XRP News Today: Institutional Crypto Access vs. DeFi Speculation: Investors Face a High-Stakes Crossroads

21Shares has filed for a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), triggering a 20-day review period that could lead to automatic approval by November 27 if regulators take no action. The move marks a pivotal step in expanding institutional access to XRP, the digital asset developed by Ripple, and signals growing regulatory clarity for crypto products.

The ETF, structured as an investment trust tracking the CME CF XRP Dollar Reference Rate, will list on the Cboe BZX Exchange and avoid leverage or derivatives, focusing solely on XRP's price movements, according to a Coinotag report.

The filing aligns with broader industry momentum, as Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and other firms have also submitted XRP ETF applications. This surge reflects shifting SEC policies under Chair Paul Atkins, which reduced review periods for spot crypto ETFs from 240 to 75 days in September, according to a Cryptopolitan report. Bloomberg senior ETF analyst Eric Balchunas confirmed 21Shares' submission, noting the streamlined timeline positions the fund for a potential late-November launch, the Coinotag report notes. The ETF's structure includes a seed investment by 21Shares US LLC, which will purchase initial baskets of XRP to ensure liquidity from day one, the Coinotag report notes.

XRP's price has shown resilience, trading at $2.32 as of early November with a 4.2% 24-hour gain, despite a 7% weekly decline, according to the Coinotag report. Analysts suggest the ETF's approval could drive institutional capital into the asset, mirroring the success of Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs. However, the regulatory landscape remains dynamic, with the SEC's final decision potentially influencing market sentiment.

While XRP dominates headlines, a separate DeFi project, Mutuum Finance (MUTM), has emerged as a speculative play for exponential gains. In its sixth presale phase, MUTM has raised over $18.5 million from 17,850 holders, with tokens priced at $0.035-up 250% from its initial $0.01 offering, according to a Cryptopolitan analysis. The project's dual-lending model, combining Peer-to-Contract (P2C) and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) mechanisms, aims to generate passive income for lenders while offering flexible borrowing terms. With Phase 6 nearing 90% allocation, the token price is set to rise to $0.04 in the next phase, creating urgency for investors seeking a 400% return if MUTM reaches its $0.06 launch target, the Cryptopolitan analysis notes.

Experts project MUTM could hit $14 by 2030, driven by its structured presale, buy-and-distribute mechanics, and planned V1 protocol launch on the Sepolia Testnet in Q4 2025, according to a Blockonomi analysis. The project's CertiK audit and $50,000 bug bounty program further bolster confidence, though critics caution that such high-growth forecasts remain speculative.

As the XRP ETF race intensifies and altcoins like MUTM gain traction, investors face a crossroads between regulated crypto exposure and high-risk, high-reward DeFi opportunities. The coming weeks will test whether institutional adoption can catalyze broader market optimism-or if volatility will persist amid regulatory and technical uncertainties.