XRP Reaches Seven-Year High Amid XRP Army’s Frustration
Key Points
- Ripple’s XRP cryptocurrency surged to an all-time high last Thursday, its first such achievement in over seven years.
- This price milestone has angered XRP supporters, known as the “XRP Army,” who accuse the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of stifling the asset’s growth through a protracted legal battle.
Near-History High Ignites Anger
XRP climbed to new heights last Thursday, marking the first time it had achieved an all-time high (ATH) in over seven years, according to data provider CoinGecko.
Despite this significant price increase, the reaction from the XRP community has been largely anger. Staunch supporters, organized under the moniker “XRP Army,” expressed fury over the prolonged wait for such a milestone.
Members of the XRP Army point fingers at the SEC’s multi-year lawsuit against Ripple as the primary reason for the cryptocurrency’s extended underperformance compared to peers. A prominent community member, MackAttackXRP, voiced profound frustration: “We are fucking furious about waiting SEVEN FUCKING YEARS, what did you think?” accusing regulators of holding back progress.
John Squire, another XRP Army member, added: “It’s not just about waiting for a new ATH—it’s about being sidelined while others thrived… The anger in the XRP community is mostly directed at the SEC, for artificially holding back the asset with a lawsuit that hurt retail investors the most.”
The legal conflict began in late 2020 when the SEC charged Ripple Corporation and two of its executives with conducting an unregistered securities offering via XRP sales, valuing the offering at $1.3 billion.
After three years, in September 2023, a judge found most XRP sales were not securities offerings; exceptions included institutional sales. The SEC immediately appealed the ruling.
The protracted appeal continued even as cryptocurrency regulations gradually eased following former President Trump’s 2024 election. Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse claimed the legal case effectively ended in March 2025, citing improved regulatory sentiment. Ripple subsequently indicated a settlement was near, though the $125 million penalty discussions remain incomplete, with two settlement negotiations previously failed.
XRP Army: Devotion Despite Challenges
Despite years of SEC scrutiny and persistent jokes within the broader cryptocurrency community mocking XRP holders (such as the recurring “Uber driver” meme), the XRP Army expresses unwavering dedication to the asset.
Members credit their persistence to belief in XRP’s fundamentals as a fast, fair, and cheaper payment alternative, as well as the community’s active advocacy. Member James Rule lamented that many abandoned the crypto early on, adding: “I didn’t sell.”
MackAttackXRP identified the current dynamic as a fight against “evil” and for “a fair, cheap, and fast coin… so we can get rid of those expensive, slow banks.”
The XRP price surge has revealed differing community perspectives on the next valuation targets.
Some, like Army member James Rule, believe a $5 price point represents a valid entry point, predicting an appreciation regardless of the recent ATH, adding: “Many sold out before Trump took office, and now they regret it.”
However, MackAttackXRP holds a strong conviction based on technical analysis, predicting a much higher ceiling at $27. He stated: “We’ve been saying that for years because technical analysis never lies. Only the timeframe is sometimes questionable.” Long-term holders like MackAttackXRP plan to hold steadfast until this technical target is met.
