While XRP has long been burdened by regulatory ambiguity in the United States, a new prediction from Ripple’s leadership suggests a resolution is in sight. CEO Brad Garlinghouse has projected a 90% likelihood that comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation will be established by April 2026. This forecast arrives as the company advances its technological infrastructure, though institutional investment flows tell a more cautious story in the near term.
Institutional Sentiment Remains Measured
The market’s current hesitation is evident in XRP’s price action and institutional behavior. The token is entrenched in a consolidation phase, repeatedly testing support near $1.40 and facing resistance around $1.50, with its price hovering close to $1.43. This technical stalemate mirrors a broader institutional wait-and-see approach.
Recent data underscores this caution, showing net outflows from XRP-focused investment products and a decline in assets under management for related spot ETFs. The divergence is clear: despite an improving long-term regulatory outlook, immediate “smart money” buying interest is subdued. Analysts note that adoption in cross-border payments is still developing, which appears to be limiting short-term conviction among major investors.
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A Legislative Shift Gains Momentum
The basis for Garlinghouse’s optimism stems from evolving political dynamics. Following the formal conclusion of Ripple’s legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in August 2025, focus has shifted to Capitol Hill. The CEO points to intensified discussions between lawmakers, regulators, and industry executives as the driving force behind potential new laws. For XRP, which has been a judicial focal point, a definitive legislative framework would represent a critical move toward normalization, potentially ending years of uncertainty.
Ecosystem Development Continues Apace
Concurrently, Ripple is pushing forward with significant upgrades to its core ecosystem. A key development enables AI agents to process payments directly via the XRP Ledger, a modernization effort designed to broaden the network’s utility and applicability.
The company is also forging strategic alliances to bridge the gap with traditional finance. Partnerships with asset manager Aviva Investors and infrastructure providers Securosys and Figment aim to strengthen institutional pathways and integration. These technological and partnership initiatives continue regardless of the regulatory timeline, positioning the network for future use cases.
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