XRP’s Big Moment Arrives by October 18 — Should You Buy Now?

By Rich Duprey Updated Sep 29, 11:02AM EDT · Published Sep 2, 6:55AM EDT

Key Points

XRP’s (XRP) institutional utility makes it a potential financial game-changer, but its price has stagnated below $3.
Investors expected a surge under Trump after the SEC lawsuit ended, but ETF delays have cooled momentum.
Ripple’s stablecoin focus with RLUSD and the October 18 ETF decision are critical for XRP’s future.

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XRP’s Big Moment Arrives by October 18 — Should You Buy Now? — © mayam_studio / Shutterstock.com

XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) — the backbone of the XRP Ledger. is built to revolutionize cross-border payments with lightning-fast transaction speeds and low fees. Its institutional utility makes it a potential financial game-changer, yet its price has stagnated between $2.50–$2.88, unable to breach $3 resistance.

Investors had high hopes under the Trump administration after the SEC lawsuit ended, but ETF delays have cooled momentum. Ripple’s stablecoin focus with RLUSD and the October 18, ETF decision are critical for XRP’s future. Here’s why XRP stands out, the risks involved, and whether now is the time to buy.

XRP, the backbone of the XRP Ledger, is built to revolutionize cross-border payments. Its transaction speeds of 3–5 seconds and fees of ~$0.0002 make it a favorite among banks and financial institutions, with over 300 partners like Santander (processing $10B+ annually via One Pay FX) using RippleNet.

Ripple’s $200M acquisition of Rail in August and the launch of the RLUSD (CRYPTO:RLUSD) stablecoin last December, suggest Ripple may be expanding its focus. RLUSD, backed by BNY Mellon, uses XRP for transaction fees, creating synergy but raising questions about XRP’s future role.

Should investors buy now, betting on a favorable ETF decision and a potential price surge, or wait until the SEC’s verdict is clear, since a negative ruling could cause prices to tumble?

Why XRP Stands Out

Unlike Bitcoin’s (CRYPTO:BTC) decentralized ethos, XRP prioritizes speed and efficiency, settling transactions in just 3 to 5 seconds at $0.0002, compared to Bitcoin’s 10–60 minutes at $1–$10 fees. Ripple’s network, adopted by over 300 financial institutions worldwide, leverages XRP to streamline remittances, offering a cost-effective alternative to systems like SWIFT.

The RLUSD stablecoin, with reserves held in custody by BNY Mellon (NYSE:BK | BK Price Prediction) since July 2025, complements XRP by reducing volatility for institutional users while still using XRP for transaction fees. This synergy could drive demand, especially if spot XRP ETFs from firms like Grayscale and Bitwise gain approval, opening the door to broader investor access.

Feature	XRP	Bitcoin	SWIFT
Settlement Time	3–5 seconds	10–60 minutes	1–5 days
Cost per Tx	~$0.0002	$1–$10	$20–$50
Use Case	Cross-border payments	Store of value	Global wire transfers

The ETF Wildcard

The SEC’s October 18 deadline for spot XRP ETF decisions is a make-or-break moment. Analysts at Bloomberg peg the approval odds at 95% by year-end, buoyed by the SEC’s new leadership under Paul Atkins and the GENIUS Act’s support for stablecoin regulation singed in July. A green light could spark a rally akin to Bitcoin’s 120–160% surge after spot ETFs were approved in 2024, potentially pushing XRP toward $3.50–$5 by 2030.

However, XRP’s price, now at $2.87, faces resistance between $2.87 and $3.74, according to technical analysis, and breaking through the lower level could signal a run to $3.40, but a failure to hold could see it drop toward the $2.17 support level if the SEC delays a decision again or denies the applications.

Hand is turning a dice and changes the direction of an arrow symbolizing that the value of the crypto currency Ripple (XRP) is going up (or vice versa)

Navigating the Risks

XRP’s path isn’t without hurdles. Market volatility, competition from stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDC), and uncertainty over XRP’s role amid Ripple’s stablecoin push cloud the outlook.

Ripple’s pending bank charter application, expected by late October, could bolster its credibility. However, if Ripple shifts its focus to RLUSD, XRP could be sidelined. Technical indicators are mixed, with the 50-day moving average signaling caution. Investors must weigh the potential for explosive gains against the risk of regulatory disappointment.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

For risk-tolerant investors, XRP offers a speculative opportunity before the ETF decision. Approval could unlock significant inflows, boosting prices and validating XRP’s utility. But the SEC’s history of delays and the stablecoin pivot introduce uncertainty.

Conservative investors might wait for clarity, while others could allocate a small 1–2% portfolio position to capitalize on potential upside while managing downside risk, per Vanguard’s crypto guidelines. If approved, scale in at support ($2.50–$2.60); if denied, reassess at $2.20–$2.30.

Key Takeaway

The SEC’s October 18 deadline for spot XRP ETF decisions is a pivotal catalyst. With a crypto-friendly SEC and supportive legislation, approval odds are strong, potentially 95% by year-end, driving XRP’s price and adoption.

Yet, delays or a stablecoin focus could stall momentum. For these reasons, XRP is a speculative buy before the deadline for those comfortable with volatility — but limit exposure to just a small position to hedge against a potential dip below $2.50 if the SEC rules unfavorably.

About the Author Rich Duprey →

After two decades of patrolling the dark corners of suburbia as a police officer, Rich Duprey hung up his badge and gun to begin writing full time about stocks and investing. For the past 20 years he’s been cruising the markets looking for companies to lock up as long-term holdings in a portfolio while writing extensively on the broad sectors of consumer goods, technology, and industrials. Because his experience isn’t from the typical financial analyst track, Rich is able to break down complex topics into understandable and useful action points for the average investor. His writings have appeared on The Motley Fool, InvestorPlace, Yahoo! Finance, and Money Morning. He has been interviewed for both U.S. and international publications, including MarketWatch, Financial Times, Forbes, Fast Company, and USA Today.