[K-Bridge/Jay Son] As of May 12, 2025, Ripple (XRP) is once again capturing the attention of the global crypto community. Following years of legal turmoil with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the ongoing lawsuit is finally nearing a conclusion—bringing renewed optimism among investors and signaling potential upward momentum for XRP.
Ripple’s legal troubles began in December 2020 when the SEC filed a lawsuit accusing Ripple Labs of conducting an unregistered securities offering by selling XRP. This lawsuit triggered delistings on several major exchanges, led to steep price declines, and created long-standing regulatory uncertainty around the token’s legal classification.
But after nearly five years of back-and-forth legal battles, a significant development occurred earlier this year. A U.S. federal judge ruled that XRP, when sold to retail investors on secondary markets, does not constitute a security. Although not a full exoneration, the decision marks a crucial turning point that could shape the regulatory future of cryptocurrencies in the U.S.
XRP Trading Volume Surges as Investor Confidence Returns
In the aftermath of the favorable court decision, XRP has seen a measurable uptick in trading volume and market activity. According to data from CoinGecko and Binance, XRP’s 24-hour trading volume jumped by over 17% in early May, with prices hovering near $0.65, reflecting a modest yet notable recovery from its recent lows.
What’s particularly striking is the geographic distribution of this renewed interest. Trading activity surged across Asian markets, especially in South Korea and Japan, where XRP has traditionally held strong user bases. Analysts believe that the resolution of legal uncertainties is encouraging both retail and institutional investors to re-engage with XRP as a viable digital asset.
Kevin Lin, a crypto strategist at Blockview Capital, stated:
“The legal clarity—albeit partial—around XRP has given the market something to rally around. The coin is undervalued when you factor in Ripple’s utility and its global payment network.”
Ripple Expands Payment Network Across Asia-Pacific
Beyond the courtroom, Ripple is also actively expanding its core business. Earlier this week, Ripple Labs announced a new series of partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region aimed at bolstering blockchain-based remittance services. The focus areas include high-volume remittance corridors in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Ripple’s payment protocol—RippleNet—is being positioned as an alternative to traditional cross-border payment systems, with key advantages such as faster settlements, lower fees, and higher transparency. The company claims that this network allows banks and fintech firms to offer better international payment services without the delays of legacy SWIFT infrastructure.
This expansion has the potential to substantially increase demand for XRP as a bridge currency, particularly in areas where access to banking infrastructure remains limited.
Legal Clouds Still Linger—But the Outlook Is Brighter
Despite recent positive developments, the lawsuit has not been completely resolved. Some legal questions remain regarding XRP’s status in institutional sales and Ripple executives’ roles in the offering. A final ruling or settlement could still introduce short-term volatility.
However, most market analysts agree that the worst may be over for XRP. The fact that a federal court distinguished between institutional and retail sales of digital tokens sets a precedent that could benefit other cryptocurrencies as well.
Regulatory attorney Sarah Donovan of Donovan Legal Advisory noted:
“We’re starting to see nuanced interpretations of securities law in the crypto space. This could open the door for a more balanced, innovation-friendly regulatory framework in the United States.”
XRP Price Forecast: Can It Hit $1 Again?
With its legal issues partially behind it and new partnerships underway, many investors are asking: Can XRP recover to $1 or higher? While short-term predictions remain uncertain due to macroeconomic factors and Bitcoin’s broader market behavior, the fundamentals for XRP are slowly improving.
On-chain data from Santiment shows increased wallet activity and a spike in whale transactions above $100,000, suggesting accumulation by larger holders. This often precedes market rallies, although the pattern is not guaranteed.
Technical analysis points to a resistance zone between $0.75 and $0.80, and a breakout beyond that level could open the path toward a psychological barrier at $1. However, a strong catalyst—such as full legal closure or a major corporate partnership—might be needed to push it that far.
Final Thoughts: XRP’s Road to Recovery
Ripple (XRP) has weathered one of the most prolonged and high-profile regulatory battles in the crypto space. As of May 2025, the situation is stabilizing, and the token is showing promising signs of recovery—both in price action and in institutional support.
Investors should keep an eye on the final developments in the SEC case, as well as Ripple’s continued expansion into global payment markets. While volatility is to be expected, XRP appears better positioned today than it has been in years.
For those considering XRP as part of their crypto portfolio, now may be a good time to revisit its fundamentals and long-term potential.
