Your take on XRP highlights both its strengths and weaknesses in a pretty balanced way. On one hand, it's clear that XRP has carved out a niche for itself as an asset favored by institutions, especially with its real-time payment capabilities. Its potential to have an ETF and the fact that itās aligned with regulatory bodies makes it appealing for stability seekers. However, that very alignment with government agencies and its long-standing issues with the SEC create friction with the crypto community, especially those who value decentralization and independence from governmental oversight.
XRPās lack of speculative appeal due to its relatively flat price performance over the last couple of years also makes it less attractive to those who look at crypto primarily as a way to make quick profits. As you said, the speculative nature of crypto is what drives a lot of its popularity, and XRP isn't delivering on that front.
Plus, its recent political alignment might be perceived as Ripple catering more to the whims of policymakers than to the ethos of crypto enthusiasts, which could further alienate a portion of the community. So while XRP might have great utility and institutional backing, it's understandable why some might find it less exciting or in tune with the crypto revolution mindset.
$xr