XRP News Today: BitMEX Adds XRP Margin Trading as McGregor Backs Ripple Amid $10B U.S. Crypto Reserve Buzz

In a notable development for Ripple XRP news, BitMEX has added XRP to its Multi Asset Margining program, allowing traders to use the digital asset as collateral for derivatives trading.

This inclusion significantly boosts XRP’s utility in the crypto derivatives space, signaling increasing institutional confidence in Ripple’s ecosystem.

The move comes alongside the addition of RLUSD to BitMEX’s offerings, broadening the platform’s multi-asset collateral options. Legal expert Bill Morgan welcomed the update, stating, “Doubly good news for the XRP ecosystem.” While the XRP price has shown minimal immediate reaction, the upgrade enhances capital efficiency and flexibility for traders, paving the way for broader adoption.

Institutional Integration and Market Impact

Though the market’s short-term reaction has been muted, XRP’s inclusion as a margin asset reflects an expanding role for the token beyond traditional cross-border payments. By enabling XRP to serve as collateral, BitMEX empowers traders to better manage risk, optimize leverage, and avoid the need for constant asset conversions.

BitMEX now supports XRP as collateral for derivatives trading, marking a significant expansion of the asset’s utility in the crypto market. Source: JackTheRippler via X

This functionality is expected to appeal to institutional traders seeking more efficient capital deployment. As multi-asset margining becomes a trend, Ripple crypto’s role in structured finance could grow. BitMEX’s decision also reinforces the long-term value proposition of XRP in advanced trading strategies.

David Schwartz Debunks XRP Centralization Claims

Parallel to the BitMEX update, Ripple CTO David Schwartz addressed ongoing concerns about XRP’s decentralization. Responding to renewed speculation online, Schwartz clarified that XRP was fully created at the launch of the XRP Ledger, and no additional supply has been issued since.

Ripple CEO clarifies XRP has no issuer and urges a practical approach to evaluating XRPL’s decentralization. Source: David ‘JoelKatz’ Schwartz via X

He emphasized that XRP does not rely on traditional mining or token release systems, distancing it from centralized control models. “Instead of debating definitions,” Schwartz said, “focus on what users want a decentralized network to prevent or guarantee.” He added that the visibility of Ripple executives like Brad Garlinghouse should not be mistaken for centralized asset control.

This statement from Ripple’s leadership is a timely reminder amid continuing XRP SEC lawsuit narratives and broader Ripple lawsuit speculation, helping to reinforce confidence in the network’s governance.

Conor McGregor’s Crypto Move Draws Spotlight to XRP

Meanwhile, UFC star Conor McGregor has entered the crypto discussion, publicly backing XRP as part of a broader conversation on blockchain decentralization. His comments come as the U.S. considers establishing a $10 billion Strategic Crypto Reserve, which includes XRP alongside Bitcoin, Cardano, and Solana.

UFC champion Conor McGregor has shown interest in learning more about XRP and its ecosystem. Source: Amelie via X

McGregor initially questioned the decentralization of XRP but quickly drew support from the XRP community. Dom Kwok of EasyA noted, “XRP, Solana, and Ethereum are utility tokens,” emphasizing their functional roles beyond mere speculation. Panos Mekras, founder of Anodos Finance, highlighted XRP’s Layer 1 tokenization, deflationary tokenomics, and built-in burning mechanisms as signs of its innovation.

These responses reflect the growing recognition of XRP’s unique attributes and its positioning within a potential government-backed reserve system—a sign of its evolving credibility.

Ripple and Strategic Reserves: A Global Perspective

The concept of crypto reserves is gaining global traction. Following an executive order signed in March by President Donald Trump to initiate a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve, U.S. states like Texas and New Hampshire have proposed similar legislation. Internationally, nations like Ukraine and Ireland are exploring government-held digital asset reserves.

XRP was trading at around $2.33 at press time. Source: XRP Liquid Index (XRPLX) via Brave New Coin

McGregor is reportedly set to meet with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele to discuss the creation of an Irish Bitcoin reserve, but XRP’s inclusion in the U.S. proposal shows its growing appeal as a digital reserve asset.

Additionally, optimism around a potential XRP ETF continues to build, with market analysts assigning an 83% probability of approval despite ongoing XRP SEC lawsuits and regulatory uncertainty. This growing institutional interest underscores the real-world value proposition of Ripple XRP.

Looking Ahead: Infrastructure Before Price

Though the XRP value remains relatively flat in the wake of these developments, infrastructure upgrades like BitMEX’s margin integration and increased institutional dialogue suggest a strong foundation for future growth. Often, such changes precede price movement, as broader sentiment catches up with the technical advancements.

Ripple’s push into derivatives, coupled with a clearer understanding of XRP’s decentralization, marks a shift in the narrative from courtroom drama to market utility. As the Ripple market matures, these foundational moves could shape XRP price predictions for the months ahead.