The long wait for a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) may soon end. ETF Institute Co-Founder Nate Geraci has forecasted that the first spot XRP ETF could launch within days.
In an X post, Geraci said he expects in “next two weeks” for the XRP ETF approval, suggesting the green light could arrive much sooner. His prediction comes amid growing signs that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has softened its stance toward digital assets following leadership changes earlier this year.
SEC shutdown and delays favor XRP ETF
The SEC reportedly missed several key deadlines for XRP ETF applications due to the recent U.S. government shutdown, which forced the agency to suspend many operations. That lapse could now trigger automatic approval for multiple pending filings.
The Grayscale XRP ETF was first in line for approval on October 17, followed by five other applicants — 21Shares, Bitwise, Canary Capital, CoinShares, and WisdomTree — all awaiting decisions in October. Notably, Canary Capital updated its XRP ETF filing to include revised language suggesting a launch by November 13.
Canary’s confidence isn’t unfounded. The firm recently saw its Litecoin and Hedera (HBAR) ETFs automatically approved after meeting the SEC’s filing requirements.Â
Meanwhile, Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas stated that Bitwise has revised its XRP ETF proposal to have a management fee of 0.34% and is intending to trade on NYSE Arca, which is an indication that it is preparing to trade.
Ripple’s legal win paved the way
The excitement surrounding an XRP ETF comes just months after Ripple’s landmark victory against the SEC. The lawsuit, which dragged on for more than five years, accused Ripple Labs of selling XRP as an unregistered security.
However, earlier this year, the crypto-friendly SEC led by its Chair Paul Atkins, who was appointed to the position under the Trump administration, officially dismissed the case.
This marked a major turning point for both Ripple and the broader crypto industry. With the lawsuit behind it, XRP’s legal status is now clearer than ever, allowing institutional investors to consider exposure through regulated products like ETFs.
Geraci described the anticipated XRP ETF launch as the “final nail in the coffin of previous anti-crypto regulators,” referring to the Gary Gensler-led SEC that was known for its tough stance on digital assets. He added, “We’ve come a long way.”
Market reaction: Traders take profit, but momentum builds
Following the latest ETF optimism, XRP has been reaching a high of $2.54 earlier on and has since dropped by 4.67% to $2.42 in the past 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap.
Although the trading volumes declined slightly, the increase was almost 75%, indicating an increase in the trading volumes and interest of the traders before the possible ETF approval.
Cryptocurrency analyst Ali Martinez warned that XRP might revisit support at the levels of $2.25 in the near term as a few investors make profits. Nevertheless, he also stated that a successful ETF release would cause another buying spurt, which might push the prices of XRP to the levels of resistance at $2.80 and $3.
On-chain data also reveals that whales are hoarding XRP, especially when Evernorth is developing its treasury, indicating that big investors are getting in line before big institutional flows that an ETF can introduce.
Why the XRP ETF launch truly matters
The possibility of a spot XRP ETF to be launched is not merely another product being listed but a symbolic and structural change in the U.S. crypto landscape. It shows that regulators are beginning to recognize digital assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum as suitable for mainstream investment vehicles.
In the case of Ripple, it strengthens the legitimacy following years of legal disputes. To investors, it is a controlled entry point to XRP exposure, mitigating risks of buying the tokens directly. And to the wider crypto industry, it would allow the entry of additional altcoin-based ETFs, increasing market diversity and liquidity.
What lies ahead for XRP and investors
If approved, the XRP ETF would be added to a list of increasingly popular crypto ETFs, such as spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, which reported billions in inflows in just a few weeks of their debut.
The XRP ETF might do the same, particularly considering that XRP has a good retail following and a use case in cross-border payments. The potential impact is further amplified by entities like Evernorth, a Ripple-backed firm aiming to build a $1 billion corporate treasury by holding XRP, providing public market exposure for institutions without the complexity of a direct token purchase.
As Geraci hinted, the launch could happen any day now, marking yet another milestone in crypto’s mainstream journey. The question of whether this momentum will persist remains to be seen. But one thing is evident, the period of anti-crypto regulation in the U.S. is fading away, and the period of tentative acceptance and institutional integration is beginning.
Also Read: Seasoned Traders Exit Fuels XRP’s 27% Price Drop Since August
