XRP News Today: Institutional Demand Lifts Price Above $3 Amid ETF Buzz

Institutional Demand Pushes XRP Beyond $3

Is a perfect storm brewing for XRP? Institutional demand sent XRP above the psychological $3 level. VivoPower International Plc. (VVPR) announced an XRP-focused digital asset treasury strategy on Thursday, October 2.

According to the press release, the Nasdaq-listed company has agreed to a private capital raise with certain investors at $6.05 per share. The company will use the approximately $121 million in proceeds to launch an XRP-focused digital asset treasury strategy.

VivoPower expects XRP to become a component of the United States Digital Asset Stockpile.

VivoPower Leads XRP Treasury Strategy

His Royal Highness, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Talal Al Saud, Chairman of Eleventh Holding Company in Saudi Arabia, will spearhead the private offering, stating:

“We are honored to be leading this capital raising for a company that will be the first in the world executing on an XRP–focused treasury strategy. Having met with President Trump and his leadership group during their recent visit to Saudi Arabia, we believe the timing is appropriate for digital assets and blockchain technology to be rolled out in the Kingdom and we are delighted to be assisting VivoPower in this regard.”

Blue-chip companies’ demand for XRP as a treasury reserve asset will be crucial for its longer-term price outlook. Sticky institutional investors holding XRP could lower price volatility and boost retail and institutional demand.

Spot ETF Decisions on the Horizon

For traders: keep an eye on October 18—this could be XRP’s ETF moment.

Thursday’s announcement came as traders were awaiting the final decision deadlines for seven XRP-spot ETFs.

21Shares, Bitwise, Canary Capital, CoinShares, Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, and WisdomTree have filed for XRP-spot ETFs. Final decision deadlines range from October 18 to November 14.

The recently approved Generic Listing Standards for Commodity-Based Trust shares, and the withdrawal of 19b-4s, have fueled bets on all seven ETFs launching on October 18. The SEC must approve the recently amended S-1s for XRP-spot ETFs to begin trading.

In January 2024, the SEC approved all ten S-1s for the BTC-spot ETFs on the final decision deadline (January 10, 2024), allowing trading to start the following day. Similarly, the SEC could greenlight all seven ETFs on October 18 to eliminate any first-to-market advantage.

Government Shutdown Adds Regulatory Uncertainty

While bets remain on an October 18 simultaneous launch, a prolonged government shutdown could force the SEC to push back final approvals. Republicans and Democrats were still at an impasse on October 2. XRP rallied 28% in the first three days of the 2018-2019 shutdown and has followed a similar price trajectory early in the 2025 shutdown.

Historically, shutdowns have led the Fed to take a more dovish policy stance, lifting bets on October and December rate cuts. Expectations of lower borrowing costs have boosted demand for risk assets such as XRP.

Price Action & Technical Analysis: Can Bulls Target the $3.66 All-Time High?

XRP climbed 3.15% on Thursday, October 2, following the previous day’s 3.57% rally, closing at $3.0407. The token outperformed the broader market (2.25%) and broke above the psychological $3 level.

Traders are watching the following technical levels:

• Support: $3, $2.8, $2.5.
• Resistance: $3.2, $3.32, $3.66 (all-time high).

In the near term, several key drivers could dictate price trends:

• XRP ETF flow trends.
• Spot ETF headlines: Listing and launches or delays of crypto-spot ETFs, and BlackRock’s stance on an iShares XRP Trust.
• Blue-chip companies adopt XRP for treasury reserve purposes.
• Regulatory milestones: Ripple’s application for a US-chartered bank license, the Market Structure Bill, and SWIFT-related developments may also influence sentiment.

Catalysts & Scenarios

The combination of ETF flows, regulatory news, and demand from blue-chip companies could dictate whether XRP tests key support levels or breaks down resistance.

Bearish Scenario

• GDLC, BITW, and XRPR ETFs report outflows, and BlackRock downplays plans for an XRP-spot ETF.
• SEC delays XRP-spot ETF launches.
• Roadblocks or delays to crypto-friendly regulations, including the Market Structure Bill.
• Blue-chip companies denounce XRP as a treasury reserve asset.
• OCC delays or rejects Ripple’s US-chartered bank license.
• SWIFT keeps its market share in global remittances, limiting Ripple’s market access.

These bearish scenarios could push XRP below the $3 level, exposing $2.8. A break below $2.8 would bring the $2.5 support level into sight.

Bullish Scenario

• BITW, GDLC, and XRPR record robust demand.
• BlackRock files an S-1 for an iShares XRP Trust, and the SEC greenlights XRP-spot ETFs.
• Blue-chip companies acquire XRP for treasury purposes, and more payment platforms adopt Ripple technology.
• Ripple secures a US-chartered bank license, and the Market Structure Bill passes the Senate.
• SWIFT loses market share of global remittances to Ripple.

These events could drive XRP toward $3.2, with a breakout supporting a move toward $3.3.

The Big Question: Will ETFs Launch Together?

The government shutdown, which began on September 30, has already delayed the launch of the Canary Capital Litecoin ETF on October 2. A prolonged shutdown could further delay ETF approvals.

However, the delay could enable the SEC to approve the S-1s for all the crypto-spot ETFs as soon as lawmakers pass the stopgap spending bill to fund the government until November.

If the shutdown ends quickly, allowing the Litecoin ETF to launch ahead of other crypto ETFs could give it a first-to-market advantage. However, legislative developments will also be crucial for XRP’s price outlook. The Market Structure Bill will need to progress on Capitol Hill to bolster demand for XRP.

Analysts will closely monitor how regulatory risks influence XRP’s price outlook in the coming weeks.