XRP Tops $1.37 as Rakuten Integrates Token for Payment in Japan
Ripple’s XRP price climbed to $1.37 on Tuesday, the highest over the past 24h, driven primarily by a major utility expansion with Rakuten’s payment integration in Japan.
Data from crypto exchanges indicate that XRP trading volume has increased sharply, up 61% to $ 29 billion at press time. The token, the fourth largest in the crypto market, climbed to $84 billion on Tuesday at a trading price of $1.3709, according to data from Coinglass.
In a notice, Rakuten Wallet, Rakuten’s cryptocurrency platform, today announced the launch of XRP as a spot trading and payment asset. The official statement hinted that users can directly exchange Rakuten points for XRP and use it for everyday consumption in Japan via Rakuten Cash/Pay.
This integration brings XRP into Rakuten’s e-commerce and payment network, which covers approximately 44 million users, over 3 trillion points (approximately US$23 billion), and more than 5 million merchants.
This directly embeds XRP into a mainstream commerce network, boosting its utility narrative. This is a tangible step toward real-world adoption, creating a new source of organic demand from a vast user base.
Despite negative retail sentiment, institutional flows have been strong. Spot XRP ETFs recorded $119.6 million in weekly inflows—the highest since December 2025—and whale accumulation hit a 10-month high
With positive sentiment, large, sophisticated investors are building positions, providing a counterweight to retail selling pressure and supporting the price floor.
Crypto analysts said the immediate focus is the launch of the Rakuten integration on April 15, with potential to drive XRP to a new high, trailing crypto analysts’ $1.40 target price.
Technically, XRP faces key resistance at $1.42. If buying momentum from the news holds and the price breaks above $1.42, it could target the $1.45–$1.50 range.
The downside is guarded by support at $1.35 and then $1.30, crypto analysts said. The combination of a near-term utility catalyst and steady institutional buying creates a favourable setup for XRP, though it must overcome technical resistance to extend gains. Bitcoin Gains as Iran Demands Crypto for Toll Payment