XRP Price Jumps on BlackRock Rumors
The price of XRP exhibited significant volatility following unconfirmed rumors that asset manager BlackRock was purchasing the token via Coinbase. The market's reaction highlights the heightened sensitivity of altcoin prices to speculation about institutional adoption.
- BlackRock has officially denied any plans to launch an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) at this time. A previous rumor in November 2023 was sparked by a fraudulent filing, which caused a temporary 12% price surge before being debunked. - The most recent speculation originated from an X user who pointed to a significant drop in Coinbase's XRP reserves, suggesting a large, discreet accumulation by an institutional client. This claim, however, remains unverified and is not supported by official statements. - While not directly purchasing the token, BlackRock does have an indirect connection to its ecosystem. A partnership between Ripple and Securitize allows investors in BlackRock's BUIDL fund to convert their fund shares into RLUSD, Ripple's stablecoin, on the XRP Ledger. - The market is sensitive to such news following the conclusion of Ripple's long legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In August 2025, both parties agreed to drop their appeals, cementing a court ruling that determined XRP is not a security when sold to the general public on secondary markets. - As part of the resolution, Ripple agreed to a final settlement with the SEC, paying a $50 million fine, which was reduced from the original $125 million penalty. - Following this legal clarity, several major asset managers have launched spot XRP ETFs, including Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, Bitwise, and 21Shares. These products saw significant early success, attracting $1.3 billion in assets under management within the first 50 days of launching in late 2025. - Beyond ETFs, Ripple has attracted other major institutional players. In November 2025, the company announced a $500 million strategic investment from funds linked to Citadel Securities, Fortress Investment Group, and Brevan Howard. - As of mid-February 2026, the price of XRP was trading around $1.50, down significantly from its July 2025 high of $3.65. The current market sentiment is one of "Extreme Fear," which some analysts suggest could present an accumulation opportunity for institutional investors.
