The altcoin market is buzzing on January 30, 2025, as two major developments reshape the landscape for XRP and the broader digital asset ecosystem. The XRP Ledger activates a crucial amendment enabling automated market maker pools for Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, while Grayscale Investments moves to convert its XRP Trust into a spot exchange-traded fund — a filing that could open the floodgates for institutional XRP investment.
TL;DR
- XRP Ledger’s AMMClawback amendment (XLS-73d) goes live on January 30, enabling XRP/RLUSD AMM pools on the XRPL decentralized exchange
- Grayscale files with NYSE Arca to convert its XRP Trust into a spot XRP ETF via a 19b-4 filing
- XRP trades at approximately $3.12, posting modest gains amid growing DeFi capabilities on XRPL
- Ethereum holds above $3,200, Solana and Cardano also register gains as altcoin market rallies
- Total crypto market cap reaches $3.5 trillion, buoyed by the Fed’s dovish rate decision
AMMClawback Amendment Unlocks RLUSD Liquidity on XRPL
The XRP Ledger reaches a significant milestone on January 30 as the AMMClawback amendment, designated XLS-73d, officially goes live at 7:37 PM UTC after surpassing the required 80% validator consensus. The amendment enables tokens with clawback clauses — specifically Ripple USD (RLUSD) — to participate in automated market maker pools on the XRPL decentralized exchange.
Before this upgrade, RLUSD is unable to participate in AMM pools due to the clawback feature built into the stablecoin’s design. With the amendment activated, users can now create XRP/RLUSD liquidity pools, dramatically expanding trading opportunities and deepening liquidity on the XRPL DEX. XRPscan confirms the amendment’s activation following a 14-day voting period.
Ripple CTO David Schwartz celebrates the development, noting that the XRP/RLUSD AMM Pool is created on the XRPL DEX shortly after activation, with a total of four AMM pools going live. The upgrade represents a strategic step forward for Ripple as it seeks to position RLUSD as a competitive stablecoin in an increasingly crowded market dominated by Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC.
Grayscale Moves for Spot XRP ETF
In a parallel development that captures the attention of the entire crypto market, Grayscale Investments submits a request through NYSE Arca to convert its existing XRP Trust into a spot XRP exchange-traded fund. The 19b-4 filing, recorded on January 30, marks a significant escalation in the race to bring XRP-based investment products to U.S. markets.
Grayscale’s move comes amid a flurry of XRP ETF applications from multiple asset managers, including 21Shares and Franklin Templeton. Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart notes that such filings are part of a broader trend of crypto ETF applications following the successful launches of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in 2024.
The filing signals growing institutional confidence in XRP following Ripple’s partial legal victory against the SEC in 2023, which established that XRP is not a security when sold on public exchanges. The regulatory clarity provided by that ruling is paving the way for traditional financial products tied to XRP’s price.
Broader Altcoin Market Rides the Wave
The positive momentum extends well beyond XRP. Ethereum holds firmly above $3,200 at $3,247, driven by the same macro catalysts that lift Bitcoin past $105,000 — specifically the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold rates steady and Chair Powell’s pro-crypto banking comments. Solana continues its strong run, while Cardano, Chainlink, Stellar, Toncoin, and Polkadot all post notable gains.
The altcoin market benefits from a rotation dynamic where investors, emboldened by Bitcoin’s recovery, begin allocating capital to higher-beta assets. The total crypto market capitalization reaches $3.5 trillion, reflecting broad-based participation across sectors — from DeFi protocols to Layer 1 blockchains and AI-related tokens like Bittensor and the Artificial Superintelligence Alliance.
Stablecoin markets also see increased activity, with RLUSD’s expanded capabilities positioning it to capture a growing share of on-chain liquidity. As more AMM pools come online on XRPL, the ecosystem’s total value locked is expected to grow, attracting yield-seeking investors and traders.
Why This Matters
The combination of XRPL’s AMMClawback activation and Grayscale’s XRP ETF filing represents a maturation of the altcoin ecosystem on multiple fronts. On the technology side, XRPL gains DeFi functionality that brings it closer to parity with competing chains like Ethereum and Solana. On the institutional side, the XRP ETF filing signals that the post-Ripple-vs-SEC regulatory landscape is opening new doors for altcoin investment products. Together, these developments suggest that 2025 could be the year altcoins graduate from speculative plays to legitimate components of diversified digital asset portfolios.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
XLS-73d going live at 7:37 PM UTC with 80% consensus is the most xrpl thing ever. quiet, no drama, just ships
Grayscale filing a 19b-4 for spot XRP ETF on NYSE Arca right after the AMM activation is not a coincidence. they timed this perfectly to ride the momentum
XRP at $3.12 with this news feels underpriced. spot ETF filing alone should push it higher once the SEC review cycle starts
RLUSD finally getting AMM pools after being locked out is a big deal for XRPL DEX depth. the 14 day voting period was surprisingly fast tbh