In a sea of red across crypto markets, Ripple’s XRP token is riding a wave of bullish momentum that has defied the broader downtrend. The catalyst? A high-profile dinner between Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, signaling deepening ties between the crypto powerhouse and the incoming administration.
XRP Bucks the Trend
While bitcoin, ethereum and most major altcoins saw steep losses on Wednesday, XRP stood out with a gain of over 2%. The Ripple token’s resilience in the face of market headwinds has become a familiar sight since Trump’s election victory in November, with XRP’s price soaring more than 300% as other cryptos struggled to find their footing.
The latest boost came after Garlinghouse shared a photo on Twitter of himself and Ripple Chief Legal Officer Stuart Alderoty dining with the president-elect, along with the caption: “Great dinner last night … Strong start to 2025.” The image of the grinning executives shoulder-to-shoulder with Trump sent an unambiguous message: Ripple has the ear of the next U.S. president, and XRP is poised to benefit.
Analysts Bullish on Ripple
Industry analysts were quick to highlight the meeting’s significance for Ripple and XRP. According to Aurelie Barthere, principal research analyst at blockchain analytics firm Nansen, the Trump connection is yet another “bullish sign” for the token after a string of positive developments in recent months.
“Ripple’s CEO meeting Trump before his inauguration is definitely a bullish sign,”
Aurelie Barthere, Nansen Research Analyst
Barthere pointed to growing anticipation around a potential U.S. exchange-traded fund (ETF) for XRP, which Ripple President Monica Long has said she expects to secure approval this year, as well as the firm’s newly launched U.S. dollar stablecoin, RLUSD, which received regulatory greenlight in December ahead of its listing on the Bitstamp exchange this week.
Institutions Eyeing XRP
The combination of high-level political access, an XRP ETF on the horizon, and the rollout of Ripple’s native stablecoin has institutional investors taking a fresh look at the token, according to Zahreddine Touag, head of trading at Paris-based market maker Woorton.
“We’re seeing a bias towards buying XRP from our franchise this week, mainly from retail brokers and crypto native funds. This could be because of the positive news lately coming out from the Ripple foundation, namely the potential XRP ETF listing and launch of the RLUSD stablecoin.”
Zahreddine Touag, Woorton Head of Trading
Regulatory Tailwinds
Ripple’s string of wins on the regulatory front have bolstered confidence in XRP’s long-term prospects. The firm scored a crucial victory in its ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission last July, and has since settled parallel suits brought by the CFTC and DOJ. With those clouds lifting, Ripple appears to have a freer hand to execute on its ambitious roadmap.
Now, with its stablecoin entering circulation and an ETF potentially around the corner, Garlinghouse’s high-profile Trump sit-down suggests Ripple is determined to press its advantage. While rivals like Coinbase have taken pains to project political neutrality, the Ripple chief seems more than willing to cozy up to the powers that be.
Looking Ahead to 2025
With Trump preparing to take office, all eyes are on how his administration’s priorities could impact the crypto landscape in the coming years. While the president-elect has blown hot and cold on digital assets, he’s spoken favorably about the need for a “Crypto Dollar” to bolster the greenback’s global stature – music to the ears of stablecoin issuers like Ripple.
Meanwhile, Trump’s selection of crypto-friendly Congressman Warren Davidson as White House Chief of Staff has raised hopes of a more constructive regulatory approach after years of gridlock. Davidson, who’s pushed for clearer rules of the road, could help advance measures like the proposed Digital Commodity Exchange Act that would bring greater clarity to token issuer compliance obligations.
Can XRP Extend Its Surge?
As for whether XRP’s epic post-election rally has staying power, market observers are waiting to see if new developments emerge to keep the momentum going. With much of the good news already baked into prices, some analysts warn the token could be due for a breather.
“We expect ongoing softening in the U.S. labor market that should put a lid on U.S. rates and help crypto, including the XRP price, that is participating in the same move…”
Aurelie Barthere, Nansen Research Analyst
Still, with its stablecoin launch underway, a who’s who of institutional backers, and an inside track to the next U.S. president, Ripple looks well-positioned to thrive amid the shifting tides of crypto regulation and adoption. If the stars align for an XRP ETF approval in the year ahead, Garlinghouse and team could have plenty more to smile about.
