XRP is gaining significant attention in the crypto market, as speculation builds around potential U.S.-based ETFs tied to the asset. Market analyst Zach Rector believes the token could easily double in value before these funds go live—though a sharp price correction may follow soon after.

ETFs Could Drive a Surge in XRP

According to Rector, investor excitement around forthcoming XRP exchange-traded funds could push the asset’s price considerably higher in the months leading up to their approval. Drawing comparisons to earlier ETF launches for Bitcoin and Ethereum, he noted that both assets experienced major rallies when heading toward regulatory clearance.

Bitcoin climbed nearly 80% before its ETF debut, while Ethereum rose about 25%. But once trading on the ETFs actually began, both cryptocurrencies retraced sharply. Bitcoin fell around 30%, and Ethereum dipped approximately 40% shortly after launch.

Applying this pattern to XRP, Rector claims the altcoin could potentially double its current value before the ETFs hit the market. However, he cautions that history suggests a correction may follow quickly after the initial excitement fades.

Delayed Decisions Push Focus to October 2025

Anticipation is particularly high right now after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) postponed its decision on several XRP spot ETF proposals. These filings—submitted by companies such as Grayscale, 21Shares, and CoinShares—now face a final decision deadline in late October 2025.

In a recent update, Rector explained this postponement creates months of speculative momentum, likely driving up demand as traders position for an outcome. He emphasized that the market could witness a wave of buying leading into October’s decision, followed potentially by a rapid dip once the news hits.

As noted in another recent report, the SEC update could inject upward pressure on XRP’s near-term performance.

Institutional Capital May Soften Corrections

Even if a temporary sell-off occurs post-approval, record-breaking institutional inflows could counteract the impact. If ETFs tied to XRP pull in large sums once they launch, this influx of capital could stabilize or even lift prices back up.

Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg has proposed a scenario where XRP ETFs attract up to $5 billion during the first month of trading. Building on that, JPMorgan analysts estimate the total inflows could exceed $8 billion within the first year, indicating serious institutional interest.

With inflows of this magnitude, XRP price forecasts point to potential highs of $26—assuming demand from exchanges, fund managers, and large investors remains uninterrupted. You can read more about these projections here.

Ripple Eyes Major October Milestone

In an interesting twist, October 2025 could also mark a second substantial milestone for Ripple, the company behind XRP. Ripple is currently awaiting a decision from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) regarding its federal banking charter. The company filed for the charter last month, and timelines indicate the regulator’s response might also arrive in October.

This could mean Ripple will hit two landmark regulatory events—approval for both an XRP ETF and a U.S. banking license—within the same month. Such a dual storyline elevates October as a potential tipping point not only for XRP’s future valuation, but also for Ripple’s presence in regulated financial markets.

Related: XRP Price: $12M Max Pain for Bears

Anticipation for XRP ETFs and Ripple’s banking charter decision could spark major market movements.