XRP Price Prediction: Will the Native Token of Ripple Labs Bounce Back From Its Recent 37% Crash?

Known for its focus on transforming global payments and remittances, Ripple has experienced significant ups and downs in recent months.

In the swirling cauldron of cryptocurrency, few assets have commanded as much attention as XRP, the native token of global payments behemoth Ripple. Known for its cutting-edge technology and vision to revolutionize cross-border remittances, Ripple has experienced a rollercoaster ride in recent months. After a thrilling surge to $3.4 in January, the price of XRP has crashed by over 37%, recently hitting lows of around $2. This dramatic drop has left many wondering what the future holds for XRP in April and beyond.

After a stellar first quarter that saw the resolution of its long-running legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a surge in interest from financial institutions regarding a potential spot XRP Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), the outlook for the cryptocurrency remains uncertain.

To fully understand the implications of this crash and what it could mean for the future of XRP, let’s delve into the events that led up to this point and the factors that could influence the price of XRP in April.

A Quarter of Legal Victories and Unfulfilled Potential Despite the hype surrounding a potential price breakout to $5 or higher earlier this year, fueled by rumors of a pending Bitcoin price prediction from Cathie Wood and a rally in the broader cryptocurrency market, the story of XRP in Q1 ultimately unfolded quite differently.

After years of legal woes and a threat of a complete ban on U.S. participation in the blockchain and crypto industry, the SEC finally settled its case with Ripple. The case, which began in December 2020 with the SEC’s accusations that Ripple Labs had sold unregistered securities to investors when it raised billions in 2013, revolved around the classification of XRP. The SEC maintained that XRP, as a digital asset, should be classified as a security, rendering it subject to strict regulatory oversight.

However, Judge Analisa Torres ruled in favor of Ripple, deciding that XRP sold to individuals was not a security. This ruling was a major win for Ripple and its supporters, as it set a precedent for how regulators may treat similar cases in the future. Nonetheless, the case wasn’t entirely settled in Ripple’s favor. While the court agreed with Ripple on the securities issue, it also ruled that the company had violated certain laws and imposed a $250 million fine on the company.

This legal battle had a significant impact on the price of XRP. As the case progressed, there were hopes that a swift settlement could lead to a surge in the price of XRP. However, despite securing a favorable ruling on the securities issue, the final verdict wasn’t entirely positive for Ripple.

After months of legal back-and-forth, both the SEC and Ripple agreed to settle the case in March, with the SEC withdrawing its appeal. Ultimately, Ripple will pay $50 million in fines and the SEC will not pursue further action, bringing a conclusion to one of the most closely watched cases in the cryptocurrency industry.

This finality in the case could be crucial for Ripple to move forward and forge partnerships with U.S.-based companies that had previously been hesitant to get involved due to the pending litigation. As Ripple seeks to expand its footprint and compete with traditional financial networks like SWIFT, this newfound freedom from legal constraints could be pivotal in its long-term success.

A Game-Changer: Towards Institutional Involvement with a Spot XRP ETF

Another noteworthy development for Ripple in the first quarter was the surge in interest from financial institutions regarding a potential spot XRP Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF). Several major firms, including Canary, Fidelity, and Grayscale, have applied for approval to launch a spot XRP ETF.

The approval of such an ETF would be a game-changer for Ripple, as it would open the door to institutional investors, who have been hesitant to invest in XRP due to regulatory concerns. However, the odds of the SEC approving a spot XRP ETF in the near future remain high, with analysts estimating a probability of 85% or more.

Such approval could provide a significant boost to XRP’s liquidity and market visibility, paving the way for more capital inflows from Wall Street and beyond. If the ETF approval comes to fruition in April or the second quarter, it could provide a strong catalyst for XRP’s price to recover from its current slump.

Network Growth and New Use Cases on the XRP Ledger

XRP’s price isn’t the only aspect of Ripple’s business that has shown positive growth in Q1. The XRP Ledger, the blockchain that powers XRP and various other Ripple-based projects, has also seen interesting developments.

Most notably, Ripple USD (RLUSD), a stablecoin issued on the XRP Ledger, has experienced impressive growth, with its market cap reaching $243 million in Q1, cementing its position as one of the more popular stablecoins within the industry.

Additionally, other major players within the XRP Ledger ecosystem, such as Sologenic, Coreum, and Salute, have contributed to the network’s expansion