Crypto wrap: ETH, XRP and LTC see gains as Trump signs GENIUS Act into law

The cryptocurrency market continues to hover bullish even as Bitcoin (BTC) pare gains after reaching a new all-time high around $123k.

While BTC experienced significant profit-taking pressure, Ethereum, XRP, and Litecoin traded among the top gainers in the largest cryptocurrencies by market cap, with bullish sentiment heightened by the historic passage of the GENIUS Act.

President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on July 18, 2025.

Crypto market up amid GENIUS Act euphoria

Crypto regulation is a major aspect of the digital asset market’s growth, and news that the US Congress had passed key bills buoyed prices.

As noted, Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Litecoin (LTC) are among the notable performers.

Many have hailed the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for US Stablecoins Act (GENIUS Act) as a landmark legislation for the crypto industry.

Passed by the US House of Representatives with a vote of 308 to 122, the legislation establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for stablecoins, mandating stringent standards for reserves, audits, and transparency.

Industry experts view this as a step toward positioning the US as a global leader in digital assets.

Brian Armstrong, the co-founder and CEO of Coinbase, is among the crypto industry leaders to attend the signing of the GENIUS Act into law by President Trump.

Ethereum breaks above $3,600 as it leads altcoins higher

Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, registered decent gains on July 18, breaching a key resistance area to touch highs of $3,674.

A surge in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) inflows and the broader sentiment around the GENIUS Act buoyed bulls.

Analysts say ETH is likely to explode to above $5k.

XRP price

XRP, the native token of Ripple Labs, achieved a new all-time high of $3.65, marking a 4% gain for the day.

This modest performance pushed XRP's market capitalization past $204 billion. GENIUS Act and XRP spot ETFs are among top catalysts for the Ripple token that hit a new all-time high of $3.84 in 2018.

Litecoin (LTC) performance today

Litecoin price also recorded notable gains, rising approximately 3% to trade at around $105.

While Litecoin's increase was less pronounced than that of Ethereum and XRP, its performance reflects renewed investor interest in established altcoins amid the favorable regulatory environment.

The coin's consistent transaction speed and low fees continue to attract attention, particularly as the market anticipates increased adoption following the GENIUS Act's implementation.

Crypto market outlook

As regulatory clarity paves the way for broader adoption, investors are closely monitoring the potential for further gains in these digital assets, ETH, XRP and LTC will stand out as some of the top cryptocurrency tokens.

However, there's a whole ecosystem that could benefit from the landmark legislation, including Solana, Dogecoin, Hedera, and Stellar.

XLM is one of the best performers in the crypto market today.