This has been a long and disappointing journey for XRP holders. For over three years, the lawsuit between Ripple and the SEC has heavily impacted XRP's performance, while other altcoins still have room to grow. But now, the cloud has finally lifted.

In March 2025, the SEC officially withdrew its appeal, and Ripple agreed to settle for $50 million. Most legal troubles are over, but the case is not completely closed yet. Ripple still needs to pay off the fines before everything officially ends.

So here is the big question — can XRP climb to the top 3 position in the cryptocurrency rankings? And what would the price be if that happens?

Current XRP price and market capitalization

Today, XRP is trading around $2.18, with a market capitalization of about $127.9 billion. Currently, it is the 4th largest cryptocurrency by market cap, just behind Tether (USDT), which holds the 3rd position with a market cap of $147 billion.

That means XRP needs an additional approximately $19 billion in market value to surpass USDT. Based on the current circulating supply, that would push the price to around $2.50.

What does the chart tell us

Looking at the chart, XRP had a significant breakout at the end of 2024. It rose from below $0.60 to above $2 in just a few weeks. Since then, it has maintained that gain, moving sideways but still strong.

Currently, it is right above the 200-day moving average, which is around $2.05. That is a good sign for the bulls. Price action has consolidated just below $2.20, with some support bounces in recent weeks.

RSI is near 47, meaning XRP is neither overbought nor oversold. It is in neutral territory and ready to move if a new wave of demand emerges. The main resistance level is in the $2.40 to $2.50 range. That is where the next major test will occur.

What happens when the case officially closes?

Once Ripple pays the fine and the lawsuit is 100% complete, the narrative will change. XRP will no longer be the 'token in the lawsuit.' It becomes the first major cryptocurrency to defeat the SEC.

That is really important.

Institutional investors sitting on the sidelines may finally be able to participate. U.S. exchanges that delisted XRP may relist it. Confidence is rising. Liquidity is increasing. And momentum could quickly return. However, remember that the market also needs to do its part.

If that happens, XRP has a real chance to surpass the $2.50 level, reclaiming the number 3 position. From there, if the bull market is still ongoing, it could even aim for a range from $3.00 to $3.50. That would be at or slightly above its all-time high from 2018.

XRP has finally exited the courtroom and returned to the market spotlight. It is close to overtaking USDT in market capitalization. And if the final settlement steps go smoothly, we could see XRP rise to $2.50 and beyond in the coming weeks or months.

After years of uncertainty, XRP is one of the few major cryptocurrencies with a fresh story and real upside potential.

And this time, the path is much clearer than before.