January 17, 2025

This Week in Crypto: XRP All Time High and Trump’s Crypto Vision 

January 17, 2025

This Week in Crypto: XRP All Time High and Trump’s Crypto Vision 

This week in crypto, XRP captured global attention by reaching a new all-time high, a milestone many years in the making. The surge was driven by renewed interest and broader adoption, pushing its market capitalisation to over US$200 billion, a substantial increase compared to its previous all-time high. The token’s rise reflects growing confidence in its utility within the financial sector, particularly after its legal clarity in 2024. However, XRP’s rise this week wasn’t without challenges. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed its opening brief to appeal the court ruling in its case against Ripple, once again casting a spotlight on XRP’s regulatory status. Despite this renewed legal uncertainty, market sentiment remains largely positive, with many analysts predicting the appeal is unlikely to reverse Ripple’s earlier legal win. 

In the political sphere, President-elect Donald Trump is just days away from taking the presidential seat, and the crypto industry is closely watching how his administration will shape the regulatory landscape. Trump’s openness to establishing a strategic reserve that includes U.S.-founded cryptocurrencies, such as Solana (SOL), USD Coin (USDC), and XRP, has sparked significant interest. While no formal announcements have been made, such a move could position the U.S. as a leader in crypto adoption and innovation. 

Additionally, the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, now under Republican control, has prioritised creating a clear framework for digital assets. Tim Scott, the committee chair, highlighted plans to foster an “open-minded environment” for crypto discussions, signaling potential regulatory clarity for the industry. Meanwhile, Trump’s potential Treasury secretary pick has made headlines by opposing the idea of a U.S. central bank digital currency (CBDC), stating that there is “no reason” for its implementation. These developments indicate the administration’s focus on promoting private sector innovation rather than centralised control in digital finance. 

On another front, AI agents and decentralised applications are emerging as a major force within Web3. Projects such as Griffain, Ai16z, and Virtuals focus on decentralised AI integration, empowering users with autonomous tools for blockchain ecosystems. Meanwhile, platforms like Zerebro, Ava Ai, and AIXBT are pushing boundaries in areas like AI-driven personalisation, trading analytics, and market intelligence. The increasing influence of AI within Web3 highlights the evolving intersection of technology and decentralised finance, as well as the industry’s growing emphasis on automation and efficiency. 

As 2025 begins, the crypto industry finds itself at the intersection of political change, technological innovation, and regulatory evolution. Whether it’s XRP’s market dominance, Trump’s crypto-friendly vision, or the rapid growth of decentralised AI agents, this year is shaping up to be one of transformative opportunities for the digital asset ecosystem. 

Other news circulating the block 

  • Phantom Wallet raises $150M, reaching a $3B valuation 
  • OpenSea user emails from 2022 vendor leak surface widely online 
  • CryptoPunks floor price rises 13% on rumors of an IP sale 
  • Singapore blocks Polymarket, citing unlicensed gambling concerns 
  • Intesa Sanpaolo buys $1M in Bitcoin, marking Italy’s first bank-led investment 
  • SEC sues Elon Musk over alleged failures to disclose Twitter stock sales 
  • Legal firm announces plans to investigate potential claims against Pump.fun 
  • Thailand considers spot Bitcoin ETF approval amid Polymarket crackdown 

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