Ripple XRP Price and Prediction Today: What the SEC Case Win and Whale Activity Mean for Investors

Ripple's XRP is once again drawing global investor attention as the cryptocurrency trades around $2.38 amid heightened market volatility.

The token, which recorded an intraday high of $2.83 and a low of $1.89, remains one of the most actively discussed assets in the digital currency market.

XRP's renewed momentum follows Ripple Labs' legal resolution with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in August 2025 and ongoing reports of significant whale activity influencing short-term price movements.

Ripple's SEC Settlement Brings Long-Awaited Legal Clarity

Ripple Labs' victory in its long-running legal battle with the SEC marked a major turning point for both the company and the wider crypto sector.

The SEC's lawsuit, originally filed in 2020, accused Ripple of selling unregistered securities through its XRP token.

After nearly five years of litigation, Ripple reached a settlement in August 2025, agreeing to pay a $125 million (£93.6 million) fine and ending the dispute that had overshadowed its operations.

Market analysts noted that the conclusion of the case brought long-awaited regulatory clarity. The ruling confirmed that XRP sales to retail investors were not securities transactions, reducing uncertainty that had previously deterred institutional adoption.

Trading volumes rose in the weeks following the decision, and sentiment improved as investors viewed the outcome as a precedent for how U.S. regulators may approach other digital assets.

Whale Activity Drives Price Volatility

Despite improved regulatory clarity, XRP's market performance remains volatile. Data from multiple market intelligence platforms shows that large XRP holders, or whales, have been selling up to $50 million (£37.4 million) worth of tokens daily.

This selling pressure has been partly offset by accumulation among medium-sized wallets holding between 100 million and 1 billion XRP.

Analysts say this mixed pattern reflects both profit-taking after the SEC case and strategic repositioning ahead of potential institutional inflows. Some market observers warn that sustained whale selling could push XRP below its key support level of $2.70 (£2), while others argue that renewed accumulation signals growing confidence in the token's long-term fundamentals.

Investor discussions on social platforms such as Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) indicate a divided sentiment, with some predicting a short-term correction and others expecting a rebound once whale activity stabilises.

Technical Indicators Suggest a Narrow Trading Range

From a technical perspective, XRP continues to trade within a consolidation range. Analysts identify resistance around $2.85 to $2.90 (£2.13 to £2.17), with short-term support near $2.70 (£2.02). A decisive break above resistance could trigger renewed bullish momentum, while a failure to hold support might lead to a deeper pullback.

Broader crypto market sentiment, interest rate expectations, and US dollar strength are also influencing XRP's price action. Analysts caution that any shifts in macroeconomic indicators or regulatory commentary could affect investor confidence in the coming weeks.

Investor Outlook

Analysts remain divided on XRP's near-term prospects, but some forecasts point to notable upside over the coming year. According to The Motley Fool's October 2025 projection, XRP could reach $4 (£3) within 12 months if current market momentum continues and institutional adoption strengthens following Ripple's recent expansion efforts.

For investors, the token's trajectory still depends on the interplay between whale-driven volatility and growing institutional confidence. The conclusion of the SEC case has removed a major source of uncertainty, allowing Ripple to pursue broader financial partnerships and infrastructure deals.

Even so, technical indicators suggest that short-term risks remain, particularly if large holders continue to sell or global economic conditions tighten.

Market participants are now closely watching price prediction trends, trading volume, and regulatory signals to determine whether XRP can sustain its recovery and move toward the $4 target forecast for 2026.