XRP Price Rises as Institutional Momentum Accelerates: ETF Milestone and CME Options Fuel Optimism

The latest developments include a major ETF milestone by REX-Osprey and the launch of new CME Group XRP options, creating a powerful narrative around regulated exposure to the Ripple-linked token.

According to TradingView data, XRP climbed above $2.54 on Saturday, marking a 3.4% daily increase and extending its weekly gains to over 6%. The momentum aligns with rising institutional activity and growing investor confidence that XRP’s next market phase could mirror its historical breakout cycles, similar to the pattern seen in 2017.

REX-Osprey XRP ETF Reaches $100 Million Milestone

The REX-Osprey XRP ETF ($XRPR), the first U.S. spot XRP fund, has surpassed $100 million in assets under management. The milestone highlights increasing demand for regulated XRP exposure among institutional investors.

REX Shares, which manages the product in partnership with Osprey Funds, announced the achievement on October 24. The firm noted that the fund’s rapid growth reflects strong investor appetite for compliant crypto investment vehicles at a time when regulatory clarity around digital assets is improving.

This ETF milestone represents more than just a number – it signals a broadening acceptance of XRP as a mainstream digital asset. The fund provides direct spot exposure, allowing investors to hold XRP without navigating unregulated exchanges or custodial complexities.

CME Expands XRP Derivatives With New Options

Further reinforcing the token’s institutional presence, CME Group revealed that XRP options are now live. The product follows the success of its XRP futures, which debuted in May and have since seen exceptional demand.

In its five-month performance update, CME reported over 567,000 XRP futures contracts traded, representing nearly $27 billion in notional volume and about 9 billion XRP in total. The addition of options allows institutional traders to hedge or speculate more precisely, broadening XRP’s liquidity base across professional markets.

CME emphasized that the new options were launched in response to “incredible demand” from institutions. Combined with the success of the REX – Osprey ETF, this marks the first time XRP has a comprehensive regulated suite covering spot, futures, and options – a trifecta rarely achieved by altcoins outside Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Historical Cycles Draw Comparisons to 2017

Market analysts have also begun to notice patterns between XRP’s current chart structure and its 2017 breakout. A widely circulated post by crypto analyst EtherNasyonal compared the ongoing 2025 consolidation phase to the earlier “re-accumulation” stage before XRP’s massive parabolic rally eight years ago.

The chart suggests XRP could be entering a similar two-phase wave pattern – an early breakout followed by consolidation and a potential second wave rally. While speculative, this historical parallel has fueled bullish sentiment on social media, especially as institutional involvement continues to rise.

Technical indicators reflect cautious optimism. XRP’s RSI sits near 47, suggesting neutral momentum, while the MACD histogram shows early signs of positive crossover. These signals, coupled with higher trading volumes, indicate that traders are gradually positioning for potential upside continuation.

Ripple Expands Ecosystem Through Acquisitions

Adding to the bullish tone, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse announced the completion of the company’s fifth major acquisition in two years. Hidden Road, now rebranded as Ripple Prime, joins a growing list that includes GTreasury, Rail, Standard Custody, and Metaco.

Garlinghouse described these moves as part of Ripple’s long-term goal to “enable an Internet of Value” by integrating liquidity, custody, and institutional-grade infrastructure under one ecosystem. These strategic expansions continue to strengthen Ripple’s position as a fintech leader beyond its XRP holdings, which remain central to its operations.

Derivatives Surge Reflects Institutional Confidence

On derivatives platforms like CoinGlass, XRP’s futures volume rose 8.6% to $5.98 billion, while open interest increased 5.2% to $3.88 billion. Such upticks are often viewed as signs of renewed confidence among leveraged traders and institutional participants.

The alignment of ETF inflows, derivatives expansion, and corporate activity paints a clear picture: XRP is steadily securing its place among the few digital assets with a robust institutional foundation. Investors now have multiple regulated avenues – spot ETFs, CME futures, and CME options – to gain exposure, reducing the reliance on unregulated platforms.

Outlook: Strengthening Institutional Pipeline

As institutional pipelines mature, XRP’s growing accessibility across regulated instruments could drive sustained market interest. The convergence of spot and derivative liquidity, alongside Ripple’s expanding global ecosystem, gives XRP a structural advantage compared to other altcoins.

While short-term volatility remains, the long-term trend appears increasingly supported by institutional legitimacy rather than speculative hype. If current momentum persists, XRP may continue to act as a leading indicator for broader crypto market adoption within traditional finance.