XRP hits $1.67 as ETF hopes and regulatory shifts boost optimism

XRP surged to $1.67, its highest since May 2021, fueled by speculation over an upcoming XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) and potential regulatory changes at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), according to Decrypt. Global ETF provider WisdomTree recently registered an XRP ETF in Delaware, while Ripple announced plans to invest in Bitwise's rebranded XRP ETP. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse noted rising demand for crypto-backed investments, predicting that a clearer U.S. regulatory environment under the incoming Trump administration will accelerate this trend. Despite ongoing legal battles with the SEC, XRP continues to gain momentum, though it remains 51% below its 2018 all-time high.