XRP News: XRP Price Spikes 14.28% After SEC Update — Is a $3.30 Comeback on the Horizon?

XRP soared 15% in a day following fresh rumors of a potential XRP ETF and the confirmation of Paul Atkins as the new SEC Chair. The move sparked bullish speculation, especially with signs of regulatory softening around Ripple. But is this a short-term pump or the start of something bigger? As ETF chatter heats up and market sentiment shifts, traders are watching closely. The real question: can the XRP price sustain this breakout and deliver a bullish Q2, or is more volatility ahead?

Signals and Price Reaction 

The XRP rally wasn’t random; it followed a wave of high-impact regulatory developments. The U.S. Senate confirmed crypto-friendly Paul Atkins as SEC Chair on April 9, just days before XRP’s breakout. Traders immediately began pricing in the possibility of a more lenient stance from the SEC, especially in the long-running Ripple case. Further fueling speculation, the SEC and Ripple filed to pause the ongoing appeal, delaying any court response beyond April 16. Many analysts now expect a potential 3–1 vote to withdraw the appeal once Atkins settles in.

Markets responded fast. The XRP network spiked 14.28% in a single day, recovering from sub-$0.95 levels and reclaiming the $2 mark. The rally was supported by sentiment rotation, not just opportunistic trading. With ETF speculation intensifying, investors see this move as strategic re-accumulation. Still, XRP remains nearly 30% below its election-fuelled peak of $3.30. The regulatory path may finally be tilting in Ripple’s favor, but traders are staying alert for any shift in narrative or delay in ETF progress. Let’s take a look at the XRP price prediction to see what this development looks like on the chart.

XRP Price Analysis for April 16, 2025

The 1-hour chart for XRP/USDT shows price approaching a key support zone around $2.05 after a steady decline from the $2.22 resistance. This area previously acted as a launch point for upward moves, and its retest may offer a short-term bounce opportunity. The RSI currently reads 38, entering oversold territory, similar zones previously triggered price reversals. MACD momentum remains bearish, with a recent death cross and a negative histogram, suggesting sellers still have control.

Chart 1: Analysed by vallijat007, published on TradingView, April 16, 2025

The broader structure shows XRP stuck in a range, with support zones at $2.05 and $1.90 and resistance levels at $2.15 and $2.22. A break below $2.05 could open the door to $1.90 and potentially $1.75. However, a bounce from here might target the $2.15 resistance. Market momentum appears weak, and buyers must step in soon to avoid a deeper retracement. Overall, XRP is in a consolidation phase with a bearish tilt, awaiting a catalyst to break this indecisive range.

XRP ETF Hype or Real Breakout Ahead?

XRP’s surge on XRP ETF rumours and regulatory optimism shows how fast sentiment can shift, but follow-through is everything. With the XRP network hovering near key support and momentum fading, bulls need a clear catalyst to sustain upside. The confirmation of a crypto-friendly SEC Chair adds credibility to ETF hopes, but no formal filing or timeline exists yet. Until that changes, XRP’s Q2 outlook remains speculative. A breakout is possible, but for now, it’s all about patience, positioning, and policy.