XRP News Today: XRP ETFs Signal Shift to Utility-Driven Crypto as Payments Market Expands

The Bitwise XRP ETF (ticker: XRP) began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on November 20, 2025, marking a pivotal moment for XRP and the broader crypto investment landscape. Managed by Bitwise Asset Management, the fund offers exposure to XRP, the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, which has a 13-year history and a $127.3 billion valuation. The ETF charges a 0.34% management fee, waived for the first month on the first $500 million in assets, aiming to attract early adopters and institutional capital.

The launch follows a surge in XRP-focused ETF activity, with multiple providers - including Franklin Templeton, 21Shares, and CoinShares - planning similar products within the same week. This "ETF supercycle" reflects growing institutional confidence in XRP's utility as a cross-border payment solution, a market projected to reach $250 trillion by 2027. Canary Capital's XRPC ETF, which debuted earlier in November, saw $58 million in first-day trading volume, underscoring strong retail and institutional demand.

The XRP Ledger, which processes four billion transactions and settles payments in 3–5 seconds, is increasingly being adopted for tokenizing traditional assets, including U.S. Treasuries and private credit. However, risks remain. The ETF, not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, carries high volatility and liquidity risks. Market fluctuations were evident during the XRPC launch, which closed 7.8% lower amid a broader crypto market decline.

Regulatory clarity has been a key catalyst. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's updated guidance on crypto ETFs enabled firms to launch products without prior SEC approval, accelerating the influx of XRP and other altcoin ETFs. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse highlighted this shift, noting that XRP's inclusion in the federal digital asset stockpile and recent court rulings favoring the cryptocurrency have normalized its status. "XRP now stands on an equal playing field with other digital assets," said Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan, emphasizing the token's low-cost, high-volume transaction network.

Industry experts anticipate further momentum. Grayscale's XRP Trust ETF, set to launch soon, and Franklin Templeton's pending product signal continued institutional validation. "XRP's strong retail community and regulatory progress have created pent-up demand," said Presto analyst Min Jung, noting that liquidity providers and arbitrage traders also fueled early ETF activity.

The ETF's success could reshape global payments. By enabling traditional investors to access XRP through familiar vehicles, the product aligns with Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley's vision of digital assets "reshaping how money moves worldwide". Yet challenges persist, including XRP's speculative profile and concentration risk, as the token's price remains influenced by Ripple Labs' large holdings.

As the crypto ETF landscape matures, XRP's role as a utility-driven asset may distinguish it from store-of-value coins like Bitcoin. With multiple ETFs now available, the market's ability to absorb this influx - and sustain XRP's price - will hinge on institutional adoption and regulatory stability.

---