XRP News Today: XRP Futures ETF Launches on Nasdaq Amid Regulatory Delays

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has shed light on the significance of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for Wall Street and institutional investors. His insights come at a time when the first XRP futures ETF has been launched on Nasdaq, and regulatory delays from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continue to impact the market.

In Ripple’s “Crypto in One Minute” series, Garlinghouse emphasized two key reasons behind the growing excitement around crypto ETFs. Firstly, ETFs offer institutional investors, such as pension funds, endowments, and mutual funds, a streamlined and regulated way to gain cryptocurrency exposure. Previously, these investors were limited to self-custody or trading on centralized exchanges, both of which come with drawbacks and regulatory complexities. Garlinghouse noted that this development unlocks capital that was previously unable to enter the crypto market.

Secondly, Garlinghouse pointed out that ETFs are “institutionalizing” the crypto market. He cited the remarkable success of Bitcoin ETFs, which set records as the fastest ETFs to reach $1 billion and subsequently $10 billion in assets under management. This rapid growth underscores the accelerating mainstream adoption of crypto investment vehicles. Garlinghouse predicted that crypto ETFs could eventually rival the gold ETF in terms of assets under management.

Garlinghouse’s remarks coincide with significant developments in the crypto ETF landscape. On May 19, 2025, CME Group launched XRP futures contracts, marking a pivotal moment for XRP’s institutional adoption. Following this, on May 22, Volatility Shares launched the first-ever XRP futures ETF in the United States, which is now listed on Nasdaq under the ticker XRPI. This ETF primarily invests in XRP-linked futures contracts, providing institutional investors with an additional regulated pathway to access Ripple’s native token.

Despite the strong demand potential and similar successes in the crypto ETF space, regulatory hurdles remain. The SEC has delayed decisions on several other ETF applications, including Bitwise’s and CoinShares’ XRP ETFs, a Litecoin ETF, and Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETF proposal. These delays reflect the agency’s historically cautious stance toward approving crypto investment products. However, analysts have speculated that approvals could start rolling out as soon as late June or July if the SEC decides to ease its deferrals.

Garlinghouse's insights also highlight the importance of regulatory clarity in the crypto space. The approval of Bitcoin ETFs by regulatory bodies has provided a level of legitimacy that has attracted more investors. As the regulatory environment continues to evolve, other cryptocurrencies, including XRP, could benefit from similar regulatory approvals, leading to increased adoption and investment.

The success of Bitcoin ETFs serves as a blueprint for the future of cryptocurrency investments. As more ETFs are launched and gain traction, the crypto market is likely to see further growth and innovation. Garlinghouse's comments suggest that XRP, with its unique features and use cases, could be the next cryptocurrency to experience rapid growth and institutional adoption. The timing of XRP futures hitting Nasdaq adds to the anticipation surrounding the cryptocurrency's potential.

In conclusion, the rapid growth of Bitcoin ETFs, as highlighted by Ripple's CEO, underscores the increasing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies. The success of Bitcoin ETFs sets a precedent for other digital assets, including XRP, to follow a similar path. As the regulatory environment continues to evolve and more ETFs are launched, the crypto market is poised for further growth and innovation.