XRP News Today: Regulatory Clarity and Institutional Demand Drive XRP ETF's Record Debut

The Canary XRP ETF (XRPC) launched on Nasdaq on November 13, 2025, with a record $58 million in first-day trading volume, eclipsing all other 2025 ETF debuts and signaling robust institutional and retail demand for regulated XRP exposure. The fund, the first U.S. spot XRP ETF, tracks the XRP-USD CF Benchmarks Reference Rate Index and operates with a 0.50% management fee, offering investors direct exposure to XRP without navigating cryptocurrency exchanges. Its launch follows a regulatory breakthrough after Canary Capital's automatic SEC approval via Form 8-A filing on November 10.

The ETF's performance outpaced the recent debut of Bitwise's Solana Staking ETF, which generated $531 million in net assets during its first week. Analysts, including Bloomberg's Eric Balchunas, highlight XRPC's potential to surpass Solana's gains, citing XRP's $143 billion market cap and its established role in cross-border payments. Within 30 minutes of trading, XRPC generated $26 million in volume, with inflows exceeding $250 million by market close. Despite XRP's 1% decline ahead of the launch, experts anticipate price stability and growth as institutional adoption accelerates.

The ETF's structure addresses key investor concerns. Custody services from Gemini Trust Company and BitGo, alongside compliance with stringent regulatory standards, enhance confidence. Steven McClurg, CEO of Canary Capital, emphasized XRP's utility in real-world applications, stating the token's ecosystem - including partnerships with global financial institutions - positions it for sustained inflows. Analysts project the ETF could attract $4–$8 billion in institutional investment, leveraging XRP's low market liquidity to drive price surges.

Market dynamics, however, remain complex. While XRPC's debut drew significant capital, XRP's price dipped 5.2% in the 24 hours post-launch, mirroring broader crypto market volatility. On-chain data shows 149 million XRP tokens - worth $336 million - were withdrawn from exchanges ahead of the ETF's launch, tightening liquidity and amplifying price sensitivity. Meanwhile, Standard Chartered upgraded its XRP price target to $12.50 by 2028, reflecting confidence in regulatory clarity and institutional adoption.

The XRPC launch marks the beginning of a wave of XRP ETFs, with Franklin Templeton, Bitwise, and 21Shares planning launches in late November. This surge aligns with Nasdaq's broader embrace of crypto products, including upcoming XRP futures, signaling a maturing market for digital assets. As XRP ETFs gain traction, they may redefine institutional access to cryptocurrencies, bridging traditional and digital finance.