Ripple Effect

The Ripple Effect - 8/25/25

The Ripple Effect

25 Aug 2025 — 3 min read

XRP Price: $3.03 (-0.66% 24h) | Market Cap: $180.13B

Major milestone achieved today as Gemini officially launches its XRP-branded credit card in partnership with Ripple and Mastercard. The card offers up to 4% cashback in XRP and represents a significant step toward mainstream XRP adoption. This launch coincides with multiple XRP ETF amendments filed following the formal closure of the Ripple-SEC case, setting the stage for potential institutional approval by October 2025.

Market Update

Price & Volume:

Current Price: $3.03 USD
24-hour Change: -1% decrease from $3.05
Weekly Performance: -2% down from $3.09
Market Cap: $180.13B (maintaining #3 position)
24h Volume: $6.41B
Circulating Supply: 59.48B XRP

Technical Analysis: XRP is consolidating around the psychological $3.00 support level. Technical indicators suggest a bullish sentiment with 75% of signals positive, though some analysts expect potential consolidation with a possible drop to $2.98 minimum in August. The Fear & Greed Index shows neutral sentiment at 53.

Key Developments

🚀 Gemini XRP Credit Card Launch

Historic Partnership Goes Live: Gemini has officially launched its XRP-branded credit card in partnership with Ripple and Mastercard, offering up to 4% back in XRP on fuel, EV charging, and rideshare expenses, 3% on dining, 2% on groceries, and 1% on all other transactions. Select merchants will offer as much as 10% back in XRP on eligible purchases.

Major Financial Backing: The XRP Mastercard is backed by $75 million from Gemini, Ripple, and Mastercard, with initial pilot programs planned in Thailand targeting the global tourist market. The card converts XRP to local currency for payments with 1% fees and seconds-fast transactions.

Market Response: Community reaction has been largely positive, with the announcement generating over 1.7 million views, 3,100 reposts, and 10,000 likes on social media.

⚖️ Legal & Regulatory Developments

SEC Case Formally Closed: A federal appeals court issued a mandate formally dismissing the US Securities and Exchange Commission's long-running case against Ripple Labs, cementing XRP's legal status.

XRP ETF Progress: Seven asset managers, including Grayscale and Franklin Templeton, submitted amended registration statements for XRP ETFs following the court victory. The SEC has delayed final decisions on XRP ETF applications until October 2025, with Bloomberg's ETF team pegging approval odds near 95%.

🏦 RLUSD & Partnership Expansion

Strategic Alliance Details: Ripple has provided a $75M credit line to Gemini, with additional draws potentially using Ripple's regulated RLUSD stablecoin. Both companies are aligning with EU MiCA compliance via new licenses.

Ecosystem Growth: Ripple's stablecoin RLUSD has gained traction with over $600 million in market capitalization, though most activity currently occurs on Ethereum rather than XRPL.

Notable Mentions

Industry Recognition: Cameron Winklevoss actively promoted the XRP card launch, stating, "Behold, the XRP edition of the @Gemini Credit Card! Earn up to 4% back in XRP every time you swipe".

Analyst Predictions: Technical analysts project XRP could surge 80% to reach $5.50 based on Fibonacci extension analysis and pending SEC regulatory clarity expected by mid-August 2025.

Institutional Activity: Recent trading sessions saw unprecedented volume spikes, with XRP experiencing a $33 million volume surge within a single minute while whale addresses executed over $2.10 billion in sell flows.

Looking Ahead

Key Catalysts:

October 2025: SEC final decision on XRP ETF applications
Q4 2025: Potential expansion of XRP credit card beyond Thailand pilots
Ongoing: RLUSD adoption and integration across Ripple's ecosystem

Market Expectations: Analysts anticipate institutional money inflows could drive XRP to new all-time highs by end of 2025, with the credit card launch providing a practical use case for mainstream adoption.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any securities. XRP and cryptocurrency investments carry significant risks including potential total loss, extreme volatility, and regulatory uncertainty. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Unless we have a formal advisory agreement, I am not acting as your investment adviser. Consult a qualified financial professional and conduct your own research before making investment decisions.