New York, Jan 13, 2026, 17:03 EST — After-hours
- In late U.S. trading, XRP climbed roughly 3.4% to reach $2.12
- Senators released draft market-structure rules aiming to redraw the boundary between securities and commodities
- Traders have their eyes on the Senate Banking Committee session set for Jan. 15
XRP climbed Tuesday following the introduction of a long-awaited draft bill by U.S. senators aimed at establishing clear rules for the crypto market. The token last traded up 3.4% at $2.12, fluctuating between $2.05 and $2.14 earlier in the session.
The proposal sets out clear definitions for when crypto tokens qualify as securities, commodities, or fall into other categories — a key issue that’s lingered over the industry for years. It would also expand the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s power over spot markets, where coins are exchanged for immediate settlement. Stablecoin regulations would tighten, banning interest paid solely for holding these dollar-pegged tokens, while still permitting rewards linked to use cases like payments or loyalty programs, according to Reuters. Summer Mersinger, CEO of the Blockchain Association, criticized banks for mounting “the relentless pressure campaign by the Big Banks to rewrite this bill.” On the other hand, Digital Chamber CEO Cody Carbone called the progress “encouraging to see the process continue to move forward.” Reuters
Why it matters now: Washington has reentered the equation. Traders see market-structure legislation as a key to boosting U.S. involvement, especially if it curbs the chance that regulators change the rules through enforcement.
XRP’s gain coincided with a wider rally in top cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin climbed roughly 3.2% to $94,074, ether jumped about 3.7% to $3,210, and solana added close to 3.1%, reaching $143.23.
Stablecoin rewards are at the heart of the debate. Banks warn that yield-like payouts risk siphoning deposits away from the insured banking system. Crypto companies counter that a strict ban would stifle competition and drive business overseas.
The bill isn’t law yet and could still be altered in committee. If progress stalls—or if key provisions for the industry are removed—the rally could vanish quickly, particularly in smaller tokens that react more sharply when risk appetite shifts.
The chart is speaking loudly in the short term. The $2 mark acts as a key psychological barrier: hold above it, and momentum traders turn bullish; slip below, and stop losses start triggering.
XRP’s legal saga keeps U.S. regulation in sharp focus. Ripple announced in 2025 it would drop its cross-appeal in the SEC lawsuit, following a judge’s ruling that XRP sales on public exchanges were lawful, though institutional sales broke securities laws, Reuters reported.
XRP, tied to Ripple Labs, is a cryptocurrency token rather than an equity share, and it trades nonstop. Still, the market often reacts sharply to U.S. policy changes, which can reshape who’s permitted or willing to hold and distribute these tokens.
On Jan. 15, the Senate Banking Committee will meet to discuss the House-passed Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025. Traders will be focused on potential amendments related to stablecoin rewards and whether the committee can advance the bill without revisiting last year’s deadlocks.
