XRP Drops 6% Despite ETF Inclusion; Bull Run Expected Q4 2025

The cryptocurrency market witnessed substantial volatility last week as XRP failed to maintain momentum above key resistance levels. After attempting to break through the $2.80 psychological barrier, the asset retreated sharply, with heavy selling pressure causing a 6% weekly decline that wiped out over $18 billion in market capitalization. The most significant selling occurred in a single day, accelerating the downward trajectory. Technical analysts note that failure to hold the $2.75 support level could trigger further declines toward $2.70, potentially exacerbating bearish sentiment in the short term.

This downturn appears counterintuitive given XRP’s recent milestone inclusion in the Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF alongside major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, and Stellar. This ETF represents the first multi-asset spot crypto ETP in the United States, typically considered a strong bullish catalyst. However, the positive impact was overshadowed by Bitcoin’s simultaneous 7% decline from $117,000 to a three-week low of $108,776. As the market leader, Bitcoin’s performance continues to dictate broader market sentiment, triggering cascading sell-offs across the cryptocurrency spectrum.

Despite current market conditions, several fundamental developments position XRP for a potential strong recovery in the fourth quarter of 2025. The most significant catalyst is Ripple’s application for banking status filed in July 2025. As CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated in a social media post, approval would provide “both state (via NYDFS) and federal oversight, a new (and unique!) benchmark for trust in the stablecoin market.” This regulatory clarity could significantly enhance institutional confidence in Ripple’s ecosystem.

Complementing this regulatory progress is Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, launched in December 2024. Backed 1:1 by traditional assets including US dollars and government bonds, RLUSD offers substantial utility for instant cross-border payment settlements and serves as a bridge between traditional finance and cryptocurrency. Combined with multiple spot XRP ETFs awaiting SEC approval, these developments imbue XRP with unprecedented legitimacy and long-term utility. As Nate Geraci, president of NovaDius Wealth Management, observes, market participants may be underestimating investor demand for spot XRP ETFs once approved.

The upcoming Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting in October also presents a potential market catalyst. Following a rate cut on September 17, analysts anticipate another reduction that could inject liquidity into risk assets, potentially reversing the current bearish trend and propelling XRP toward new all-time highs.

While established cryptocurrencies navigate market turbulence, emerging projects like Maxi Doge ($MAXI) are capturing attention with high-risk, high-reward propositions. The meme token has raised $2.5 million in its ongoing presale, offering tokens at $0.000259 and positioning itself as one of the standout crypto presales of 2025. Unlike traditional Shiba Inu-themed memecoins, Maxi Doge markets itself as a movement for degenerate traders, embracing extreme leverage trading and a “Retire at 22” philosophy that resonates with risk-tolerant investors.

The project offers a dynamic staking APY of 133%, creating additional incentive for participation beyond speculative trading. While fundamentally different from utility-focused assets like XRP, Maxi Doge represents the continued appetite for high-volatility investments during market downturns. The project’s presale performance and community growth suggest potential to rival established meme coins like Dogecoin in terms of market impact, though such investments carry substantially higher risk profiles.