
Crypto analysts predict a surge to $9 or even $24 within this cycle, while others warn of a potential pullback that could push prices below $1. As the Ripple ecosystem evolves and regulatory clouds begin to clear, the future of XRP may depend on a complex mix of market dominance, political influence, and institutional adoption.
Analysts Eye $9 to $24 Range in 2025
XRP has seen a 17% gain over the past month, outperforming Bitcoin’s modest 2.8% increase. This strong performance has fueled optimistic projections. Influential analyst The Modern Investor expects XRP to climb to $9 by September 2025, implying a market cap of around $500 billion, placing it in the same league as tech giants like Mastercard.
XRP could reach $9 by September 2025, according to a popular crypto prediction. Source: Cryptollica via X
DK64Trades, another respected figure in the Ripple XRP news space, envisions a rally even beyond $10. His model, which factors in historical dominance metrics, suggests a target as high as $17.80. “XRP dominance is currently hovering near 4.3%. If it returns to its 2018 levels above 30%, we could see XRP’s market cap top $1 trillion,” he claimed.
These forecasts are largely contingent on whether XRP can regain a larger share of the overall crypto market—a dynamic often influenced by Bitcoin’s dominance.
Bitcoin Dominance Drop Could Ignite XRP Rally
One of the more technical catalysts being tracked is Bitcoin dominance (BTC.D). According to analyst Capt Toblerone, a major decline in BTC.D could unleash a wave of altcoin investment. “If Bitcoin dominance drops from the current 62.86% to below 20%, it could trigger an altcoin season where XRP becomes a standout,” he explained.
In such a scenario, Toblerone predicts that XRP could rocket to $22. With Bitcoin dominance having already slipped from a peak of 65% earlier in May, some believe the setup for an XRP breakout is forming.
Elliott Wave Analysis Suggests $3.33 Target in Short-Term
From a technical analysis standpoint, crypto strategist Dark Defender sees near-term bullish momentum. His wave analysis indicates that XRP has completed the initial corrective phase and may soon move toward the $2.55 resistance level, followed by a run at $3.33.
XRP has completed its corrective A wave and is now targeting a rise toward $3.33, with key support at $2.35 and resistance at $2.58. Source: Dark Defender via X
“Now A wave has been completed, and we can see a rise toward $2.55. We are heading toward $3.333 after the B and C wave in the 4-hour chart,” he noted. However, support at $2.22 must hold to keep this outlook intact.
Whale Behavior and Downside Risks
Despite optimism, not all signs point upward. A recent report from Cointelegraph highlighted concerns over whale behavior. XRP is currently trading below the average cost basis ($2.58) of major wallet holders. Historically, such situations often precede price corrections.
Chartists also warn of a potential inverse cup-and-handle pattern forming, which could drag XRP as low as $0.67 in a worst-case scenario. The critical support level to watch is around $1.11 — a breakdown below this point may signal a deeper decline.
“If bulls can reclaim $2.58 and sustain above it, we may invalidate the bearish setup,” the report concluded.
Institutional Demand and Utility Strengthen Long-Term Outlook
While short-term risks persist, the long-term XRP price prediction remains bullish, especially among fundamental analysts. Researcher Rob Cunningham envisions XRP hitting $20–$30 in the coming years and potentially reaching as high as $75 by late 2025.
XRP was trading at around $2.37 at press time. Source: XRP Liquid Index (XRPLX) via Brave New Coin
Cunningham bases this on real-world utility, the adoption of the Ripple ledger, and growing institutional interest. Ripple’s $1.25 billion acquisition of prime brokerage Hidden Road in April has also stoked speculation that XRP liquidity could be absorbed by institutional settlement processes.
“If just 30% of Hidden Road’s daily $10 billion trading volume uses the XRP Ledger, that’s over $3 billion in daily transactions potentially backed by XRP,” Cunningham explained. This could lock up over 2.7 billion XRP tokens, effectively reducing supply and driving price pressure.
XRP ETFs and CME Futures Fueling Demand
Further boosting institutional confidence is the imminent launch of CME Group’s XRP futures on May 19. Additionally, 11 XRP ETF applications are under review by the SEC, including Grayscale’s spot XRP ETF, with a decision expected by May 22.
Early signs are promising. The Teucrium 2x Long Daily XRP ETF already boasts $35 million in assets under management, reflecting strong investor appetite for regulated XRP exposure.
XRP Lawsuit Developments Remain a Key Factor
The ongoing XRP lawsuit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission continues to influence sentiment. While Ripple secured partial victories in court, final clarity on XRP’s regulatory status is still pending.
Ripple has accepted the SEC’s settlement offer, with the XRP case set to officially conclude on May 19. Source: Armando Pantoja via X
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse remains confident in a favorable outcome. Any resolution to the XRP SEC conflict could unlock further institutional engagement and lift market uncertainty. “The biggest overhang on XRP’s price remains the SEC’s stance. Once that’s resolved, I expect a flood of adoption,” noted Garlinghouse in a prior interview.
Looking Ahead: Will XRP Crash or Surge?
With bulls and bears presenting equally compelling arguments, XRP sits at a pivotal crossroads. The path to $9 or beyond may require a perfect alignment of macro conditions, including Bitcoin dominance decline, institutional product launches, and regulatory clarity.
Yet the risk of a correction remains real, especially if key support levels break and whale sentiment turns sour.
As always in crypto, the only certainty is volatility. For now, XRP holders are watching $2.58 and $3.33 as short-term targets—while keeping a cautious eye on the looming risk of a downturn.
Stay tuned for more Ripple news and ongoing XRP lawsuit updates as this cycle unfolds.