XRP Recharged: Where It Stands in 2025

Key Takeaways

• XRP has gained clarity after the SEC dropped its lawsuit in 2025.
• Ripple is expanding through partnerships, RLUSD, and asset tokenisation.
• Centralisation and stablecoin competition remain major challenges.

A Brief History & Purpose of XRP

XRP is one of the earliest cryptocurrency projects. Launched in 2012 by Ripple Labs, XRP was intended to make cross-border payments faster and cheaper for financial institutions. Unlike many digital assets, it was designed to work with banks and improve on outdated systems such as SWIFT.

That mission faced its toughest challenge in 2020 when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued Ripple, claiming XRP was an unregistered security. The case dragged on for years, leading to exchange delistings and uncertainty about XRP’s future.

Momentum began to shift in early 2025 as the Trump administration introduced a more crypto-friendly approach. In March, XRP was included in a new U.S. strategic crypto reserve, signalling growing institutional recognition. Shortly after, the SEC dropped its lawsuit and appeal, and by August, the case was officially closed with courts confirming that XRP sales on exchanges did not breach securities laws.

News headline from Aug. 9, 2025, about the end of the multi-year legal battle

With its biggest legal battle behind it and regulatory clarity improving, XRP has re-emerged as a major player with a renewed focus on its role in global finance.

The Bullish Case for XRP

Ripple’s Institutional Partnerships

Ripple has built an impressive network of partnerships with banks, payment providers, and remittance companies. One of the most notable is American Express, which has integrated RippleNet’s messaging service to streamline certain international payments. Initially, the service is only available for U.S. enterprise customers sending funds to UK-based businesses that bank with Santander UK.

Although not directly using the XRP token, these partnerships highlight Ripple’s growing presence in traditional finance. If adoption deepens, XRP could become a key settlement asset for global money movement.

Cross-Border Payment Utility

XRP has a clearly defined use case: enabling near-instant, low-cost international payments. This positions it strongly against slow and expensive legacy systems, especially as global commerce continues to demand faster and more efficient settlement options.

Ripple’s USD-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, strengthens this role by offering institutions a stable medium of exchange. Together, XRP and RLUSD may create a powerful ecosystem for global payments.

Ripple Labs is promoting its stablecoin RLUSD on the official X account

Expansion Into Real-World Asset Tokenisation (RWA)

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is increasingly being used for tokenising assets such as real estate, U.S. Treasuries, and commodities. Partnerships with players like Ondo Finance and the Dubai Land Department highlight XRPL’s growing role in bringing traditional assets onchain.

However, most of this progress remains in the pilot stage, with large-scale adoption and trading of RWAs on XRPL yet to be realised.

The Bearish Case For XRP

Centralisation Concerns

There is concern that Ripple Labs maintains too much influence over XRP’s development and supply. Ripple controls about 41.7 billion XRP, or around 42% of the total supply, much of it released gradually from escrow.

This concentration of ownership fuels concerns that Ripple could influence price or liquidity, undermining the decentralisation that many in the crypto community value. It also raises concerns for companies and governments, who may hesitate to hold an asset when a single company effectively owns 42% of its supply.

Fierce Stablecoin Competition

Another major challenge comes from the rapid growth of stablecoins across other blockchains. With the passage of the GENIUS Act in the U.S., regulatory clarity has paved the way for a surge in stablecoin adoption. Most of these stablecoins are issued on networks like Ethereum, TRON and Solana, not on the XRP Ledger.

If stablecoins become the preferred vehicle for payments and settlement, the need to rely on XRP itself diminishes. Unless Ripple can drive greater usage of RLUSD or attract more stablecoin issuers to XRPL, XRP risks being overshadowed in the broader payments ecosystem.

Stablecoins on XRPL are well below other chains

What Lies Ahead for XRP?

XRP’s story has been shaped by both innovation and controversy. As one of the earliest crypto projects, it carved out a unique role in global payments but spent years battling regulatory challenges. With its legal struggles now resolved and the political climate turning more supportive, XRP has regained momentum.

The next chapter will depend on whether Ripple can translate partnerships into real-world adoption, RLUSD growth, and how effectively XRP can establish itself in the growing market for tokenised real-world assets. For now, it remains one of the most closely watched projects in the crypto market.