Ripple rides ETF tailwind, but Unilabs’ presale demand is rewriting the script for what a crypto launch can look like
Institutional money is finally flowing into XRP. With a green light from the SEC for an XRP ETF, big players are calling it the next serious alternative in the banking ecosystem. But even as Ripple’s price climbs, a lesser-known player—Unilabs—is flipping heads and shaking up the scene in a way Ripple can’t right now.
Backed by AI and real-yield incentives, Unilabs has crossed $30 million in assets under management within days. And if early demand is any clue, this isn’t your average presale.
XRP’s Institutional Moment Has Arrived
Ripple’s been trying to get into Wall Street’s good books for years. Now it’s there.
On April 30, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved an XRP-based ETF, and things took off almost instantly. By mid-May, XRP had surged past $2.30—a level not seen in years.
This ETF decision didn’t come out of nowhere. It followed months of speculation, lobbying, and a softened regulatory tone toward crypto. For Ripple, whose core pitch has always been institutional banking rails, this marks a turning point.
But it’s not just the ETF. Institutions are buying in.
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Asset managers are reportedly shifting altcoin allocations toward XRP.
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Ripple Labs is doubling down on partnerships with cross-border payment platforms.
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Analyst projections suggest XRP could breach $3.00 if inflows stay steady through Q2.
One hedge fund manager in London called the XRP ETF “the gateway drug” for conservative finance to enter altcoin land.
That’s a bold claim, but not entirely out of touch with reality.
Unilabs Isn’t Waiting for Wall Street’s Blessing
While Ripple wins the hearts of big finance, Unilabs is tapping into something entirely different—retail FOMO with serious tech underneath.
Unilabs bills itself as the first AI-powered DeFi asset manager. That’s a mouthful, but it basically means this: they’re trying to make hedge fund-level crypto tools available to regular people.
And the market’s eating it up.
In just a few days, Unilabs’ AUM has soared past $30 million. That’s an insane number for a protocol still in its presale. For context, many DeFi projects don’t hit that milestone even a year post-launch.
One reason? The protocol’s smart fund system.
Unilabs offers four AI-managed funds tailored for different strategies:
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AI Fund for algorithmic trading
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BTC Fund for Bitcoin-centric holdings
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RWA Fund for real-world assets like tokenized bonds
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Mining Fund for exposure to crypto mining profits
This variety appeals to different investor risk appetites. You’re not just parking your money and hoping for the best—you’re picking a strategy.
Why Unilabs Is Getting Attention From Both Sides of the Market
Here’s where things get interesting. Unilabs isn’t just drawing in everyday investors. Strategic backers—some with links to traditional funds—are reportedly eyeing long-term positions.
It helps that Unilabs isn’t just offering potential price appreciation. The platform has built-in yield mechanics through revenue-sharing.
Basically, 30% of platform fees go back to token holders.
That’s real yield. Not smoke and mirrors, not staking with inflationary rewards. Just a portion of actual platform profits going to users, depending on how many $UNIL tokens they hold.
And it seems like people are taking notice. According to public wallet data, thousands of wallets have already committed funds in the presale—some with five-figure contributions.
XRP vs Unilabs: Two Paths, One Destination?
Both XRP and Unilabs are gunning for something bigger: financial legitimacy in a space still haunted by rug pulls and vaporware.
But the roads they’re on couldn’t look more different.
| Metric | XRP | Unilabs |
|---|---|---|
| Core Audience | Institutions, banks | Retail, AI/DeFi investors |
| Recent Catalyst | XRP ETF Approval (April 2025) | Explosive presale launch |
| Assets Under Management (AUM) | Est. $5B+ (via ETF, custodians) | $30M+ (within days of presale) |
| Yield Model | Price speculation, utility adoption | 30% fee redistribution to holders |
| Regulatory Landscape | SEC-cleared ETF | Currently operating via presale |
XRP has the regulation edge. It’s got the Wall Street stamp of approval. But Unilabs, with its revenue-sharing and fund strategy, is courting an entirely different crowd.
One isn’t necessarily better than the other. But they’re playing different games.
What Happens Next?
If XRP’s ETF continues to draw institutional cash, expect its price to push even higher. There’s talk of $3.50 if flows stay strong through June.
But don’t sleep on Unilabs.
Presale hype is notorious for short-term pumps followed by dumps. But this project feels…different. Maybe it’s the AI narrative. Maybe it’s the actual AUM number. Maybe it’s the fact that the protocol has something concrete—working funds, smart contracts, dashboards.
Or maybe it’s just hitting the market at exactly the right time.
Whatever the case, both XRP and Unilabs are showing that crypto’s not just back—it’s branching out. Different models, different users, but one common thread: people want in.
