XRP Reserves Surge to 7-Month High as SEC Delays ETF Verdict

XRP just smashed through a key milestone with exchange reserves climbing to their highest point in seven months, even as U.S. regulators pump the brakes on spot ETF approvals. This sudden spike hints at big moves ahead for the crypto, but the SEC’s latest delay to November 2025 leaves investors hanging. What’s driving this wild ride?

Reserves Jump Amid Market Buzz

XRP reserves on major exchanges have rocketed to 16.36 billion tokens, marking a seven-month peak. This surge reverses a steady drop that started last November, when holdings fell from 18.2 billion to just 13 billion by early September 2025. Data from analytics firm CryptoQuant shows a massive influx of 3.3 billion XRP poured into exchanges over just two days.

Traders often watch reserve levels closely because they can signal upcoming selling pressure. When more coins hit exchanges, it might mean holders are gearing up to cash out. But in XRP’s case, this buildup comes right as the token holds firm above $3, boasting a market cap of around $180 billion.

The timing feels electric. Community chatter points to speculation around potential ETF approvals, which could open doors for mainstream investors. Yet, not everyone sees this as a pure win. Some analysts warn that higher reserves could lead to short-term dips if sellers flood the market.

SEC Puts Brakes on XRP ETFs

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has extended its review of several spot XRP ETF proposals, pushing the deadline for Franklin Templeton’s application to November 14, 2025. This isn’t the first delay; similar holds have hit filings from firms like Bitwise, Grayscale, and others, with some decisions now slated for October.

Regulators cite the need for more time to evaluate risks and market impacts, a common move in the crypto space. XRP’s legal battles with the SEC over whether it’s a security add extra layers of scrutiny. Ripple, the company behind XRP, won a partial victory in court last year, but uncertainty lingers.

Investors feel the pinch. Delays like this can cool off hype and keep prices in check. Still, XRP’s price has stayed resilient, trading steadily above $3 despite the news.

For everyday holders, this means waiting longer for the kind of institutional boost that Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs brought. Those products pulled in billions, lifting their markets. If XRP follows suit, it could transform how people use and value the token in cross-border payments.

Price Stability and What It Means for Traders

Even with reserves ballooning and regulatory hurdles, XRP’s price has held strong at about $3.03. That’s impressive given the broader crypto market’s ups and downs. The token’s market cap sits at $180 billion, putting it among the top players.

Why the stability? Part of it ties to XRP’s real-world use in fast, cheap transactions through Ripple’s network. Banks and payment firms already lean on it, which provides a buffer against pure speculation.

Traders should note a few key factors:

• Rising reserves often precede volatility, as seen in past crypto cycles.
• ETF speculation keeps hope alive, with some experts betting on approvals by late 2025.
• Global adoption trends show more institutions eyeing XRP for efficiency.

This mix creates opportunities. For instance, if reserves keep climbing without a price crash, it might signal strong buyer interest absorbing the supply.

One recent study from Chainalysis, released in August 2025, highlighted how exchange inflows like this have predicted 15% average price swings in altcoins over the past year. That data underscores the need for caution.

Broader Impacts on Crypto Landscape

This reserve spike and ETF delay ripple out beyond XRP. The whole crypto world watches how the SEC handles these products, as it sets precedents for others like Solana or Cardano.

If approvals come through, XRP could see inflows topping $10 billion in the first year, per estimates from Bloomberg Intelligence in their July 2025 report. That would supercharge liquidity and draw in retirement funds or cautious investors who avoid direct crypto buys.

On the flip side, prolonged delays might push innovation overseas. Europe and Asia have moved faster on crypto regs, potentially leaving U.S. markets behind.

This table captures the rapid shift, based on CryptoQuant tracking. It shows how quickly sentiment can flip in crypto.

For regular folks dipping into digital assets, these developments affect portfolio choices. A stable XRP amid uncertainty offers a safer bet compared to more volatile coins, but the wait for ETFs could test patience.