- XRP is poised for a major price breakout this year, as sentiment generally improves.
- XRP ETF, RLUSD growth, and Ripple Labs’ IPO are key factors pushing the price up.
A Chainlink ambassador, Ito Shimotsuma, believes an XRP rally in 2025 is inevitable. Shimotsuma highlighted three factors that support an XRP resurgence this year. Notably, XRP has continued on an uptrend, defying bearish market predictions.
Three Factors to Charge an XRP Rally
Before diving into the three factors spotlighted by the Chainlink ambassador, it is important to recall XRP’s journey so far this year. In Q1 2025, the price of XRP experienced a rollercoaster movement, marked by highs and downtrends.
XRP surpassed the $3 mark in January, but soon dropped to the current $2 range. As of this writing, XRP was trading at $2.3, up 7.4% in the past 24 hours. Despite a turbulent Q1, analysts expect massive gains before the year ends.
Shimotsuma highlighted three factors that could ignite an XRP rally: spot ETF approval, RLUSD adoption, and a possible Ripple IPO launch.
Spot XRP ETF
The potential approval of an XRP Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) will mark a key event in the digital asset ecosystem. As we mentioned in our earlier post, 18 firms have filed to list an XRP-based ETF with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The US SEC has acknowledged multiple applications for XRP-based ETFs from major firms, including Grayscale, Bitwise, 21Shares, and CoinShares. While the agency’s acknowledgement does not guarantee approval, market analysts predict a strong likelihood of success.
In a recent study we reported on, Polymarket predicted an 86% likelihood of an XRP ETF approval by December 2025. This prediction signals renewed investor confidence following the Ripple vs SEC legal battle resolution.
Also, the changing regulatory atmosphere under the Trump administration could improve the chances of ETF approval. Some experts have predicted an XRP ETF approval as early as the third quarter of 2025.
Growth in RLUSD Adoption
Secondly, Shimotsuma thinks the fast growth in the adoption of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin will lead to increased revenue. As revenue increases, he expects an upsurge in the price of XRP. Shimotsuma noted that the RLUSD is already off to a good start, with its market cap surging above the $200 million mark.
Indeed, RLUSD has rapidly gained traction on multiple platforms, including Uphold, Bitstamp, and Mercado Bitcoin. As demand for the stablecoin skyrockets, Ripple recently minted $100 million worth of RLUSD in just two days.
RLUSD’s adoption is further strengthened by integrations with platforms like Chainlink, Zero Hash, and Aave. As we covered in our latest report, Aave V3 Core Market integrated RLUSD, simplifying lending and borrowing for its users.
Ripple IPO Launch Expectations
Finally, Shimotsuma noted that a possible Initial Public Offering (IPO) launch would bring mainstream focus on Ripple. Once this happens, the Chainlink ambassador believes the price of XRP will shoot higher.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse previously ruled out an IPO in the US due to regulatory uncertainty. However, recent developments suggest the CEO is shifting his stance. In a previous article, we examined, Garlinghouse hinted at an IPO launch before the end of 2025.
