XRP News Today: BlackRock Holds Off on U.S. Spot XRP ETF Despite Legal and Market Shifts

BlackRock has confirmed it has no immediate plans to file for a U.S. spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), despite a recent milestone in the XRP legal landscape. On August 8, 2025, the firm stated that it does not intend to pursue such a product, even after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple Labs jointly requested an appeals court to dismiss their legal dispute, effectively signaling the end of a nearly five-year battle [1]. This announcement has raised questions about the firm’s strategy and the broader market dynamics for XRP.

The asset manager has already made significant inroads in the bitcoin and ether ETF markets but has shown no sign of expanding into altcoins with the same urgency. BlackRock’s head of digital assets, Robert Mitchnick, previously noted that for the firm’s client base, bitcoin remains the overwhelming focus, with ether receiving only a fraction of that attention [1]. This suggests that while XRP may have a strong following among retail investors and in certain markets, it has not generated sufficient institutional demand to warrant a dedicated ETF at this stage.

Regulatory uncertainty is another factor contributing to BlackRock’s cautious stance. Although XRP is generally not considered a security and is traded on public exchanges, the broader regulatory environment for altcoins remains unclear. BlackRock may be waiting for more definitive guidance from the SEC before moving forward [1]. This approach contrasts with that of other firms, such as ProShares, which filed for a spot XRP ETF in early 2025.

Additionally, the competitive landscape in the XRP ETF space may be discouraging BlackRock from entering. At least seven other firms, including Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, and 21Shares, have submitted applications for XRP ETFs, reducing the potential first-mover advantage and possibly limiting the market opportunity [1]. While some market participants expect a price surge following an ETF approval, BlackRock appears to be prioritizing data-driven decision-making and may not believe the current market conditions justify a new product.

The firm’s global strategy also plays a role in its hesitation. XRP’s trading activity is largely concentrated in Asia, a market where BlackRock’s ETF offerings are less prominent. This could mean that the firm is focusing its resources on markets with stronger growth potential and higher demand for its existing products [1]. Meanwhile, XRP’s recent price performance has been mixed, trading at approximately $3.1852 as of press time, with a 3.92% decline in the past 24 hours [1].

BlackRock’s decision reflects a broader trend of prudence in the ETF market, where firms are weighing the potential returns of new crypto products against regulatory and market risks. As the crypto space continues to evolve, the firm’s approach may serve as an indicator of where institutional capital is currently flowing — away from altcoins like XRP and toward more established assets like bitcoin and ether.

Source: [1] U.S. Spot XRP ETFs: Five Possible Reasons Behind BlackRock’s Hesitation to File for One (https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/10/u-s-spot-xrp-etfs-five-possible-reasons-behind-blackrock-s-hesitation-to-file-for-one)