Ripple and Its Legal Status
Ripple Labs is a technology company that created the XRP Ledger blockchain and the XRP cryptocurrency, designed to facilitate cross-border payments. Fundamentally, Ripple offers solutions for bankers and payment providers focused on real-time settlements. However, the project has been embroiled in a legal battle with the U.S. regulator SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) since 2020. The SEC accused Ripple and its executives of selling XRP tokens as unregistered securities. In July 2023, a court established that retail sales of XRP on exchanges did not violate the law, while transactions with institutional investors were deemed unregistered securities offerings. In May 2025, both parties agreed to settle the dispute: Ripple would pay a fine, return a significant portion of seized funds, and resume free trading of XRP, while appeals would be withdrawn. This resolution alleviates some uncertainty; however, many analysts note that the legal status of XRP still hinges on final court approval and regulatory scrutiny. Overall, Ripple continues to strengthen its position in the banking sector, but the SEC saga remains a crucial factor in the fundamental analysis of XRP as a digital asset.
Fundamental and Technical Aspects of XRP, SOL, and ADA
From a fundamental perspective, all three coins – XRP, SOL, and ADA – hold stable positions within the top ten cryptocurrencies by market capitalization but differ in their objectives and teams. XRP promotes solutions for banking transfers and has a long-standing presence in the financial sector; however, its performance primarily depends on the favorable outcome of regulatory disputes. Solana (SOL) features a high-throughput blockchain actively used in DeFi and NFTs. Technologically, it can process thousands of transactions per second, attracting developers and institutional partners, but past network outages underscore associated risks. Cardano (ADA) was developed using a scientifically-backed approach and focuses on sustainability and energy efficiency. The project evolves more slowly than some competitors but boasts a larger staking base and community support. A key fundamental factor for ADA remains the gradual rollout of new features (such as scaling solutions) and the growth of its developer ecosystem.
From a technical perspective, following the speculative surge triggered by Trump’s remarks, the coins underwent corrections and are trading in the following ranges: XRP – around $2.20–$2.30, SOL – around $150, ADA – around $0.70. Technical analysis of the charts indicates a neutral-bullish market sentiment: all three assets managed to maintain crucial support levels. For XRP, the key support level is around $2.00–$2.10 (psychological mark and 20-day EMA); maintaining this level is crucial for upward momentum, while a break below could lead to a retest of the $1.80–$2.00 region. XRP's resistance is concentrated around $2.30–$2.40 (previous local peak). For SOL, the support level is approximately $148–$150 (moving averages), with resistance at $153–$155. Moreover, RSI and MACD indicators generate mixed signals: RSI is slightly above average, indicating balanced demand, while volatility remains high. Technical analysis for ADA points to a critical support zone of $0.66–$0.68 (Fibonacci levels). If the price holds here, the next targets for growth could be $0.73 and $0.78. A break above $0.78 would open the pathway to $0.85–$0.90, but a drop below $0.65 would lead to testing the $0.60 zone. Overall, fundamentally, all three tokens received a short-term momentum boost from the "reserve" news; however, their long-term prospects will be determined by ecosystem developments, demand for services (like RippleNet for XRP), and regulatory clarity.
Market Reaction and Incident Consequences
Following Trump's initial post, prices for XRP, SOL, and ADA surged notably. Cardano (ADA) rose by more than 50%, reaching local highs; XRP gained around 30%, while SOL increased approximately 20–25% within a day. Revised information later that evening regarding the addition of Bitcoin and Ether to the reserves triggered further gains: Bitcoin surpassed $94–95k, and Ether approached $2,500. Consequently, the overall cryptocurrency market capitalization rose nearly by $300 billion (an increase of about 10–12%). However, by the start of trading on Monday, most positions had retraced. Bitcoin declined to $86–87k (-8% from peak levels), Ether to ~$2,120 (-16%), XRP to ~$2.50 (-15%), SOL to $149 (-16%), and ADA to $0.89 (-19%). In other words, after the initial "rocket" rise, a wave of profit-taking ensued. Such volatility underscores that, despite the prospects for digital assets, the market continues to respond to political signals.
For the crypto market and regulation, the incident carries dual effects. On one hand, attention to altcoins has increased: short-term investments were validated by sharp news-driven momentum, and the mere discussion of a "crypto reserve" enhances the investment appeal of digital assets. Some analysts and market participants (including representatives from firms like 21Shares) suggest that official recognition of cryptocurrencies at this level could expedite institutional adoption and infrastructure development. On the other hand, the situation revealed risks of opacity and politicization; the involvement of lobbyists and unplanned promotion of specific players' interests may raise concerns among regulators and some investors. Thus, one might expect that legislative bodies and financial authorities in the U.S. (as well as abroad) will focus on the need for stricter cryptocurrency regulation. Stricter norms relating to disclosure, oversight of crypto lobbying, and defining the status of digital assets in governmental reserves could be on the horizon. Should the concept of a strategic reserve advance, clear criteria for "safe" cryptocurrencies and risk mitigation mechanisms are required. For now, the incident merely highlights the market's volatility: investors must remain vigilant and diversify their risks.
Projections for XRP, SOL, and ADA
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XRP. With a favorable resolution of the legal dispute with regulators, the coin could demonstrate growth; in the medium term, price targets are estimated around $3–$4, bolstering institutional investments and enhancing XRP's investment appeal. Technical analysis indicates that maintaining support around $2.00–$2.10 can facilitate an upward trend; breaking below this level poses risks of a deeper retracement to $1.80. Investors should keep an eye on developments concerning the SEC case: increasing confidence in XRP's legality will boost demand.
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SOL (Solana). This cryptocurrency maintains bullish potential thanks to fast transactions and a broad DeFi ecosystem. Under favorable market conditions, SOL could test levels of $170–$180 by year-end. However, technical analysis emphasizes the importance of holding the $148–$150 range: dropping below could bring a retraction to $120–$130. SOL is sensitive to overall risk in the cryptocurrency market: if investors re-enter risk, the price will push upward; otherwise, it could decline. Key indicators for decision-making will include trading volumes and MACD/RSI signals.
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ADA (Cardano). Cardano remains the most conservative of the three: its fundamentals are supported by a scientific approach and growing staking, but the lack of rapid innovations limits significant price growth. Technical analysis shows that ADA is currently holding above the $0.66–$0.68 range. If this support is maintained, a rebound to $0.78–$0.80 (next Fibonacci targets) could occur. A break below $0.65 would open the path for testing the $0.60–$0.62 zone. Currently, RSI and MACD indicators are neutral, reflecting uncertainty about future movement. Investors are advised to combine fundamental analysis (e.g., monitoring network update developments and institutional investor interest) with technical chart analysis when devising a strategy for ADA. In any case, portfolio diversification and evaluation of investments considering the overall crypto market conditions are recommended.
The scandal surrounding Trump’s “strategic cryptocurrency reserve” once again demonstrated that the cryptocurrency market remains highly sensitive to political events. The short-term growth of XRP, SOL, and ADA revealed how popular altcoins can experience significant surges in demand due to news, but subsequent corrections allow strong traders to consolidate profits. The long-term dynamics of these assets will still be determined by fundamental factors: advancements in technology (technical improvements in networks), institutional investor interest, and the evolution of the regulatory environment. Institutional investors will carefully evaluate new signals and might reassess their positions based on future actions taken by authorities. An essential takeaway has been the heightened awareness of the role of digital assets in the economy: should cryptocurrencies ever officially become part of strategic reserves, carefully formulated laws and regulations will be required. For now, the cryptocurrency market remains volatile and risky, and investors should rely on a combination of fundamental and technical analysis when making investment decisions.
