XRP News Today: ProShares Launches XRP Futures ETFs July 18 2025

ProShares, a prominent asset manager, has officially designated July 18, 2025, as the effective date for the launch of its suite of XRP futures-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This decision follows a post-effective amendment filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 11, 2025. The amendment sets the official start date for the firm’s registration statement, marking a significant development in the crypto investment landscape.

The upcoming ETFs include three distinct funds: the ProShares Ultra XRP ETF, the ProShares UltraShort XRP ETF, and the ProShares Short XRP ETF. Unlike spot ETFs, which directly hold the asset, these ETFs are futures-based and track the performance of XRP futures contracts, likely traded on regulated markets. These ETFs are also leveraged and inverse in structure. The Ultra XRP ETF is designed to return twice the daily performance of XRP futures, while the UltraShort and Short XRP ETFs are tailored for bearish positioning, allowing investors to profit from declining XRP prices. However, such products carry elevated risk and are typically intended for sophisticated traders rather than long-term retail holders.

The move by ProShares is particularly notable given the regulatory uncertainty surrounding XRP. The SEC’s ongoing legal battle with Ripple has created a cloud of uncertainty around XRP’s classification. By using futures-based structures, ProShares can sidestep the legal limbo associated with spot holdings of XRP. Futures-based ETFs do not require direct custody of the underlying asset and fall under a more clearly defined regulatory framework, particularly when the futures are traded on platforms like the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). This makes them a strategic workaround for asset managers seeking to offer XRP exposure while remaining compliant with current SEC standards.

Although ProShares has set July 18 as the effective date, actual trading may still depend on approvals and broader market conditions. These procedural factors could affect when and how the ETFs become available to investors. Still, the effective filing marks a pivotal step toward greater institutional access to XRP, which advocates have long called for. The announcement has sparked optimism that a spot XRP ETF could eventually follow, particularly if the regulatory outlook for Ripple and XRP becomes clearer in the months ahead.

As the market awaits the official trading debut, the ProShares XRP ETFs represent a milestone moment, not just for XRP but for the evolving landscape of crypto-backed financial products in the United States. The launch signals growing institutional interest in XRP and introduces new avenues for exposure, but with some nuance. The news was first spotlighted by crypto influencer JackTheRippler, who shared the update on X, sparking widespread buzz across the XRP community and broader digital asset markets.