XRP ETF Approval Looks Likely—But It’s Not a Done Deal Yet
The odds of an XRP spot ETF getting approved just got a lot higher—at least, that’s what Bloomberg’s ETF analysts think. James Seyffart and Eric Balchunas put the chances at 95%, which is about as close to a sure thing as you’ll get in the crypto world. Still, nothing’s guaranteed until the SEC actually signs off.
Franklin Templeton, Bitwise, and ProShares are among the asset managers already lining up with applications. It’s a sign that institutions are warming up to XRP, even after years of legal uncertainty. And let’s be honest—having a crypto-friendly political climate probably doesn’t hurt.
The Legal Hurdles Aren’t Over
Ripple’s fight with the SEC has dragged on for years, but there might finally be some movement. Both sides recently asked a federal court to undo part of an earlier ruling that labeled Ripple’s XRP sales as securities violations. They also tried to negotiate that $125 million fine down to $50 million, with Ripple getting the rest back.
But Judge Analisa Torres wasn’t having it. She shot down the request, saying they hadn’t met the high bar for reopening the case. So where does that leave things? The SEC hasn’t confirmed if it’ll keep pushing its appeal, but Ripple’s already agreed to drop its side of the fight.
There’s also that closed-door SEC meeting scheduled for July 3. Some are hoping it could signal the end of this whole mess—though, knowing how these things go, maybe that’s too optimistic.
Why Institutions Are Still Hesitant
Even after XRP got some legal clarity in 2023, big players have been slow to jump in. BlackRock, for instance, might be waiting for the Ripple case to fully wrap up before making a move. Or maybe they’re just biding their time.
Meanwhile, other firms aren’t waiting around. Bitwise filed for an XRP ETF back in October 2024, and others like 21Shares and WisdomTree followed. Then there’s Grayscale’s Digital Large Cap Fund, which got SEC approval to convert into a spot ETF. XRP’s included in that mix, alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum—so while it’s not a dedicated XRP ETF, it’s still progress.
Outside of ETFs, there’s been growing institutional interest. Companies like Webus and Wellgistics have poured money into XRP, and VivoPower committed $121 million. If this keeps up, some are guessing XRP could push past $5—or even higher.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Right now, XRP’s sitting at $2.18, down slightly in the past day. It’s had a solid year (up 348%), but short-term swings are still unpredictable. If selling pressure keeps up, we might see it dip below $2.13 before any real rebound.
So, is an XRP ETF a lock? Probably. Will it happen tomorrow? Don’t count on it.
