XRP News Today: SEC's "Rain Delay" on XRP ETFs Tests Investor Patience as October Approaches

Grayscale Investments LLC has advanced its bid to convert its XRP Trust into a spot exchange-traded fund (ETF), seeking a listing on NYSE Arca amid growing institutional demand for crypto assets. The firm's 19b-4 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) designates Coinbase Custody Trust as the custodian and BNY Mellon Asset Servicing as the transfer agent, signaling a structured approach to regulatory compliance and operational infrastructure. This move aligns with Grayscale's broader strategy to replicate its successful conversions of Bitcoin and Ethereum Trusts into ETFs in 2024, a process that normalized crypto exposure for institutional and retail investors.

The SEC's decision on Grayscale's XRP ETF is slated for October 18, 2025, per a 240-day review timeline triggered by the filing's February 2025 submission. Delays, however, remain a risk due to the agency's constrained capacity following the recent U.S. government shutdown, which has paused evaluations of approximately 90 crypto ETF applications. Grayscale's XRP Trust, holding $16.1 million in assets under management, faces competition from other applicants, including Franklin Templeton, Bitwise, and WisdomTree, all of whom have filed spot XRP ETF proposals with varying deadlines between October 17 and October 25, 2025.

The regulatory landscape has shifted in favor of crypto ETFs, particularly under the Trump administration, which has prioritized U.S. leadership in digital assets. Recent executive actions and the re-election of Trump have spurred a surge in filings, with firms targeting tokens like Solana, Cardano, and even meme coins. Analysts note that XRP's legal clarity-bolstered by a 2023 court ruling that affirmed its non-security status-positions it as a prime candidate for approval. Bloomberg Intelligence assigns a 95% probability to XRP ETF approval, citing precedent set by Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs and the SEC's apparent shift toward accommodating institutional demand.

Market participants are already positioning for potential inflows. Institutional wallets hold $928 million in XRP, reflecting strategic accumulation as ETF approvals loom. If approved, Grayscale's XRP ETF could channel $5–7 billion into the asset, replicating the liquidity surge seen with Bitcoin ETFs. This would not only stabilize XRP's volatility but also legitimize its role in cross-border payments, a core use case championed by Ripple.

Critics, however, caution that regulatory uncertainty persists. The SEC's March 2025 extension of Grayscale's review period-citing "a longer period" for evaluation-highlights the agency's cautious stance. Analyst Eric Balchunas, a Bloomberg expert, has described the 64 altcoin ETF filings as a "rain delay," emphasizing that approvals hinge on the SEC's post-shutdown resourcing.

As October deadlines approach, XRP's price has consolidated around $2.86, with traders monitoring institutional flows and legal developments. For Grayscale and its peers, the outcome represents a pivotal moment in crypto's integration into traditional finance-a sector now primed to embrace digital assets with the same rigor as equities or commodities.

[1] Full List of XRP ETF Filings: New Dates, Deadlines, and ... (https://coinpedia.org/news/full-list-of-xrp-etf-filings-new-dates-deadlines-and-more/)

[2] SEC stalls Grayscale's XRP ETF, analyst says 64 altcoins are ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sec-stalls-grayscale-xrp-etf-133517561.html)

[3] SEC to rule on Grayscale's XRP ETF by October 18 as review ... (https://cryptobriefing.com/grayscale-xrp-etf-decision-october/)

[4] XRP SEC Countdown 2025: Your Complete ETF ... (https://liquidityfeed.com/article/xrp-etf-approval/)

[5] Grayscale Seeks XRP ETF Approval From SEC (https://www.blockhead.co/2025/01/31/grayscale-seeks-xrp-etf-approval-from-sec/)

[6] Grayscale Seeks XRP ETF Approval as Trump-Era ... (https://decrypt.co/303771/grayscale-seeks-xrp-etf-approval-as-trump-era-regulators-warm-to-crypto)

[7] XRP's Road to Mainstream Adoption - Meteora's ... (https://mmmeteora.substack.com/p/xrps-road-to-mainstream-adoption)

[8] XRP ETF Approval Hopes Drive Wall Street Accumulation (https://thecurrencyanalytics.com/altcoins/wall-street-quietly-accumulates-xrp-ahead-of-potential-etf-approval-203819)