Author: Maham Arslan

XRP is trading at $2.55 with a 24-hour volume of $8.09 billion, up 8.17% as investors react to the latest Ripple-SEC settlement. Currently #4 by market cap, XRP has a total market value of $149.5 billion with 58.55 billion coins in circulation.

As the dust settles, traders are looking for the next move, with a possible push to $2.70 based on recent charts.

[[XRP/USD-graph]]

Ripple Settles $50M SEC Fine – What It Means for XRP

After a long battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ripple has agreed to pay a $50 million fine to settle its civil enforcement case.

This settlement is part of a broader $125 million penalty and removes a big cloud over XRP’s future. Early rumors suggested Ripple might settle in XRP, but legal experts have clarified that the fine will be paid in cash, already in Ripple’s bank accounts.

This allows Ripple to focus on building its global payment network without the regulatory overhang.

Key Settlement Details:

• Total Penalty: $125 million, $50 million due immediately
• Remaining Balance: Returned to Ripple upon court approval
• Appeal Status: Both sides agree to drop appeals if injunction lifted
• Payment Method: Cash, not XRP, as confirmed by former SEC lawyer Marc Fagel

XRP/USD Technicals – Eyeing $2.70 on Fibonacci Extension

[[XRP/USD]] is strong, breaking above the 61.8% Fibonacci at $2.56383. This level is now support as XRP targets the 78.6% extension at $2.62788, with a more aggressive target at the 100% extension around $2.70947.

Trade:

• Entry: Go long above the 61.8% level at $2.56400
• TP: Target near the 100% extension at $2.70947
• SL: Below the 50% retracement at $2.51885
• Risk/Reward: 2:1, in line with the bullish momentumXRP above 200 EMA, so bullish. Be careful at resistance.

XRP is trading at $2.21 with a 24-hour trading volume of $4.85 billion, up 3.77%. Market cap is $129.31 billion with a circulating supply of 58.5 billion XRP out of a total 100 billion.

This comes as Ripple Labs is close to a breakthrough in its long running legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The regulatory standoff could come to a head at a closed SEC meeting today, May 8, where decisions are expected on enforcement and settlement matters.

SEC Meeting Could Clear Legal Hurdles

The SEC meeting, listed on its public events calendar, includes discussions on the “institution and settlement of injunctive actions.” Legal experts believe this could impact Ripple’s case, potentially lifting the injunction on institutional XRP sales.

If approved, this could also reduce Ripple’s $125 million fine and end the SEC’s appeal of the 2023 Programmatic Sales ruling by Judge Analisa Torres, who found that secondary XRP sales are not securities transactions.

[[XRP/USD-graph]]

This would be a big win for Ripple, clearing the way for broader institutional adoption of XRP, including exchange-traded products (ETPs) and cross-border payment solutions. Ripple’s management has already hinted at a possible settlement, so the SEC may be ready to drop its appeal.

Key points from the case:

• Institutional Clearance: Removal of the institutional sales ban.
• Reduced Fines: Reduction of the $125 million fine.
• Appeal Withdrawal: SEC to drop its appeal, preserving Judge Torres’ ruling.

Technical Analysis – XRP/USD

[[XRP/USD]] is at $2.2095, up after bouncing off the $2.1256 support level. This level is close to an ascending trendline, so bullish. The pair has also cleared the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $2.1576, a key support level that has guided up moves in the past.

Key Levels:

• Immediate Resistance: $2.2418
• Next Resistance: $2.3019
• Major Resistance: $2.3630
• Immediate Support: $2.1576 (50 EMA)
• Key Support: $2.1256 (trendline)

Trade Setup:

• Buy Above: $2.2200 (on sustained volume)
• Take Profit: $2.3019 (previous swing high)
• Stop Loss: $2.1576 (below 50 EMA)

This is a 4% upside with minimal downside risk, a good short-term trade.

Conclusion – Will the SEC Give the Green Light?

As the SEC meeting approaches, XRP’s price will be volatile. A positive outcome could bring in institutions and push XRP to all time high. But wait for volume confirmation before going long.

Ripple just made history. On May 1, the blockchain payments company became the first to get a license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA).

That means Ripple can now operate in the UAE—a region that processes over $400 billion in annual trade and $40 billion in remittances. Big win for Ripple, and a sign the Middle East is becoming a major fintech hub.

The license allows Ripple to offer its Ripple Payments platform under a regulated umbrella, giving businesses in the UAE an efficient, blockchain-powered tool for cross-border transactions.

Since opening its Dubai office in 2020, Ripple’s local base now accounts for 20% of its global customer activity, so the Gulf is clearly important for blockchain adoption.

Blockchain Enters the Mainstream

The DFSA approval isn’t just symbolic—it validates blockchain as a serious tool for international finance. Ripple’s regulatory green light will fuel broader institutional adoption and make Dubai a sandbox for next-gen financial technology.

Here’s what the license enables:

• Faster and cheaper remittance options for businesses
• More trust among banks and regulators
• A clear path for other blockchain companies to get legit

This also puts Ripple as a benchmark for how crypto companies can operate in compliance-first jurisdictions. It’s not just about innovation—it’s about responsible innovation.

[[XRP/USD-graph]]

RLUSD Stablecoin Unleashed

Ripple isn’t stopping with licensing. The company also launched RLUSD, a USD-backed stablecoin for institutions. Think of it as a tool for stable, compliant payments—especially in regions with volatile currencies or slow banking rails.

RLUSD integrates seamlessly with Ripple Payments and is fully backed by dollar reserves. The idea is to offer predictability and speed for businesses doing cross-border settlements.

Why RLUSD matters to UAE businesses:

• Minimizes currency risk
• Cuts transaction costs
• Compliant with DFSA standards

As Gulf countries move towards digital finance, Ripple’s dual rollout—regulated payments and a stablecoin—could accelerate crypto’s role in regional trade.

XRP Price: Waiting for Confirmation

At the moment [[XRP/USD]] is trading at $2.1925 with buyers and sellers in a stalemate. The token is between the 50 EMA at $2.2135 and the 200 EMA at $2.1806, so consolidation. The pivot is at $2.2166 just above the current price.

Resistance levels:

• Immediate: $2.2566
• Next: $2.3150

Support levels:

• Immediate: $2.1806 (200 EMA)
• Next: $2.1264

Until XRP breaks the pivot with volume, this range bound setup is a caution. Momentum is low, wait for confirmation before entering.