pointing to a more market-friendly approach.

Shifting Regulatory Stance?

John Reed Stark, former SEC Office of Internet Enforcement Chief, commented on Atkins’ stance on crypto enforcement, stating,

“He would likely reverse course on the SEC’s crypto-enforcement efforts. […] Paul favors free markets and hates over-regulation – which should be a net-positive for the cryptoverse.”

In November, acting Chair Uyeda also signaled a policy shift, stating,

“The Commission’s war on crypto must end, including crypto enforcement actions solely based on a failure to register with no allegation of fraud or harm. President Trump and the American electorate have sent a clear message. Starting in 2025, the SEC’s role is to carry out that mandate.”

Acting Chair Uyeda and incoming Chair Atkins’ stance on crypto suggests a potential withdrawal of the appeal, challenging the Programmatic Sales of XRP ruling.

Speculation about a potential appeal intensified this week after the SEC removed the Ripple case from its Litigation Releases RSS Feed a few days before the January 30 closed meeting.

XRP Price Trends: SEC Decision Looms Large

On Wednesday, January 29, XRP advanced by 0.30%, following Tuesday’s 0.05% gain, closing at $3.0677. Significantly, XRP underperformed the broader crypto market, which rose 1.88%, taking the total crypto market cap to $3.43 trillion.

The SEC’s decision on its appeal will be a key driver of XRP’s price action:

• A withdrawal could drive XRP past its all-time high of $3.5505.
• Pursuing the appeal may drag XRP below $2.50.

Expert Analysis: How will the SEC’s next move shape XRP’s future? Read more here.

Bitcoin Advances on Fed Rate Path Signals

As the SEC deliberates on its next move in the Ripple case, broader crypto markets, including Bitcoin, react to macroeconomic signals. Bitcoin (BTC) snapped a four-day losing streak on January 29. The US Federal Reserve kept interest rates at 4.5%, as expected. However, investors reacted favorably to Fed Chair Powell’s wait-and-see stance, easing concerns about potential rate hikes.

BTC dropped to a low of $101,429 before rallying to a session high of $104,753 after Powell’s statements. Notably, BTC diverged from the US equity markets, which dipped after traders cut bets on an H1 2025 Fed rate cut. The Nasdaq Composite Index declined by 0.51% on January 29.

US BTC-Spot ETF Market Bolsters Bitcoin Demand

The US BTC-spot ETF market, on January 29, may register a second consecutive day of net inflows. According to Farside Investors, BTC-spot ETF issuers – excluding BlackRock’s (BLK) iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) – reported $120.4 million in total net inflows.

Flow trends underscored investor sentiment toward the Fed rate path. Nevertheless, demand has waned following US President Trump’s recent crypto executive orders (EO).

President Trump created a Presidential Working Group on Digital Asset Markets. While some hoped this would lead to a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve (SBR), the order focused on assessing rather than implementing a BTC stockpile.

Still, the potential for a US SBR remains. Senator Cynthia Lummis, Chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets, introduced the Bitcoin Act in late 2024. The bill proposes the US government acquire one million BTC over five years, with a mandatory holding period of 20 years.

A one million buy-and-hold strategy would significantly shift the supply-demand balance in BTC’s favor. Amicus Curiae attorney John E. Deaton predicted BTC could reach $1 million much sooner than expected if Congress passes Senator Lummis’ Bitcoin Act.

Congress, the Federal Reserve, the Treasury Department, and the President must approve a strategic reserve asset.

Bitcoin Price Outlook

On Wednesday, January 29, BTC advanced by 2.27%, reversing Tuesday’s 0.69% loss, closing at $103,667.

BTC’s price trends hinge on upcoming inflation data, spot ETF flows, and crypto-related activity on Capitol Hill.

• Softer inflation numbers on Friday could boost US BTC-spot ETF inflows, driving BTC beyond its record high of $108,231.
• Higher inflation, US BTC-spot ETF outflows, and delays in a US SBR could pull BTC toward $95k.

Market Outlook: Regulatory Activity in Focus

Upcoming regulatory developments will influence crypto market sentiment. The SEC’s appeal and the Bitcoin reserve debate could mark turning points for institutional adoption.

Stay updated with our expert analysis of these developments and their implications for crypto markets. Read more here.