XRP News Today: Bitwise XRP ETF Bridges Traditional Finance and Blockchain Innovation

Bitwise Asset Management's XRP ETF (ticker: XRP) launched on the New York Stock Exchange on November 20, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. The fund, which provides direct exposure to XRP, aims to capitalize on the asset's 13-year track record and its role in modernizing cross-border payments. With a 0.34% management fee waived for the first month on the first $500 million in assets, Bitwise seeded the ETF with 1.11 million XRP tokens, valued at approximately $2.27 million. The launch comes amid growing institutional interest in XRP-based investment vehicles, following the recent debut of the Canary XRPC ETF.

The XRP Ledger, which powers the token, has processed over 4 billion transactions since its inception, with average daily volume of $1.9 billion and settlement times of 3–5 seconds. Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan highlighted XRP's "durability, efficiency, and active user base" as key differentiators, noting its potential to disrupt the $250 trillion cross-border payments market. However, the ETF's debut coincided with broader crypto market volatility. XRP's price dipped to $2.12 on launch day, with analysts warning that a break below the support level could push it toward $1.95 according to market analysis.

The ETF's structure, which holds XRP directly in a trust, distinguishes it from traditional ETFs, as it is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Bitwise emphasized that the product is not equivalent to direct XRP ownership but offers a regulated avenue for investors to access the asset. The firm also hosted a live X Space with Ripple CTO David Schwartz and journalist Eleanor Terrett to discuss the ETF's implications for the XRP community and the evolving crypto landscape.

Competitive pressures are intensifying, as Grayscale and Franklin Templeton prepare to launch their own XRP ETFs on November 24, signaling a rapid expansion of the regulated crypto investment market. Meanwhile, the UK Serious Fraud Office's recent arrests in a £21 million NFT-based crypto scheme underscore the regulatory scrutiny facing the industry.

Despite challenges, Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley expressed optimism about XRP's future, stating that the ETF reflects "a new crypto-forward regulatory regime" where XRP competes on an "equal playing field" with other digital assets. The firm's strategy to expand XRP adoption aligns with its broader vision to bridge traditional finance and blockchain innovation.