XRP News Today: ETF Silence and Regulation Weigh on Gains; BTC Hits New ATH

XRP-Spot ETF Silence Puts XRP on Profit-Taking List

XRP lags the broader crypto market rally—and the silence from regulators may be to blame. As Bitcoin (BTC) hits new highs and Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) race to fresh highs on a demand for ETFs, XRP’s momentum has stalled, leaving traders asking: how long can the token hold its ground before the next big catalyst arrives?

Notably, XRP struck a Friday, August 8, high of $3.3826 as investors reacted to the Joint Stipulation of Dismissal filing in the SEC vs. Ripple case.

Since then, XRP succumbed to profit-taking, with a four-day losing streak before steadying. Modest gains on Wednesday, August 13, contrasted with the broader market, which climbed 2.68%, lifting the total crypto market cap to an all-time high of $4.11 trillion.

Notably, Bitcoin (BTC) rose to a high of $122,970 (Binance Exchange) on August 13, while ETH rallied 3.39%, nearing its 2021 record high of $4,870. SOL jumped 5.04%, breaking above $200 for the first time in six months.

These three tokens have one commonality: SEC-approved spot ETFs. In contrast, the SEC issued stay orders on multi-crypto-spot ETFs with XRP exposure and remains silent on pending XRP-spot ETF applications. This silence has contributed to XRP trailing the broader market in August to date.

Month to date, ETH and SOL are up 28% and 17%, respectively, while XRP has gained 8%. Inflows into ETH and SOL-spot ETFs have contributed to the price gains.

Regulatory Risk Lingers After Ripple Letter

However, regulatory uncertainty may be another factor contributing to XRP trailing the broader market. On Tuesday, August 5, Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty sent a letter to Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Chairman Tim Scott, criticizing the digital asset market structure bill. Crucially, Alderoty highlighted the bill exposing cryptos to administration changes and future enforcement, stating:

“There is no objective statutory endpoint, leaving market participants dependent on discretionary SEC action to terminate oversight. While we may hope that the current Commission will act in good faith, changes in administration can bring shifts in enforcement priorities and interpretations.”

XRP remains highly sensitive to US regulatory developments. Barring the surprise approval of XRP-spot ETFs, regulatory uncertainty could leave the token on ice until Congress returns from recess in September.

Beyond regulatory risk and the absence of XRP-spot ETF approvals, several key events could trigger an XRP breakout. These include Ripple obtaining a charter bank license and successfully competing against SWIFT for global remittances. These events could boost XRP adoption, potentially fueling a price breakout to new record highs.

XRP Price Outlook: Banking Licenses and Spot ETFs Key to Next Breakout

XRP rose 0.14% on Wednesday, August 13, building on the previous session’s 4.31% rally, closing at $3.2721.

In the near-term, XRP’s price outlook hinges on several key catalysts, including:

• XRP-spot ETF news.
• Ripple’s progress in obtaining US charter bank license.
• SWIFT-related updates.
• Legislative developments.

A breakout above the crucial $3.3 resistance level opens the door to testing the $3.5 mark. A sustained move through $3.5 may enable the bulls to target the July 18 all-time high of $3.6606 (Binance Exchange).

However, a drop below $3.2 may expose the psychological $3 support level. If broken, the bears could test the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA).

Explore our full XRP forecast here for key breakout zones and timing insights.

Fed Rate Cut Bets and Bitcoin Treasuries Drive BTC to New All-Time High

While XRP remained below its record high, BTC rallied to a record high of $123,731 (Binance Exchange) on Thursday, August 14. US BTC-spot ETF market inflows, rising demand for Bitcoin Treasuries, and expectations of multiple Fed rate cuts have sent BTC to fresh highs.

The US Jobs and CPI Reports have cemented bets on a September Fed rate cut, boosting demand for risk assets. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, the chances of a September Fed rate cut have surged from 60.4% to 100% in one month. Significantly, markets are also expecting further monetary policy easing in Q4.

On Wednesday, August 13, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent joined the chorus, calling for more aggressive Fed rate cuts, fueling speculation about multiple Fed policy moves.

Meanwhile, institutional demand continues to tilt the supply-demand balance in BTC’s favor. HODL15 Capital reported BTC purchases close to outstripping weekly supply, stating:

“It’s only Wednesday, but the weekly stackers bought almost the entire weekly new supply.”

BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust, Metaplanet, Smarter Web, and H100 have acquired 2,948 BTC versus the weekly supply of 3,150 BTC.

Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG.com, remarked:

“Bitcoin’s rally is being powered by institutional flows and macro tailwinds. Corporate treasuries like MicroStrategy and Block Inc. continue to buy Bitcoin while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s calls overnight for a 50bp Fed rate cut in September, and suggestions that the Fed funds rate is 150-175bp too high is fuelling expectations of looser policy.”

US BTC-Spot ETF Market Eyes Six-Day Inflow Streak

Continued demand for BTC-spot ETFs has contributed to BTC’s latest breakout. According to Farside Investors, key flow trends for Wednesday, August 13, included:

• ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (ARKB) reported net inflows of $36.6 million.
• Fidelity Wise Origin Bitcoin Fund (FBTC) had net inflows of $26.7 million.

With BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust flow data pending, total US BTC-spot ETF inflows reached $86.9 million, potentially extending the inflow streak to six sessions. BTC flow trends remain crucial to the token’s price trajectory.

BTC Price Outlook: US Data, Fed, and Spot ETF Flows in Focus

Bitcoin rallied 2.28% on Wednesday, August 13, following the previous session’s 1.1% gain, closing at $122,741.

Several key events will dictate the near-term price trajectory. These include:

• Fed monetary policy stance.
• US producer prices and jobless claims.
• Legislative developments on Capitol Hill.
• BTC-spot ETF flows.

Potential scenarios:

• Bearish Scenario: Legislative setbacks, stronger US economic data, hawkish Fed signals, and ETF outflows. A combination of these may push BTC below $120,000, exposing the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA).
• Bullish Scenario: CLARITY Act’s progress on Capitol Hill, softer US data, dovish Fed cues, and ETF inflows. In this case, BTC could target $125,000.

Key Market Drivers to Fuel or Derail a Breakout

Traders should monitor the following key events to determine whether XRP and BTC climb to new all-time highs:

• XRP-spot ETF headlines.
• Legislative news: The CLARITY Act.
• US Economic Data.
• Fed commentary: Hawkish or dovish signals.
• ETF market flows: Flow trends crucial for BTC’s supply-demand balance.

See where analysts expect XRP and BTC to head as legal and political risks evolve.