Why is XRP Price Stagnant After CME Futures Breakthrough Launch?

The much-anticipated XRP futures launch on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) finally went live yesterday, May 19, 2025. Many investors would have thought that the price of the Ripple-backed coin would at least showcase some spiking movement on the news, however, XRP’s price has remained relatively stagnant, hovering around $2.37.

This lack of significant movement has puzzled investors who expected the futures launch to catalyze a price surge.

Institutional Interest vs. Market Reality

The introduction of XRP futures by CME was seen as a milestone, offering institutional investors a regulated avenue to gain exposure to XRP. Giovanni Vicioso, CME’s Global Head of Crypto Products, noted that the launch aimed to provide a capital-efficient toolset to support clients’ investment and hedging strategies. 

However, the immediate market response has been muted. While open interest in XRP derivatives remains robust, indicating sustained institutional engagement, this has not translated into upward price momentum.

Analysts suggest that the market had already priced in the futures launch, leading to a “buy the rumour, sell the news” scenario, a situation where assets rally in anticipation of big news, but fail to maintain momentum once the news becomes official.