SEC Moves XRP ETF Closer to Reality, Setting Off Countdown Toward Potential Approval

Grayscale's spot XRP ETF proposal is now in the public comment phase, giving investors and institutions a 21-day window to provide feedback.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially recognized Grayscale and NYSE Arca’s 19b-4 filing to launch a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), initiating a countdown for potential approval. This development marks a major step forward for XRP and the broader cryptocurrency market as institutional interest continues to grow.

Grayscale’s spot XRP ETF proposal will now enter a public comment phase, giving investors and institutions a 21-day window to provide feedback. Following this period, the SEC will decide whether to approve, reject, or initiate formal proceedings on the ETF’s future.

This 19b-4 filing serves as the second critical step in launching an XRP ETF. Once it is officially published in the Federal Register, the approval process will gain further momentum.

The SEC’s recognition of this filing marks a broader shift in its approach to cryptocurrency-based investment products. With Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs already approved, the focus has now turned to other major digital assets, including XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin.

This change comes after the departure of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who maintained a skeptical stance toward cryptocurrencies, often labeling them as securities. Under the new leadership of SEC Chair Paul Atkins and a pro-XRP administration, digital asset ETFs are gaining ground in regulatory discussions.

Several asset management firms, such as WisdomTree, Bitwise, 21Shares, and Canary Capital, have filed for spot XRP ETFs. Unlike futures-based products, a spot ETF allows investors to gain direct exposure to XRP without holding the asset themselves.

The introduction of an XRP ETF would mark a significant step toward integrating crypto into mainstream finance. Institutional investors, hedge funds, and retail traders would gain easier access to XRP, potentially boosting liquidity and price stability.

Following the SEC’s acknowledgment of the ETF filing, XRP's price surged 4% to $2.589, reflecting growing optimism in the market. According to analysts, if the SEC approves the ETF, it could bring an influx of $4 billion to $8 billion in new capital into XRP’s ecosystem within the first year alone.

Meanwhile, on the betting platform Polymarket, the probability of a spot XRP ETF being approved in 2025 has surged to 81%. These developments suggest that institutional investors are betting big on XRP's future.

The evolving regulatory environment under a pro-crypto administration could further accelerate the approval of XRP ETFs. The SEC’s decision to approve spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs earlier this year already set a precedent for additional digital asset ETFs.

While regulatory clarity is still developing, the increasing interest from major asset managers and institutional players suggests that XRP may be at the cusp of a historic financial breakthrough. If the SEC ultimately gives the green light, XRP could transition from a utility-driven asset to a fully recognized mainstream financial instrument.

As the market eagerly awaits the SEC’s next move, one thing is clear: the XRP ETF revolution isはこちらから