XRP News Today: Investor Optimism for XRP ETF Hits 83% Despite SEC Delays

Investor optimism for a spot XRP ETF has surged, with the odds of approval sitting at 83% according to Polymarket’s data. This optimism comes despite the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) repeatedly pushing back decision deadlines. Some industry observers suggest that the regulator is simply utilizing its full review window, which is a standard practice.

According to an analyst, the SEC often takes the full 240 days to review 19b-4 filings. The agency recently requested an additional 45 days to rule on Bitwise’s Ether staking change, moving the deadline to May 22. This pattern indicates that any early summer approvals for spot ETFs are highly unlikely, with final due dates for almost all spot ETF bids now set for October.

On May 19, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange introduced an XRP futures contract for the first time. Shortly after, Volatility Shares listed the XRPI futures ETF on Nasdaq, and Tectrium added a 2x Long Daily XRP ETF for those seeking more leverage. These products allow traders to bet on XRP’s future price in a regulated setting, signaling growing interest among institutional investors. However, they are not the same as a spot ETF.

Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, emphasized the importance of ETFs in allowing Wall Street to invest in crypto without dealing with exchanges or private wallets. He noted that the Bitcoin ETF reached $1 billion in assets faster than any other and then hit $10 billion on record, suggesting a similar trajectory for XRP-related products.

Delays in SEC decisions are not uncommon. The commission has already postponed decisions on Grayscale’s XRP tracking fund and a Solana ETF. Analysts caution that odds in prediction markets can fluctuate significantly. An 83% chance today could decrease if the SEC raises new questions or requests another comment period. Investors are advised to monitor the calendar as October approaches.

The excitement around an XRP spot ETF is palpable, but historical data shows that regulators move at a deliberate pace. Futures ETFs like XRPI offer one avenue into XRP’s market, but they come with complexities such as contango and premium swings. For now, both institutional investors and retail traders will closely watch the SEC’s deadlines with a mix of excitement and patience.