On May 19, 2025, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) launched regulated XRP and Micro XRP futures, a move anticipated to attract significant institutional investment.

This launch comes amidst a favorable shift in the regulatory landscape, with the likelihood of the SEC approving an XRP spot ETF rising to 83% following delays in the Solana ETF decision.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse described the futures launch as a pivotal milestone for XRP, noting that Hidden Road executed the first block trade.

However, Ripple remains embroiled in a legal dispute with the SEC, which alleges the company conducted an unregistered securities offering worth $1.3 billion, a case ongoing since 2020.

Despite these challenges, a previous ruling clarified regulations around XRP, resulting in a $125 million fine that could increase market participation.

XRP's price has fluctuated around $2.34, reflecting ongoing legal uncertainties and the need for broader adoption among financial institutions.

Current predictions suggest XRP could reach $2.50 before June, bolstered by bullish market signals and institutional interest.

Whale accumulation of XRP has increased, indicating strategic positioning by institutional investors despite the ongoing legal obstacles.

The CME's decision to launch XRP futures signifies the evolving landscape of institutional cryptocurrency markets, recognizing XRP as a viable asset for formal financial products.

Nonetheless, Ripple's ongoing legal challenges could impact the market reception of these new products, creating significant regulatory uncertainty.

On the first trading day, the CME reported four standard contracts valued at $480,000 and 106 micro contracts totaling over $1 million, indicating strong initial interest.

In addition to futures, Ripple is also launching new projects like the stablecoin Ripple USD (RLUSD) to enhance XRP's utility in cross-border transactions.