The long-awaited listing of XRP on Coinbase has finally become a reality, marking a pivotal development in the digital asset’s journey. Users can now buy, sell, convert, send, receive, and store XRP directly through Coinbase.com and its mobile apps for Android and iOS. This integration significantly broadens access to the cryptocurrency, reinforcing its position in the mainstream crypto ecosystem.
While the service is available in most regions globally, it is not yet accessible to users in the United Kingdom and New York State—jurisdictional restrictions that reflect ongoing regulatory considerations.
Coinbase emphasized XRP’s utility beyond simple peer-to-peer transfers. In its official announcement, the exchange highlighted that:
“All accounts on this network can send or receive XRP to/from each other, while XRP can be used to send underlying fiat currencies between two parties. In this way, XRP can function as a bridge currency in transactions involving different currencies such as US dollars, Japanese yen, Euros, Francs, and others in use on the XRP network.”
This underscores XRP’s role in facilitating fast, low-cost cross-border payments—a core use case championed by Ripple for years.
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Market Response: Immediate Surge Followed by Consolidation
Following the announcement on February 25, XRP’s price surged approximately 10%, briefly reaching $0.34 within 30 minutes. According to CoinMarketCap data at the time of writing, the price settled around $0.32, reflecting partial profit-taking but sustained investor interest.
Such a sharp reaction illustrates the market’s sensitivity to exchange listings—particularly on a platform with Coinbase’s reach and credibility. The listing not only improves liquidity but also lends legitimacy to XRP amid lingering regulatory scrutiny.
Questions Over Compliance: Does XRP Meet Coinbase’s Listing Criteria?
Despite the optimism, a growing debate has emerged over whether XRP truly meets Coinbase’s own listing standards. Central to this discussion is Coinbase’s Digital Asset Framework, which outlines key requirements for token inclusion.
One specific criterion states:
“The ownership stake retained by the team is a minority stake. There should be a lock-up period and reasonable vesting schedule to ensure the team is economically incentivized to improve the network into the future.”
However, analysis from blockchain research firm Diar suggests Ripple holds approximately 60% of XRP’s total supply in escrow, released gradually over time. This level of centralized control appears to contradict Coinbase’s stated principle of minority team ownership.
Diar’s report from February 26 noted:
“Coinbase has now clearly abandoned one of their own pillars for the potential listing of a cryptocurrency… ‘the ownership stake retained by the team is a minority stake,’ a fact far from reality as Ripple holds nearly 60% of the supply in escrow with a release schedule.”
This discrepancy has led some observers to question whether Coinbase applied consistent standards across assets or made an exception for XRP due to strategic or market-driven reasons.
Community Skepticism and Allegations of Insider Activity
Beyond structural concerns, parts of the crypto community have raised suspicions about pre-announcement market manipulation. Some allege insider trading occurred ahead of the Coinbase listing news.
Notably, Twitter user Crypto Bitlord shared charts indicating unusual buying volume just before the official announcement, followed by a sharp price increase—a classic “pump” pattern. The subsequent large green candle suggested coordinated buying, which many believe points to non-public information being exploited.
While no evidence has been presented to substantiate these claims, they reflect broader skepticism within decentralized communities about fairness and transparency in major exchange decisions.
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Institutional Confidence: SBI Group Backs XRP’s Future
Amid skepticism, notable institutional support continues to bolster XRP’s credibility. This week, Japan’s SBI Holdings, led by CEO Yoshitaka Kitao, announced that its new platform SBI VCTrade will launch in March, enabling users to trade XRP and other digital assets using Japanese Yen.
More significantly, SBI envisions Japanese banks adopting XRP for real-world financial applications by 2030—with a milestone goal tied to the Osaka Expo 2025. This long-term roadmap signals strong belief in XRP’s utility for institutional cross-border settlements.
Such backing from a major financial player in Asia contrasts sharply with the caution shown by U.S. regulators and adds weight to arguments that XRP serves a legitimate technological purpose beyond speculation.
FAQ: Addressing Key Questions About XRP and the Coinbase Listing
Q: Why is XRP not available in the UK and New York?
A: Regulatory frameworks in these jurisdictions remain under review. Coinbase complies with local laws, and restrictions may be lifted as clarity improves.
Q: Does Ripple control too much of the XRP supply?
A: Ripple holds about 60% of XRP in escrow, with monthly releases capped at 1 billion tokens. While this exceeds Coinbase’s stated minority ownership rule, Ripple argues that escrow mechanisms ensure responsible distribution.
Q: Can individuals still mine or create new XRP?
A: No. All 100 billion XRP tokens were pre-mined at inception. No new coins are created, making XRP deflationary in nature if tokens are lost or burned.
Q: Is XRP considered a security by U.S. regulators?
A: The SEC has filed litigation against Ripple alleging unregistered securities offerings. The case is ongoing and could influence future listings and regulations.
Q: What makes XRP valuable if it's centrally managed?
A: Its value stems from utility—particularly fast settlement times (3-5 seconds) and minimal transaction fees (~$0.0002)—making it ideal for global remittances and banking infrastructure.
Q: Will other major exchanges follow Coinbase’s lead?
A: Many are watching closely. A favorable regulatory outcome could prompt wider relistings across platforms that previously delisted XRP.
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Final Thoughts: A Turning Point Amid Uncertainty
The listing of XRP on Coinbase represents both a milestone and a flashpoint. On one hand, it reflects growing acceptance of digital assets with practical applications in finance. On the other, it highlights tensions between decentralized ideals and centralized realities in blockchain projects.
Whether Coinbase compromised its framework or evolved its criteria remains debatable. What's clear is that demand for accessible, scalable payment solutions continues to drive innovation—and scrutiny.
As institutional adoption grows and legal battles unfold, XRP stands at the intersection of technology, regulation, and market dynamics. Its path forward will likely influence how other asset issuers navigate compliance while maintaining control over their ecosystems.
For investors and developers alike, staying informed—and cautious—is more important than ever in this rapidly shifting landscape.
Core Keywords: XRP, Coinbase listing, Ripple, digital asset framework, cryptocurrency news, cross-border payments, crypto compliance