XRP News Today: XRP Gains Amid ETF Buzz and Speculation Over SEC Vote; BTC Hovers

SEC Silence Leaves XRP in Limbo

The US Senate confirmed President Trump’s nomination of Paul Atkins as SEC Chair on Wednesday, April 9, strengthening expectations of a crypto-friendly regulatory backdrop. However, the SEC and Ripple kicked the can down the road on April 10, jointly filing a request to suspend the appeal in the SEC vs. Ripple case. The request means that Ripple does not need to file its appeal-related reply brief by Wednesday, April 16.

Pro-crypto lawyers have speculated that the SEC may delay an appeal withdrawal until Paul Atkins officially assumes his role. In February 2025, James ‘MetaLawMan’ Murphy commented on the 60-day stay filing in the SEC vs. Binance case, suggesting Acting Chair Mark Uyeda and Commissioner Hester Peirce wanted to wait for Atkins’ arrival before dismissing the case. Fellow pro-crypto lawyer Bill Morgan referred to the Ripple case, suggesting it would be hard to move before the Commissioners can vote 3-1 to dismiss.

If Acting Chair Uyeda and Commissioner Peirce are indeed waiting for Atkins’ arrival, an appeal withdrawal vote may be imminent. On Monday, April 14, CryptoAmerica host and journalist Eleanor Terrett stated:

“For those asking: Paul Atkins hasn’t taken his seat at the SEC yet. There are a few procedural steps before he can officially start, including President Trump signing off on his appointment and the formal swearing in. This could happen any time over the next few days.”

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently commented on the process, saying:

“We have reached agreement with staff. Usually, what happens is you reach agreement with staff. Staff makes recommendations to the Commission, and then the Commission votes. […] The Commission hasn’t yet voted.”

Outlook for XRP: Appeals and ETF Prospects

On Monday, April 14, XRP gained 0.38%, partially reversing Sunday’s 1.88% loss, closing at $2.1267. XRP tracked the broader crypto market, which rose 0.75%, taking the total crypto market cap to $2.64 trillion.

While reduced US tariffs supported risk sentiment, XRP’s path forward will likely hinge on several critical drivers:

• SEC vs. Ripple Court Filings/Rulings: A formal SEC withdrawal and final judgment settlement could send XRP toward its all-time high of $3.5505.
• XRP-Spot ETF Prospects: Approval of an XRP-spot ETF could attract institutional capital; delays may suppress price momentum.
• Macroeconomic risks: US-China trade tensions and Fed policy shifts could weigh on prices, with a downside risk of $1.70. Conversely, improved data or further tariff relief may support a move toward $3.00.

See our full XRP forecast here.

Bitcoin Advances on US Tariff Developments

XRP’s gains coincided with bitcoin (BTC) also edging higher as investors reacted to President Trump’s tariff pivot. BTC remains sensitive to shifts in US trade policy, tracking both macro sentiment and equity markets. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.64% on the day.

President Trump’s evolving tariff policy has influenced the broader crypto market. Since Trump’s 2025 inauguration, tariff concerns have contributed to a 20% decline in BTC.

ETF Flows Reflect Institutional Anxiety

Concerns about the impact of tariffs on the US economy have left BTC languishing below $100,000 and its all-time high of $109,312. US BTC-spot ETF market flows have reflected institutional investor sentiment, adversely impacting BTC’s supply-demand balance.

According to Farside Investors, flows for April 14 pointed to an eight-day outflow streak:

• Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) recorded net outflows of $35.2 million.
• Nine BTC-spot ETF issuers saw zero net flows.

Excluding BlackRock’s (BLK) pending iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) data, total US BTC-spot ETF outflows reached $35.2 million, with 11 of the last 13 sessions in negative territory.

Despite this, sentiment has recently shifted. Santiment observed a notable uptick in bullish commentary across the crypto community, noting:

‘There has been an increased level of bullishness pouring in from the crypto crowd Monday. Ever since the (still not fully clarified) tariff exemptions announced over the weekend, Bitcoin in particular has had a flood of optimistic calls. This is the highest level of positive (vs. negative) commentary since the day before Trump announced tariffs. […] So watch for FOMO & greed to take over if prices approach $90K this week.”

BTC Price Outlook: Bearish vs. Bullish Scenarios

On April 14, BTC gained 1.01%, partially reversing Sunday’s 1.88% drop, closing at $84,625. Significantly, BTC last broke above $90,000 on March 6, underscoring the influence of BTC-spot ETF flows on investor sentiment.

Key near-term price drivers include:

• Bearish Scenario: Rising geopolitical tensions, recession fears, hawkish Fed tone, sustained ETF outflows, and legislative delays could send BTC below $80,000.
• Bullish Scenario: De-escalation of trade risks, dovish Fed signals, bipartisan support for the Bitcoin Act, and renewed ETF inflows may lift BTC toward $90,000.

Market Outlook: Themes to Watch

Investor sentiment will continue to track:

• Progress in the SEC vs. Ripple proceedings.
• US-China tariff policy shifts.
• Macro data and Fed chatter.
• Crypto ETF flow trends.
• Legislative updates on the Bitcoin Act.

Although the SEC’s latest filing in the Ripple case offers short-term clarity, the longer-term outlook remains tied to regulatory developments and broader economic stability.

Explore what analysts believe is needed for cryptos to reach new highs.