$XRP is nevertheless still up more than 15.8% over the past week and is the third-largest digital asset by market capitalization with a $139 billion market cap, above Tether’s $137.5 billion market cap.
The cryptocurrency market’s surge has been largely attributed to expectations of a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment under President-elect Donald Trump. Anticipated policy shifts, including the establishment of a strategic Bitcoin reserve and the appointment of Paul Atkins as head of the SEC, have boosted investor confidence.
Additionally, the approval of spot bitcoin exchange-traded funds early last year has made digital assets more accessible, further contributing to the market’s upward momentum.
The rise also comes at a time in which corporate bitcoin holders are doubling down on the flagship cryptocurrency, with MicroStrategy announcing plans to raise up to $2 billion through preferred stock offerings to fuel additional BTC purchases this year.
Trump’s pro-crypto stance has seen many speculate that $XRP could soon see the launch of a spot ETF offering exposure to it. Several companies have already filed for spot $XRP ETFs, including Bitwise, Canary Capital, WisdomTree, and 21Shares. Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse has suggested such a fund is “just inevitable.”
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