XRP News Today: XRP ETFs Approved by U.S. Regulators in Mid-2025

In mid-2025, the digital asset world was electrified by the news that three XRP futures ETFs had been approved by U.S. regulators. XRP, created by Ripple Labs, had long been the preferred choice for speedy and cost-effective cross-border payments. With the ETF approval, XRP transitioned from being merely a payment instrument for financial institutions to a regulated investment vehicle, poised to transform how institutions and individuals access the digital asset market.

XRP stands out due to its unique characteristics. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) uses a consensus algorithm that allows transactions to settle in seconds for a fraction of a cent, unlike Bitcoin's energy-intensive mining model. Over 300 financial institutions already utilize RippleNet's peer-to-peer network, leveraging XRP as a bridge for instant, borderless payments. Key features of XRP include incredibly fast settlement times of 3–5 seconds, extremely low costs usually less than $0.01, and a fixed supply with a portion burned with every transaction.

The range of XRP investment products has expanded rapidly, offering investors several ways to achieve regulated, secure, and easy access to the asset. Notable offerings include the 21Shares XRP ETP (AXRP), Purpose XRP ETF, Grayscale XRP Trust, Bitwise Physical XRP ETP (GXRP), and CoinShares Physical XRP ETP. Each of these products provides unique features and benefits, catering to different investor needs and preferences.

The 21Shares XRP ETP (AXRP) is a 100% physically backed exchange-traded product, where every share is fully backed by real XRP tokens held in institutional-grade cold storage. This arrangement offers transparency and security to investors. AXRP is easy to use, accessible through traditional brokerage accounts without the need to handle wallets or private keys. The product is integrated into the larger financial system, enabling access to the convergence of blockchain and mainstream finance. 21Shares also focuses on climate protection, investing in environmental initiatives in addition to its crypto products.

The Purpose XRP ETF, launched in June 2025, is Canada's first spot XRP ETF, providing direct access to the native currency of the XRP Ledger. It offers a CAD-hedged option, protecting Canadian investors from currency risk associated with the U.S. dollar. The ETF is held in cold storage with reputable custodians like Gemini and Coinbase, and can be used in registered accounts like TFSAs and RRSPs. Purpose made this product advisor-friendly, allowing investors to easily add XRP exposure to their portfolios without the operational inconvenience of dealing with digital assets directly.

Grayscale's XRP Trust offers exposure to XRP in a closed-end trust structure, appealing to individual and institutional accredited investors. The Trust holds XRP as its sole asset, tracking the performance of the XRP Ledger. Shares may trade on secondary markets, but no guarantee is provided. Similar to other Grayscale products, the Trust may trade at a premium or discount relative to the value of the underlying asset, and investors should expect potential liquidity and pricing differences.

Bitwise's GXRP ETP is a physically backed security listed on Germany's XETRA exchange. It provides legal right to the underlying XRP, with assets in professional cold storage held by an independent trustee. The ETP is redeemable for physical XRP or sellable on the exchange, offering investors flexibility and protection. Issued under German law, GXRP is structured for transparency and cost-efficiency with a total expense ratio of 1.95% per annum.

CoinShares offers a leading physically-backed XRP ETP, listed on a number of European markets including Xetra and SIX Swiss Exchange. Every XRP is kept in institutional-grade custodian Komainu, whose reserves are independently audited and publicly disclosed for transparency. CoinShares' ETP is available to investors through standard investment platforms, offering a simple means to gain secure, regulated exposure to XRP.

The path to ETF approval was not straightforward. Ripple Labs' decade-long legal battle with the SEC over whether XRP constituted a security or currency left the market in suspense. In 2024, a federal court judge declared most of the sales of XRP not to be securities, and the SEC dropped its appeal after Ripple settled for a $125 million fine. This judicial clarity paved the way for ETF filings by Bitwise, 21Shares, Canary Capital, and others.

With ETFs now available, XRP is no longer just an engineering solution for banks—it's a gateway between conventional finance and blockchain. As products go to market and regulatory environments evolve, XRP's speed, efficiency, and transparency make it a cornerstone of the digital asset revolution. The approval of XRP ETFs marks a new era for Ripple and digital assets, opening up new opportunities for investors and institutions alike.