- CME’s regulated XRP futures debut May 19 may attract institutions, but BitMEX’s leverage history suggests retail-focused updates.
- Mixed XRP community reactions: some predict liquidity boosts, others dismiss hype given the token’s recent sluggish performance.
BitMEX has drawn attention from XRP investors after posting a message hinting at an upcoming announcement tied to Ripple. The exchange used the phrase “a Ripple effect” in a social media post on May 16, tagging Ripple’s official account. The timing coincides with the scheduled launch of CME Group’s regulated XRP futures contracts on May 19.
Keep your eyes peeled 👀We have some news that’s definitely gonna have a @ripple effect on the market 👀 pic.twitter.com/9ImUNC2OgN
— BitMEX (@BitMEX) May 17, 2025
BitMEX first introduced XRP perpetual swaps in February 2020 and expanded into spot trading in May 2022. Speculation about the announcement centers on Ripple USD (RLUSD), a stablecoin launched by Ripple in late 2024. RLUSD has already been listed on multiple exchanges, but BitMEX has not confirmed whether its update involves the stablecoin or other XRP-linked products.
XRP’s price has shown limited movement over the past week, rising 0.3% despite broader market fluctuations. The token surged in late 2024 and early 2025 but has since struggled to regain momentum. Some investors argue that BitMEX’s announcement, regardless of its content, is unlikely to alter XRP’s trajectory meaningfully.
Responses to BitMEX’s teaser vary
Supporters suggest the exchange could introduce new trading tools or leverage options for XRP, potentially boosting liquidity. Skeptics point to XRP’s recent performance as evidence that short-term announcements rarely drive sustained price changes.
Regulated derivatives often attract institutional participants, but their impact on spot markets can take months to materialize. BitMEX’s history of offering leveraged XRP products positions it to capitalize on renewed interest, though concrete details remain undisclosed.
XRP (Ripple) – Price & Technical Analysis – May 18, 2025
XRP is currently trading at $2.415, up +2.58% today, showing renewed bullish momentum after a week of consolidation. Despite a -2.35% loss over the past 7 days, XRP has surged +16.70% in the past 30 days and an impressive +116.44% in the last 6 months. On a yearly basis, XRP has delivered a massive +361.21% return, reflecting a strong structural breakout and institutional interest.
Technically, XRP is holding above its key support level at $2.35, with resistance building around $2.60–$2.65. If this zone is broken with volume, analysts expect a retest of $2.80 and potential continuation toward the previous all-time high of $3.40.
The current chart shows a consolidation phase just below resistance, and a breakout could trigger a major upward leg. Volume remains stable, and momentum indicators support further upside in the short term.
From a fundamental standpoint, XRP is gaining attention as CME Group is preparing to launch regulated XRP futures on May 19, and BitMEX has hinted at a Ripple-related announcement, both of which are increasing speculative inflows. The circulating supply is currently 58.62 billion XRP, and its market cap is $141.43 billion, ranking XRP as one of the top altcoins by valuation.
