XRP’s long battle against market resistance could be reaching its most pivotal moment yet. According to crypto investor and analyst STEPH IS CRYPTO, the XRP/BTC pair is now testing the edge of an eight-year downtrend, and the combination of regulatory clarity, institutional momentum, and network upgrades makes this setup impossible to ignore.
Technical Setup: An Eight-Year Compression
Since 2017, XRP has traded under a descending trendline that has capped every major rally against Bitcoin. This structure has now tightened into a wedge pattern, with XRP/BTC pressing against resistance that has held firm for nearly a decade.
A decisive breakout above this trendline would mark a technical turning point, flipping long-term resistance into support and opening the door to significant outperformance relative to Bitcoin. Market analysts view this compression as the strongest structural setup XRP has presented in years, with the potential to reset the narrative around its long-term trend.
XRP/BTC is about to smash through its 8-yr downtrend.
6+ spot XRP ETF approvals coming.
Partnerships with Japan's SBI holdings.
The Ripple-SEC case has officially ended.
XRPL massive upgrades coming.If there's one large cap which is about to pump hard, it's gonna be $XRP. pic.twitter.com/Q9k9H1S40H
— Gordon (@AltcoinGordon) August 23, 2025
Institutional Catalysts: ETFs Poised to Reshape Liquidity
The institutional landscape is evolving rapidly. ProShares’ 2x leveraged XRP futures ETF launched in July, marking the first XRP-linked product of its kind on a major U.S. exchange. Meanwhile, over half a dozen spot XRP ETF applications are currently under SEC review, with critical deadlines slated for October.
Approval would unleash a wave of institutional demand similar to what Bitcoin experienced earlier this year, while any delays could inject short-term volatility. Either way, anticipation around these filings has already fueled greater market activity.
Strategic Partnerships: SBI and Ripple’s Expanding Reach
Beyond speculation, Ripple continues to deepen its institutional footprint. In Japan, SBI Holdings—one of Ripple’s longest-standing partners—announced new initiatives that will expand Ripple technology into domestic markets. Crucially, SBI is also preparing to integrate Ripple’s U.S. dollar stablecoin, RLUSD, into Japan’s payment ecosystem by 2026.
This development has the potential to drive tangible XRP utility in cross-border settlements, boosting adoption in one of Asia’s most advanced digital asset markets.
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Legal Clarity: The SEC Case Finally Ends
For years, the Ripple-SEC lawsuit cast a shadow over XRP, curbing institutional interest and raising doubts about its regulatory status. That overhang is now gone. Court filings confirm that both Ripple and the SEC have withdrawn their appeals, officially bringing the case to a close.
This final resolution has transformed XRP’s risk profile, making it far more attractive to institutional allocators who had previously avoided exposure due to regulatory uncertainty.
Current Price Outlook
XRP is currently trading just above $3.00, climbing steadily since July and outperforming many top altcoins in 2025. If XRP/BTC successfully breaks through its multi-year downtrend, it could set the stage for a new cycle of relative strength against Bitcoin, with upside potential supported by ETF inflows, utility-driven demand, and a clean regulatory slate.
Traders are now watching closely to see whether XRP can turn this long-standing resistance into a springboard for a historic rally.
The alignment of technical pressure, institutional catalysts, strategic partnerships, and legal clarity has created a rare convergence for XRP. As STEPH IS CRYPTO emphasizes, XRP/BTC is “about to smash” its eight-year downtrend.
Whether this moment delivers the breakout the community has waited for will depend on ETF approvals and adoption momentum, but one thing is clear: XRP is entering one of the most decisive phases in its history.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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