Another week has kicked off with the cryptocurrency space in high spirits once more. 2025 has already featured a series of new highs for Bitcoin, which looks on course to set another all-time peak shortly. At the same time, alts are also making headway. Ripple (XRP), for instance, has been gaining momentum and is climbing towards its own all-time high.
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In mid-July, during the buzz surrounding “Crypto Week” in Washington, XRP climbed to a 52-week peak of $3.65, just shy of its all-time record of $3.84. For many crypto investors, the question is no longer whether XRP will break the $4 barrier, but when.
Top investor Dominic Basulto, who’s ranked in the top 2% of stock pros on TipRanks, has a strong idea about when that moment will take place.
“Most likely, XRP will hit $4 by Oct. 1. That’s based on an important event coming up in October that could change the game for the way crypto investors think about XRP,” Basulto went on to say.
So, what exactly is that “important event?” That’s down to the prospect of a spot XRP ETF. Currently, only Bitcoin and Ethereum have spot ETFs, but that could soon change. Several firms, including Grayscale, 21Shares, and Bitwise, have spot XRP ETF applications awaiting SEC decisions between October 18 and 20. If the SEC follows its approach with Bitcoin and Ethereum, approvals or delays will likely happen in bulk. Online speculation suggests the timeline could be accelerated to September due to a recent rule change.
XRP, valued at $195 billion and ranking as the third-largest cryptocurrency behind Bitcoin and Ethereum, now makes up about 5% of the total crypto market. Its size and market position make it appealing to institutional investors, who are expected to be major buyers of upcoming spot XRP ETFs. JPMorgan estimates these ETFs could draw up to $8 billion into XRP by the end of 2025, potentially boosting its price.
As the first approval date of October 18 approaches, Basulto thinks buying pressure is “likely to build.” While other XRP ETFs exist, they rely on derivatives rather than current market prices, yet demand for them has already been strong. “So it’s easy to see this same bullish investor demand carrying over to the new spot ETFs,” Basulto goes on to say.
That said, while spot XRP ETFs could turn out to be valuable for institutional investors, Basulto thinks they are less appealing for individuals. If you already have access to a crypto exchange like Coinbase or a brokerage that offers crypto trading, you can simply buy XRP directly. An ETF mirrors XRP’s price movements but doesn’t give you ownership of the actual asset – only shares in a fund that holds it. Some investors might not mind, but Basulto prefers to hold the asset. Notably, BlackRock, a dominant player in spot crypto ETFs, has no plans to launch a spot XRP ETF.
“That’s just one more reason for me to buy XRP directly,” Basulto summed up. “If all goes according to plan, XRP will hit the $4 mark just as we roll into the final quarter of the year.” (To watch Basulto’s track record, click here)
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured investor. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.