XRP price predictions for 2035 suggest a surge to $7.50 amid rising institutional adoption, legal clarity, and ETF optimism. Explore the latest XRP news, Ripple’s evolving strategy, and key market drivers shaping its future.
In a series of pivotal developments, Ripple’s native token, XRP, is making headlines again. From large-scale whale movements to institutional endorsements, legal breakthroughs, and long-term adoption forecasts, XRP appears to be positioning itself at the core of a global financial transformation.
With the cryptocurrency market forecasted to more than double in value over the next decade, XRP could emerge as a dominant force—if ongoing momentum persists.
1 Billion XRP Unlocked as Ripple Adjusts Strategy
On May 3, blockchain analytics firm Whale Alert flagged three massive XRP transactions totaling 1 billion XRP.
The transfers included 200 million, 300 million, and a staggering 500 million XRP, with the latter confirmed to be initiated by Ripple itself. All transactions involved funds released from escrow to unidentified wallets.
Traditionally, Ripple has unlocked 1 billion XRP on the first of every month. However, this month’s release came on the third and followed a slightly altered structure: 700 million XRP was locked back into escrow before the new batch was released—a shift from previous protocol where escrow locking followed token distribution.
These changes reflect Ripple’s efforts to balance XRP liquidity with market discipline. A portion of the unlocked XRP is typically sold on exchanges to support operational costs, while another part is deployed within Ripple’s institutional payment network and distributed to strategic partners.
Rumors of Circle Acquisition Denied by Community
Earlier this week, reports emerged that Ripple offered to acquire Circle—the issuer of USDC—for $4 to $5 billion. After Circle declined, rumors circulated that Ripple had increased its bid to a massive $20 billion.
However, the XRP community swiftly denied these claims, with many users mocking media outlets like CoinTelegraph for perpetuating unfounded narratives.
MasterCard Backs XRP as Cross-Border Bridge
In a major vote of confidence, a leaked MasterCard report titled “Blockchain Technology Fuels New Remittances Business Cases” spotlighted XRP as a viable bridge currency for international remittances.
The report specifically praised Ripple’s partnerships with institutions like SBI Remit and acknowledged the XRP Ledger’s efficiency in eliminating the need for pre-funded accounts—reducing foreign exchange costs and improving global liquidity.
MasterCard’s recognition of XRP strengthens the token’s legitimacy and may signal growing institutional integration, especially in regions underserved by traditional banking systems.
Whale Activity Signals Institutional Repositioning
Despite a dip in on-chain volume—XRP transactions dropped from 800 million to 527 million in April—analysts interpret current whale movements as signs of repositioning. Nearly 300 million XRP changed hands within 48 hours, often a precursor to significant market shifts.
Technical analysts note that XRP is consolidating within a wedge pattern, trading around $2.13. Rising support and falling resistance suggest that the token may be gearing up for a breakout.
Ripple’s Expanding Global and DeFi Footprint
Ripple is rapidly expanding its ecosystem. It recently partnered with Revolut and Zero Hash to challenge stablecoin giants like USDT and USDC.
Other notable collaborations include Portugal’s Unicâmbio for real-time transfers between Portugal and Brazil and South Korea’s BDACS, which will use Ripple Custody for XRP and the Ripple USD stablecoin (RLUSD).
Within decentralized finance (DeFi), Ripple is working with Chainlink to bring RLUSD to Ethereum-based platforms, aiming to integrate seamlessly with both decentralized and institutional finance.
Ripple has also donated $100,000 worth of XRP to California wildfire relief, reinforcing its socially conscious brand.
Media Analysts: XRP Is “Loading,” Not Lagging
Crypto analyst John Squire recently described XRP as “loading”—arguing that market players are underestimating its utility and institutional reach.
With Ripple Payments active in 55+ countries and partnerships with 350+ financial institutions—including Tranglo and Japan’s SBI—Squire believes XRP is uniquely positioned for a sustained bull run.
He also pointed to pending developments such as CME XRP futures and whispers of a BlackRock XRP trust. “XRP is battle-tested, institutionally aligned, legally resilient, and globally deployed,” said Squire.
Ripple’s Legal Battle Nears Resolution
Ripple’s legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is approaching its conclusion. Following a partial victory in 2023, both parties recently filed a joint motion to pause the appeal, signaling the possibility of a final settlement by June 16.
If Judge Analisa Torres lifts the injunction preventing institutional XRP sales and reduces Ripple’s $125 million penalty, several critical developments could follow:
1. The SEC could drop its appeal against XRP programmatic sales.
2. Ripple might withdraw its cross-appeal.
3. Pending spot XRP ETF applications could gain approval.
The new SEC Chair, Paul Atkins, is perceived as more crypto-friendly, further fueling optimism that XRP may soon receive ETF approval.
Price Outlook: Can XRP Hit $7.50 by 2035?
XRP’s performance remains a subject of bullish speculation. While XRP currently trading near $2.19, many analysts expect it to reach $5.75–$7.50 by 2035. This projection implies a return of 160%–240% over the next decade, or an average annual gain of 10%–13%.
Ripple’s integration into global financial infrastructure, rising institutional adoption, and potential ETF approvals could drive this growth.
Notably, XRP has historically outperformed the broader crypto market—gaining 270% over the past three years compared to the overall market’s 72% return. If this trend holds, XRP could continue to surpass expectations.
XRP’s Advantages and Risks
Why XRP Has an Edge:
1. Speed & Cost: XRP settles cross-border payments in seconds at low fees, unlike SWIFT’s slow and expensive system.
2. Infrastructure: XRP Ledger is designed specifically for global payments.
3. Adoption: Ripple’s growing list of global partners indicates increasing acceptance.
4. ETF Potential: Spot ETFs could unlock demand from retail and institutional investors using traditional brokerages.
Risks to Consider:
1. Volatility: Crypto markets are notoriously volatile; investors should prepare for sharp price swings.
2. Regulatory Hurdles: Despite positive momentum, the legal landscape can change quickly.
3. Adoption Lag: Ripple must accelerate institutional onboarding for long-term price growth.
Conclusion: XRP’s Next Decade May Define Its Legacy
With institutional support growing, legal clarity on the horizon, and technical upgrades in progress, XRP is more than just another digital token—it could be the backbone of a new financial era.
If Ripple continues to build bridges across banking systems, and if ETFs gain approval, XRP may not only reclaim past highs but exceed them—potentially reaching $7.50 or more by 2035.
Still, as with all crypto investments, risk management and long-term vision are key. For investors willing to weather short-term volatility, XRP remains one of the most promising contenders in the blockchain revolution.
