After a 120% surge in November and Ripple’s favorable legal developments against the SEC, there’s a lot of optimism around XRP’s future.

With increased utility through innovations like the RLUSD stablecoin and promising technical indicators, XRP is gaining traction, but can it hit $20 soon? 

We’ll look at the key developments, market trends, and analysts’ predictions for XRP.

Also, we will check out another interesting project called PlutoChain ($PLUTO), which could serve as a Layer-2 solution for Bitcoin’s long-standing network issues. 

Here’s all you need to know. 

Will XRP’s Momentum Propel It to a Record-Breaking $20 in 2025?

As of January 13, 2025, XRP is trading at around $2.52. Over the past 24 hours, its price has fluctuated between $2.48 and $2.56, with a trading volume of approximately $4.86 billion. 

XRP currently holds a market cap of about $145.12 billion. It reached its all-time high of $3.40 on January 7, 2018. 

With a circulating supply of 57.49 billion XRP out of a total supply of 99.99 billion, XRP continues to be a major player in the crypto market.

The RSI is currently at 52, which puts it in the neutral zone. 

After the U.S. presidential election in November 2024, XRP saw a huge surge — it jumped 120% to $1.11. 

This rally is largely tied to expectations of a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment under the new administration led by Donald Trump.

Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the SEC continues to be a key factor shaping XRP’s market potential.

While the SEC had previously accused Ripple of selling XRP as an unregistered security, a major ruling in 2023 sided with Ripple, stating that retail sales of XRP on exchanges don’t count as securities transactions. 

With a pro-crypto advocate like Paul Atkins expected to head the SEC, regulatory pressures on Ripple could ease even more.

On the innovation front, Ripple recently launched RLUSD, a dollar-pegged stablecoin. This move boosts its digital payment ecosystem and increases XRP’s utility.

Lai Jr, a crypto analyst on X, predictS XRP will dip to $1.80–$2.20 on January 15, surge to $4–$8 by Trump’s inauguration, and potentially reach $10–$34 by March

Armando Pantoja predicts that XRP will easily reach $2 soon and is likely to rise further to $8–$20. He cites strong bullish patterns, whale accumulation, favorable technical indicators, and increasing FOMO.

On the more conservative side, Steph_iscrypto predicts that XRP is currently breaking out, with confirmation needed through increased trading volume. He set a conservative price target of $5 and a bullish target of $14.

PlutoChain ($PLUTO) Could Upgrade Bitcoin with EVM Compatibility, Smart Contracts, and DeFi Potential

PlutoChain ($PLUTO) introduces a hybrid Layer-2 solution that could tackle Bitcoin’s long-standing challenges.

Bitcoin’s network often faces congestion, slow transaction speeds, and high fees. 

PlutoChain could address these issues by providing a parallel network that complements Bitcoin’s main blockchain. 

This setup has the potential to reduce transaction costs, alleviate network traffic, and improve scalability — all while preserving Bitcoin’s foundational structure.

Bitcoin’s 10-minute block time can be a major obstacle for users seeking efficiency. With PlutoChain’s Layer-2 technology, block times are just two seconds.

This significant improvement could enhance user experience and enable seamless interaction with Bitcoin. 

Additionally, PlutoChain integrates smart contract functionality, which could allow developers and creators to innovate while leveraging Bitcoin’s robust security.

Thanks to its EVM compatibility, PlutoChain could create a bridge for Ethereum-based projects to connect with the Bitcoin ecosystem. 

This compatibility may lay the groundwork for DeFi applications, NFTs, and AI-driven solutions to flourish within the Bitcoin framework.

On its testnet, PlutoChain successfully processes up to 43,200 transactions daily without congestion, which highlights its potential for real-world scalability.

The project prioritizes security and reliability, which is why it underwent audits by SolidProof, QuillAudits, and Assure DeFi, alongside routine code reviews and stress testing.

Community collaboration is highly valuable to PlutoChain. Through an active Discord community, users contribute ideas, discuss updates, and participate in key decisions.

The Bottom Line

XRP’s recent momentum, regulatory clarity, and innovative developments like the RLUSD stablecoin, have positioned it as a strong contender for growth in 2025. 

Meanwhile, PlutoChain ($PLUTO) might have a compelling solution to Bitcoin’s challenges with its hybrid Layer-2 technology. 

The potential mainnet launch is just a few weeks away, so it might be worth keeping an eye on it!

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Remember, this article is not financial or trading advice. All cryptocurrencies are volatile, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Always conduct your own research and/or consult with experts before making any crypto-related decisions. Trade responsibly. Forward-looking statements are uncertain and might not be updated.