XRP price has reclaimed the spotlight after jumping over 10% in the last 24 hours, breaking decisively above the $2.50 level. This surge follows a wave of bullish catalysts, including a favorable resolution with the SEC, massive whale accumulation, and explosive trading activity in Asia.
As of May 12, 2025, XRP is trading at $2.61, its highest level in months, and analysts are beginning to ask the big question: Could XRP finally be on track to hit $10 this cycle?
Legal Victory Clears the Path for Bullish Continuation
Ripple’s long-standing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission took a major turn in recent weeks, with the company reaching a $50 million settlement that effectively ends the uncertainty around XRP’s regulatory status in the United States.
This legal clarity has lifted a massive weight off XRP’s shoulders. Institutions that had previously held back due to risk concerns are now re-engaging, while retail sentiment has shifted decisively bullish. With one of crypto’s biggest legal shadows finally lifted, XRP’s fundamentals are getting a full re-rating.
Whale Accumulation Signals Confidence
On-chain data adds more fuel to the rally. According to Santiment, whales have accumulated more than 880 million XRP in the last two weeks — the largest accumulation spike since 2021. Historically, such aggressive buying activity from large holders has preceded major upside moves.
This accumulation is seen as a sign of confidence, particularly in the aftermath of the SEC case. Whales often position themselves early when expecting regulatory clarity to unlock price potential.
XRP Trading Volume Surges in Asia
While U.S. investors digest the regulatory implications, XRP is already exploding overseas. In South Korea, XRP now accounts for over 9% of total trading volume on Upbit, even surpassing Bitcoin and Ethereum at times.
Asian markets have historically been aggressive XRP supporters — and this pattern appears to be repeating. As retail traders and institutions pile in, liquidity is increasing and price momentum is accelerating.
Technical Analysis: Can XRP Price Reach $3… or Even $10?
From a technical perspective, the XRP price has broken out of a 112-day descending trendline, with strong volume confirming the move. The price has now flipped key resistance at $2.50 into support, setting the stage for a potential run toward $3.00 in the short term.
The breakout has formed on a bullish engulfing pattern, paired with a notable spike in volume across major exchanges. The RSI is trending upward without yet entering the overbought zone, suggesting there’s still room to run. Meanwhile, the MACD histogram has flipped bullish on both the daily and weekly charts — a strong momentum indicator.
Source: Tradingview
Some analysts are even more bullish. A symmetrical triangle breakout on the weekly chart points to a possible target between $5.85 and $8.76, while more aggressive projections — based on historical Fibonacci extensions and ETF speculation — suggest a long-term ceiling of $10 to $15.
The broader market sentiment also favors continuation, with altcoins outperforming BTC and risk-on appetite returning across sectors. If the XRP price can maintain momentum above $2.60, a full retracement toward its 2021 highs is not out of the question.
Final Thoughts: XRP May Be Just Getting Started
After years of sideways movement, regulatory uncertainty, and fading hype, XRP price may finally be entering its breakout moment. With legal risks behind it, whales accumulating, and volume booming in Asia, the stars may finally be aligning for Ripple’s native token.
If ETF approval rumors solidify, and institutional adoption continues in payments and settlement use cases, XRP could become one of the best-performing altcoins of 2025.
The road to $10 won’t be easy — but for the first time in a long time, it seems realistic.
