XRP has been trading near $3 for most of 2025, remaining stable while other assets fluctuate. Despite banks forming partnerships, institutions buying XRP in large quantities, and Ripple expanding its network, many investors wonder why the price is not moving.
According to market expert Jake Claver, this period of calm is not a sign of weakness but rather a prelude to what he calls the calm before the storm. He believes that the next move for XRP could be driven by real-world utility and significant institutional demand rather than hype or speculation.
Why the Price Is Still Flat
XRP’s market cap often sparks debate. Critics argue that it is too large to grow further, but this perspective confuses crypto networks with traditional companies. XRP is not a stock; it is a digital asset used for value transfer across the XRP Ledger. The network’s value is dependent on the amount of money flowing through it, not on corporate profits.
Claver likens it to the global email system, where billions of messages are sent daily, resulting in significant transaction volume. As blockchain is adopted by global payment systems for cross-border settlement, XRP’s value is expected to follow a similar trajectory. This transition may be gradual but inevitable, and when it occurs, XRP’s market cap will cease to be a barrier but rather a reflection of global liquidity demands.
Institutional Accumulation Continues
While retail investors await noticeable price movements, institutions are quietly accumulating XRP. They make gradual purchases to prevent sharp price fluctuations. Numerous major financial entities are gearing up for XRP-based products and ETFs, necessitating substantial reserves. This accumulation process takes time and is often imperceptible to the average investor.
These discreet maneuvers are laying the groundwork for a significant supply shock. When banks and funds require XRP for large-scale settlement, the available supply on exchanges could rapidly diminish, propelling prices upwards.
The Derivatives Market Catalyst
Claver envisions that XRP’s long-term value could be intertwined with a far-reaching opportunity: the tokenization of the global derivatives market. Over the next three to five years, he anticipates XRP playing a pivotal role in this transformation.
The derivatives market is estimated to be valued between $400 trillion and $4 quadrillion, making it the largest financial system globally. Ripple previously developed Codius, a project tailored for smart contracts and potentially linked to XRP’s settlement layer. Should XRP become the bridge asset for derivatives settlement, Claver suggests that the token could achieve prices ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.
He clarifies that this price surge would not stem from speculation but from pure utility. For XRP to process trillions worth of daily settlements, it must maintain a high and stable price. Assuming such a role could position XRP as a top-tier risk-free asset akin to U.S. Treasuries at the heart of global finance.
