XRP News Today: SEC's 20-Day Clock Kicks Off XRP ETF Race to Mainstream

The cryptocurrency market is witnessing a pivotal shift as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) appears poised to fast-track approval for XRP spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 21Shares AG, a leading digital asset provider, triggered a 20-day automatic review period under Section 8(a) of the Securities Act by filing an amended prospectus for its XRP ETF, signaling a critical step toward institutional adoption of Ripple's token. This move follows similar actions by firms like Canary Capital Group and Franklin Templeton, amplifying optimism that XRP could soon join Bitcoin and Ethereum in the ETF mainstream according to reports.

The Section 8(a) filing mechanism allows ETF proposals to become effective automatically after 20 days unless the SEC intervenes - a process that has historically seen over 70% of filings approved without objection. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted that 21Shares' filing "starts the clock" for a potential launch, mirroring recent precedents with Bitcoin and Ethereum. The proposed XRP ETFs, which will use custodians like Gemini and BitGo and tie pricing to indices such as the CoinDesk XRP NY Rate, aim to provide institutional investors with a regulated, liquid vehicle to access the token according to industry sources.

XRP's price surged over 6% to $2.32 following the news, reflecting heightened investor confidence. The token's institutional appeal is further bolstered by Ripple's ecosystem advancements, including the XRP Ledger's 100 million+ ledgers milestone and partnerships with Mastercard and WebBank. Analysts argue that an approved XRP ETF could catalyze broader adoption, particularly in cross-border payments, where XRP's speed and low cost already outpace traditional systems.

Meanwhile, Ethereum's recent Fusaka upgrade, designed to enhance scalability by 10-fold, faces lingering challenges in competing with XRP's institutional momentum. While Ethereum's on-chain activity remains robust, with whales accumulating $1.38 billion in ETH over 10 days according to market data, the network's scalability hurdles and regulatory uncertainties cast a shadow over its near-term prospects. Ethereum's price, currently trading at $3,410, faces resistance at the 200-day EMA, highlighting the need for sustained institutional inflows to mirror Bitcoin's ETF-driven rally.

The XRP ETF race has also sparked comparisons to Ethereum's early ETF struggles. Nate Geraci of ETF Prime described the current wave of XRP filings as a "definitive shift" toward mainstream acceptance, contrasting with Ethereum's protracted regulatory battles. International XRP ETFs, such as the Rex-Osprey XRP ETF with $114.6 million in assets under management, demonstrate proven demand, further pressuring U.S. regulators to act.

Privacy coins like Zcash (ZEC) and Decred (DCR) have also seen renewed interest, buoyed by a $50 million investment from Tyler Winklevoss's Cypherpunk Technologies. While unrelated to XRP or Ethereum, this trend underscores growing institutional appetite for niche crypto assets with unique value propositions.

As the SEC's 20-day clock ticks for XRP ETFs, market participants are closely watching for signs of approval. With XRP's institutional infrastructure maturing and Ethereum's upgrades yet to fully materialize, the token's potential to replicate Bitcoin's ETF-driven success could redefine the crypto landscape in 2025.