XRP News Today: BlackRock Delays XRP ETF Filing Despite Favorable Legal Rulings

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, continues to hold off on filing for a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), despite the recent regulatory and legal developments that have reshaped the landscape for the cryptocurrency [1]. The dismissal of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) case against Ripple in December 2020 was a pivotal moment, as it clarified that XRP is not classified as a security in retail transactions, potentially removing a major hurdle for the approval of XRP-based investment vehicles [1]. However, the legal process is not fully concluded, as the $125 million penalty imposed on Ripple remains in escrow and will not be transferred to the U.S. Treasury until both parties dismiss their appeals [8].

Industry analysts have speculated that BlackRock may be waiting for greater legal clarity before moving forward [1]. Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store, has suggested that the timing could be ideal for the firm to expand its cryptocurrency offerings beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum [1]. However, Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas has expressed skepticism about the immediacy of such a filing, noting that while the idea is plausible, it is more based on instinct than on concrete evidence [1].

Recent market dynamics have also fueled speculation. In the wake of the SEC case dismissal, XRP’s price surged over 13% in 24 hours, significantly outperforming the broader crypto market [1]. South Korean exchanges reported a 1,211% spike in trading volumes, and derivatives traders moved aggressively, purchasing more than 100,000 contracts at strike prices of $3.10 and $3.20, signaling expectations of increased volatility [1]. Prediction markets have also reflected optimism, with the odds of XRP ETF approval on Polymarket rising to 88% following the legal resolution [1].

Some experts have suggested that regulatory deadlines may prompt BlackRock to file for XRP and Solana ETFs by October 2025 [3]. This comes as institutional investors continue to show growing interest in crypto, with over $85 billion flowing into Bitcoin in 2025 alone. BlackRock itself has moved $4 billion into crypto-related products in just two weeks, although most of this capital has gone into Bitcoin rather than altcoins like XRP or Solana [6]. This raises questions about whether the broader market is ready for a new XRP ETF or whether BlackRock is simply waiting for more favorable conditions [6].

Long-term optimism about XRP remains, with some analysts forecasting significant price gains. Geoffrey Kendrick at Standard Chartered has predicted that XRP could reach $12.25 by 2029, a move that would imply a 310% gain from its current level [9]. However, such forecasts depend heavily on the approval of XRP-based investment products, including ETFs, and remain speculative in nature [9].

Institutional adoption of cryptocurrency appears to be gaining traction, with asset managers becoming more comfortable with small allocations to Bitcoin to improve risk-adjusted returns [7]. This growing familiarity could eventually extend to XRP, especially if the regulatory environment continues to improve [7].

The decision by BlackRock to file for an XRP ETF will likely depend on both market demand and regulatory developments [1]. Until then, XRP remains in a state of anticipation, with investors and analysts closely monitoring the asset manager for any signs of movement [1].

Source:

[1] title1: BlackRock Still Hasn't Filled for XRP ETF - But Now Things ... (https://coindoo.com/blackrock-still-hasnt-filled-for-xrp-etf-but-now-things-are-different/)

[3] title3: BlackRock Likely To File For Spot XRP And Solana ETFs By October, Given Regulatory Deadline, Says Expert (https://www.inkl.com/news/blackrock-likely-to-file-for-spot-xrp-and-solana-etfs-by-october-deadline-says-expert)

[6] title6: Institutional Investors are Exiting Crypto (and buying this ... (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/51-the-mark-moss-show-83953109/episode/institutional-investors-are-exiting-crypto-288885774/)

[7] title7: How Wary Asset Managers Learned to Stop Worrying and ... (https://www.institutionalinvestor.com/article/how-wary-asset-managers-learned-stop-worrying-and-embrace-crypto)

[8] title8: Manuel - Ripple Hasn't Paid Fine Yet ... (https://m.facebook.com/manuel.guevarra.369210/photos/ripple-hasnt-paid-fine-yet-the-125m-penalty-remains-in-escrow-and-wont-be-releas/738426722403872/)

[9] title9: Prediction: XRP (Ripple) Will Be Worth This Much in 10 Years (https://www.aol.com/prediction-xrp-ripple-worth-much-072500398.html)