XRP, the digital asset designed for fast and efficient cross-border payments, is making headlines with a dramatic surge that has vaulted it past major players like Solana (SOL) and Tether (USDT) in market capitalization. As investor sentiment heats up, XRP has climbed to $2.68—just shy of its peak after touching $2.81 early Monday—marking a staggering 424% gain over the past 30 days alone.
With a current market cap of $152.5 billion and a fully diluted valuation reaching $257.4 billion, XRP now stands as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market size. This explosive momentum comes amid growing institutional interest, particularly around the potential launch of a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF).
WisdomTree Files for Spot XRP ETF
A pivotal development fueling this rally emerged last week when Fox News reporter Eleanor Terret revealed that WisdomTree, a global leader in ETF innovation, had filed paperwork for a spot XRP ETF in Delaware. The official filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), now publicly available, confirms the creation of the “WisdomTree XRP Fund.”
This proposed fund aims to offer traditional investors direct exposure to XRP by issuing shares traded on the Cboe BZX Exchange. Unlike synthetic or futures-based products, a spot ETF would hold actual XRP tokens, enhancing transparency and regulatory legitimacy.
Notably, Coinbase—the largest regulated cryptocurrency exchange in the United States—has been named as both custodian and prime execution agent for the fund. While this strengthens trust in security and operational reliability, the filing itself acknowledges potential conflicts:
“Coinbase serves as the XRP custodian and prime execution agent for several competing exchange-traded XRP products, which could adversely affect the Trust’s operations and ultimately the value of the Shares.”
Despite such risks, the involvement of reputable financial institutions signals maturing infrastructure and increasing confidence in XRP’s long-term viability.
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21Shares Also Enters the XRP ETF Race
WisdomTree isn’t alone in pursuing regulated XRP access. In early November, Swiss-based asset manager 21Shares submitted a Form S-1 registration statement to the SEC for the “21Shares Core XRP Trust.” Designed as a passive investment vehicle, this trust intends to track the price of XRP with minimal fees and maximum transparency.
The dual filings from established financial firms underscore a broader trend: institutional demand for compliant, accessible crypto products is rising. If approved, these ETFs could open floodgates of capital from pension funds, retail investors, and wealth managers who have previously avoided direct crypto holdings due to custody and volatility concerns.
Why XRP’s Rally Makes Sense Now
Several factors converge to explain XRP’s recent outperformance:
- Institutional Validation: Regulatory clarity following Ripple’s partial legal victory against the SEC has reduced uncertainty.
- Real-World Utility: RippleNet, powered by XRP, continues to expand its network of financial institutions using blockchain for low-cost international transfers.
- Market Timing: With Bitcoin nearing new highs and altcoins regaining momentum, capital is rotating into high-potential assets with strong narratives.
- ETF Hype Cycle: Similar to Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF approvals, anticipation around an XRP ETF is driving speculative interest.
XRP previously reached its all-time high of $3.40 in January 2018 during the last major bull run. Today’s price action suggests it may be poised to challenge or even surpass that milestone—especially if regulatory tailwinds continue.
Core Keywords Driving Interest
The surge in XRP’s visibility is closely tied to several high-intent keywords:
- XRP price prediction
- XRP ETF news
- Ripple vs SEC
- XRP market cap
- spot XRP ETF
- XRP all-time high
- WisdomTree XRP Fund
- 21Shares XRP Trust
These terms reflect strong search demand from investors seeking timely updates, technical analysis, and regulatory insights—precisely the information this article aims to deliver with accuracy and depth.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is XRP available in ETF form yet?
A: As of now, no spot XRP ETF has been approved by the SEC. However, both WisdomTree and 21Shares have filed formal registration statements, marking significant progress toward potential approval.
Q: What caused XRP’s recent price spike?
A: The rally was triggered by news of institutional ETF filings, combined with positive market sentiment following Ripple’s partial legal win over the SEC and increased adoption of RippleNet by global banks.
Q: Can U.S. investors buy XRP today?
A: Yes. After initial restrictions were lifted post-lawsuit, most major U.S. exchanges—including Coinbase—now list XRP for trading.
Q: How does a spot XRP ETF differ from other crypto ETFs?
A: A spot ETF holds actual XRP tokens, providing direct exposure to price movements. In contrast, futures-based ETFs rely on derivatives contracts, which can introduce tracking errors and higher costs.
Q: What is RippleNet and how does it use XRP?
A: RippleNet is a global payments network used by financial institutions to settle cross-border transactions quickly and cheaply. XRP acts as a bridge currency in some use cases, enabling real-time liquidity without pre-funded accounts.
Q: Could an XRP ETF be rejected by the SEC?
A: Yes—approval is not guaranteed. The SEC evaluates each application based on market integrity, investor protection, and anti-manipulation measures. Past decisions on similar products suggest scrutiny will be intense.
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Looking Ahead: Will XRP Reach New Heights?
With two major asset managers pushing for regulatory approval and investor enthusiasm building, XRP is positioned at a critical inflection point. While past performance doesn’t guarantee future results, the combination of technological utility, legal clarity, and institutional backing creates a compelling case for sustained growth.
For traders and long-term holders alike, staying informed about ETF developments, regulatory rulings, and macroeconomic trends will be key to navigating what could become one of 2025’s most dynamic crypto stories.
As always, investors should conduct thorough research and consider risk tolerance before entering volatile markets. But one thing is clear: XRP is no longer flying under the radar.