XRP News Today: XRP ETF Marks Blockchain's Rise as Global Payment Infrastructure

Franklin Templeton has launched the Franklin XRP ETF (XRPZ), marking a significant expansion of its digital asset offerings and signaling growing institutional confidence in XRP as a regulated investment vehicle. The fund, which began trading on NYSE Arca on November 24, is structured as a grantor trust that holds XRP tokens directly and tracks the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate (New York Variant). This move follows Ripple's August 2025 settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which resolved a five-year legal battle and cleared the way for regulated XRP products.

The XRPZ ETF joins Franklin Templeton's existing suite of crypto-linked exchange-traded products, including the Franklin Bitcoin ETF (EZBC) and Ethereum ETF (EZET). Roger Bayston, head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton, emphasized XRP's role as a "foundational building block" in global settlement infrastructure, citing its utility in cross-border payments and decentralized networks. The fund offers daily transparency, liquidity, and custodial security through Coinbase Custody Trust Company, with BNY Mellon handling administrative and cash custody duties.

The launch coincided with a surge in institutional demand for XRP-specific ETFs, driven by regulatory clarity and XRP's established use case in low-cost, high-speed transactions. On its first day, XRPZ attracted $62.59 million in inflows, contributing to a total of $164 million in XRP-focused ETF inflows. This outpaced the performance of Solana ETFs, which had seen $568 million in cumulative inflows over a month, highlighting XRP's rapid adoption in the altcoin ETF space.

Franklin Templeton's aggressive pricing strategy further bolstered investor interest. The firm waived fees on the first $5 billion in assets through May 2026, effectively offering a zero-cost carry trade for early adopters. This competitive edge, combined with XRP's recent price rebound-up 8.25% in 24 hours-positioned the ETF as a compelling option for diversified portfolios. Analysts noted that XRP's low correlation to traditional assets and its role in the XRP Ledger's (XRPL) cross-currency settlement infrastructure make it an attractive addition to institutional crypto strategies.

The XRPZ launch also reflects broader industry momentum, with Grayscale, Bitwise, and Canary Capital introducing similar products in quick succession. These offerings underscore the maturation of the digital asset market, where blockchain-native tokens are increasingly viewed as infrastructure components rather than speculative assets. David Mann, Franklin Templeton's head of ETF Product and Capital Markets, highlighted that XRP's federated consensus model and energy efficiency align with institutional preferences for scalable, sustainable solutions.

Market observers anticipate further growth in XRP ETF inflows, with current trends suggesting a potential $2 billion in assets under management by year-end. However, challenges remain, including regulatory uncertainties and XRP's historical volatility. Franklin Templeton's XRPZ, along with other XRP ETFs, aims to mitigate operational complexities for investors while navigating these risks.