HIGHLIGHTS$XRP surged over 30% in the past day and broke through the $1 resistance level, driven by a favorable shift in the US regulatory landscape and anticipated pro-crypto policies from the incoming Trump administration.Speculation around SEC Chairman Gary Genslers possible resignation has raised hopes for Ripples legal case to conclude, potentially leading to even higher $XRP price momentum.Analysts project that $XRP could reach $5 by the end of 2024, equating to a 277% increase from its current levels.Beyond $XRP, investors are eyeing meme coins like Pepe Unchained, Flockerz, and Crypto All-Stars for potentially high returns, with presale prices steadily increasing as these projects gain traction.$XRP Price Climbs to New Heights, Surpassing $1The $XRP price is on a tear, skyrocketing 30% in the last 24 hours to reach $1.08, finally breaking through the $1 resistance level that has held since December 2021.Long-time $XRP holders, often called the XRP Army, are reveling in their vindication as the so-called bankers coin proves its resilience despite past skepticism.But, as it turns out, a new political landscape can make all the difference. The anticipated pro-crypto stance of the Trump administration and Congress is expected to ignite a renewed crypto bull market.Key Catalysts Driving XRPs RallySeveral recent developments aligned with the Trump-led, risk-on sentiment have fueled the surge in XRPs price.Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouses announcement about engaging with Trumps transition team gained attention after being reported in the Washington Post on November 11.The following day, Garlinghouse referenced it in a social media post.Additionally, during his speech at the 56th Annual Institute on Securities Regulation, SEC Chairman Gary Gensler gave what many interpreted as a farewell message.This shift is highly significant for Ripple, as Genslers departure could bring an end to the SECs legal case against the company over alleged unregistered securities.Before I close, I want to say something about the SEC and its staff. Its a remarkable agency. The staff and Commission are deeply mission-driven, focused on protecting investors, maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitating capital formationIts been a great honor to serve with them, doing the peoples work, and ensuring that our capital markets remain the best in the worldIve been proud to serve with my colleagues at the SEC who, day in and day out, work to protect American families on the highways of finance. SEC Chairman, Gary GenslerBefore the recent election, legal analysts anticipated a settlement in Ripples favor. Now, with the potential exit of Gensler, the likelihood of the SEC dropping the case entirely has increased.Although Trump cannot directly remove Gensler, he could demote him from Chairman to a regular commissioner.Most analysts expect Gensler to resign instead. The hints in his latest speech certainly pointed in that direction, and the resulting wave of optimism in the market drove $XRP to new highs, as seen in the chart below.$XRP Projected to Hit $5 by Late 2024Despite potential market corrections as the Trump-fueled rally wanes, $XRP appears poised for a bull run that could surpass its previous peak of $3.84 (or $3.30 using daily close prices).The target for year-end 2024 stands at $5, marking a 277% surge from the current price of $1.08.Additionally, a recent burn of 13M $XRP tokens has contributed to the bullish momentum.Cross-Border Payments Remain $XRPs Core Strength$XRP stands in a strong position as a liquidity solution for financial institutions focused on cross-border transactions. While $XRPs broader utility has expanded, this remains the core strength driving its adoption.A regulatory shift in the US, driven by the incoming administration, could transform $XRP into a globally dominant payment solution.Ripple is also expanding its offerings with its new stablecoin, $RLUSD, under the Ripple Payments Solution brand, which could gain traction among both corporate and sovereign users, especially in the context of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).Strategic Insights: Bernstein Bullish on CryptoOn Monday, US brokerage Alliance Bernstein issued a bullish note to its clients, urging them to Buy everything you can in the crypto space.While $XRP is likely to be a star performer, a diversified portfolio should include a range of digital assets to maximize returns.Exploring High-Potential Meme Coins: Pepe Unchained and More$XRP might be a standout performer, but meme coins are currently the hottest trend in crypto. Here are three meme coins worth considering during their ICO phase for the best returns.Pepe Unchained ($PEPU)The first meme coin with its own Ethereum Layer-2 blockchain, Pepe Unchained, has already raised $32M. The ICO ends in 27 days, making it a limited-time opportunity.Pepes Pump Pad forms a key part of the rapidly-growing $PEPU ecosystem. Its an Ethereum-based platform where users can launch meme coins effortlessly.The presale price of $PEPU increases every 12 hours, and its currently sitting at $0.01286.Whales have already dived into $PEPU, as evidenced by a recent $50K purchase.Flockerz ($FLOCK)Dubbed the peoples meme coin, Flockerz is pioneering a Vote-to-Earn model where token holders guide project decisions and are rewarded for their participation. With nearly $2M raised, $FLOCK is currently priced at $0.0060289.There are only 36 hours left in its current price stage.Crypto All-Stars ($STARS)Crypto All-Stars introduces unified staking for meme coins through the MemeVault Network. Investors can stake various meme tokens while holding $STARS to maximize their rewards.The project is bearing down on $4M in presales, with the token priced at $0.001568 for a limited time.Where to Buy?The presales mentioned can be accessed via the Best Wallet app, which also offers its native token, $BEST, exclusively to its users through a private sale.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Aaron covers crypto topics with an emphasis on providing accessible, informative perspectives. His background includes over a decade in higher education and 5+ years as a freelance writer in crypto & SEO.When he's not writing professionally, Aaron enjoys writing for fun, volunteering for a local charity, and boxing. View all articles by Aaron Walker Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.