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XRP Ecosystem Sees Major Growth as CME Launches Regulated Futures Contracts

3 weeks ago
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XRP Ecosystem Sees Major Growth as CME Launches Regulated Futures Contracts

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem is experiencing a notable surge in activity and infrastructure expansion, according to a recent report from blockchain analysis firm Messari. Simultaneously, the debut of regulated XRP futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) marks a significant milestone for institutional engagement with the cryptocurrency.

XRP Ledger metrics post second consecutive quarter of growth

Messari’s latest research highlights robust growth across nearly all measured XRP Ledger metrics in Q1 2025, marking the second consecutive quarter of expansion since the firm began coverage in Q1 2023. Average daily active addresses soared by 142% to 134,600, reflecting heightened user engagement. New addresses rose to 568,300, a 210% year-over-year increase and up 12% quarter-over-quarter.

Receiver addresses outpaced senders for the fourth straight quarter, with daily receiver growth hitting 168% compared to a modest 14.5% rise in senders. This pattern is often indicative of airdrop activity, signaling distribution from a smaller set of senders to a broad base of recipients.

Transaction volumes also increased, with average daily transactions reaching 2.04 million, a 13% quarter-over-quarter rise. Payment transactions rebounded notably, climbing 36% to 1.12 million after a previous decline.

Network infrastructure showed substantial improvement, with the number of active nodes surging by 969% to 9,498. The testnet launch of the XRPL EVM Sidechain on March 31 promises Ethereum compatibility, with mainnet deployment expected in Q2 2025.

Ripple’s acquisition of prime brokerage firm Hidden Road for $1.25 billion on April 8 further bolsters XRP Ledger’s strategic positioning. The deal facilitates XRPL integration into post-trade operations and promotes Ripple’s USD-backed stablecoin, RLUSD, which saw its market cap jump 304% to $44.2 million in Q1.

International adoption is also accelerating. UAE-based Zand Bank and Mamo have integrated Ripple Payments to enhance cross-border transactions, further establishing Ripple’s presence in global financial services.

CME debuts regulated XRP futures contracts

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange officially launched XRP futures contracts on May 18, with over $19 million in notional volume on the first trading day and at least $10 million the following day. These cash-settled contracts are offered in two formats: standard (50,000 XRP) and micro (2,500 XRP), both tied to the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate.

Hidden Road cleared the inaugural block trade, continuing its growing involvement in the XRP ecosystem post-acquisition by Ripple. Standard contracts accounted for 7.5 million XRP in volume on day one and 2.95 million on day two, while micro contracts traded 517,000 XRP and 1.2 million XRP, respectively.

Industry voices suggest this development could pave the way for a spot XRP ETF in the U.S. “Spot XRP ETFs only a matter of time,” commented Nate Geraci, President of the ETF Store.

Technical analysts eye XRP breakout potential

Popular crypto chartist Galaxy has drawn parallels between XRP’s current price pattern and its breakout trajectory in 2017. “$XRP almost perfectly follows the breakout pattern of 2017 after 6 years of consolidation,” he noted, adding that such prolonged consolidation could precede a significant price move.

Meanwhile, analyst Crypto Tony identified $2.50 as a critical resistance level. “Reclaim $2.50 and we are good for new highs. Just a waiting game,” he posted, signaling market anticipation for a decisive breakout.

Together, these technical indicators and structural developments underscore a potentially transformative period for XRP, both in terms of market dynamics and institutional traction.

Source: https://coincodex.com/article/67755/xrp-ecosystem-sees-major-growth-as-cme-launches-regulated-futures-contracts/