What is XRP ETF? When will the XRP ETF be approved?

Cryptocurrency Exchange
What is XRP ETF? When will the XRP ETF be approved?
The year 2025 marked a historic turning point in the cryptocurrency market in terms of regulation and institutional interest. In particular, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) decisions regarding XRP ETF applications became the focus of both investors and market analysts.
So what exactly is an XRP ETF, and when was the approval process completed? In this article, we take a step-by-step look at how XRP ETFs work, the approval timeline, and their impact on the markets.

What is an XRP ETF?

XRP ETFs are exchange-traded funds that offer investors the opportunity to access XRP price movements through traditional brokerage firms without directly participating in the cryptocurrency market. These funds track the price performance of digital assets, allowing investors to invest in XRP indirectly.

How Does an XRP ETF Work?

An institution wishing to issue an XRP ETF, such as Franklin Templeton, applies to an exchange like Cboe BZX for a rule change. After the SEC approves the application, market makers transfer a certain amount of XRP to the custodian in exchange for “creation units.” These units are then converted into ETF shares and offered to investors. If the price of these shares falls below the net asset value, an arbitrage mechanism kicks in; investors redeem their shares for XRP, restoring price equilibrium.
xrp etf
To minimize manipulation risks, the fund relies on a reference index based on price data from multiple exchanges with high trading volumes and publishes daily reports showing asset allocation. While independent audit firms verify the fund's wallet balances, the custodian uses multi-signature verification, cold storage systems located in different regions, and insurance coverage to enhance security. Management fees are expected to be at a level between the rates seen in Bitcoin ETFs (below 20 basis points) and the higher costs associated with less liquid assets.

When Will XRP ETFs Be Approved?

The launch of XRP ETFs was met with intense institutional interest, and the approval process moved quite quickly. The first approval, which came on September 18, 2025, was a turning point for the market. This development paved the way for other pending applications. After a quiet October, a wave of approvals occurred in November 2025. On November 13, a major fund provider's ETF began trading on Nasdaq. With new approvals following shortly thereafter, the process was officially completed in early December 2025 with another fund entering the market, securing XRP ETFs a permanent place in global markets.

What Are the Reasons Behind the Growing Interest in XRP ETFs?

Interest in XRP ETFs has been growing significantly in recent times. The most important reason for this is that these funds offer investors a safer and more accessible entry point into the cryptocurrency market. Through ETFs, investors can benefit from XRP's price movements without opening a digital wallet or trading directly on crypto exchanges.
Additionally, reduced regulatory uncertainty and the SEC's approval of certain funds have strengthened market confidence. Ripple's active use of XRP in cross-border payment solutions has highlighted the asset's real-world use cases, further boosting interest.

XRP ETF Advantages

For investors in the traditional financial world, XRP ETFs are an innovative tool that greatly simplifies access to crypto assets. One of the biggest advantages is that it eliminates the need for custody and wallet management. This allows investors to invest in XRP price movements without having to deal with technical details such as private keys, recovery phrases, or hardware wallets.
Furthermore, these funds stand out in terms of reliability as they are officially approved financial products. ETF shares are traded on regulated exchanges; brokerage firms, custodians, and fund managers are also subject to existing capital market regulations. This structure ensures that investors trade under legal protection.
Another important advantage is portfolio integration. XRP ETF shares can be held in the same account as other investment instruments such as stocks or bonds. This makes risk management, reporting, and tax planning processes simpler and more comprehensive.

XRP ETFs vs. Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs

XRP ETFs
Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs
A token focused on cross-border payments operating on the Ripple network
The two most established digital assets in the crypto market
Gain access to XRP, used in Ripple's payment infrastructure, through a regulated investment vehicle
Enabling easy access to digital assets for institutional and individual investors
Approved in the last quarter of 2025, the regulatory process is newer and still developing
SEC-approved spot ETFs (Bitcoin) as of 2024 and Ethereum ETFs approved in mid-2025
The liquidity process is in its early stages as it has just been approved.
Mature products in terms of market value and trading volume
Spot ETF (trading on reserved XRP)
Spot ETF (with physical underlying assets)
Risk factors: Liquidity, market volatility, uncertainties surrounding the new ETF structure
Risk factors: Volatility, market manipulation, regulatory changes
Risk factors: Volatility, market manipulation, regulatory changes
Advantages: Wide market access, high liquidity, strong brand trust

The Impact of XRP ETF Approval on the XRP Price

xrp etf approval

It is impossible to completely disregard the impact of XRP ETFs on the price. This is because every new investment directed towards ETFs indirectly affects the supply of XRP in the market. When money flows into funds, a certain amount of XRP is purchased and reserved by custodians in exchange for this amount. This reduces the amount of XRP in circulation, which generally creates upward pressure on the price.
Conversely, when money flows out of ETFs, funds may have to sell the XRP they hold in their portfolios back to the spot market. If these sales occur at high volumes and there are insufficient buyers in the market, a downward effect on the XRP price may be observed. Therefore, XRP ETF approvals can be considered an important macro factor that can influence the price direction through elements such as investment flows, supply-demand balance, and market psychology.

XRP ETF Risks

As with any investment vehicle, XRP ETFs carry certain risks and limitations. The primary risk is market volatility. Sudden changes in the price of XRP are directly reflected in the ETF price. Therefore, investors may see significant movements in the fund's value in a short period.
Another risk factor is fund management costs. XRP ETFs incur additional expenses such as custody, management, and rebalancing fees. These costs may prevent the fund from perfectly tracking the XRP price.
On the other hand, risks related to investor behavior should also be considered. Since the ETF format simplifies the investment process, some investors may not monitor price changes closely enough. However, it should be noted that XRP ETF prices largely track XRP's market performance and carry a similar level of market risk.
larkLogo2025-12-15
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The information, comments, and evaluations contained in this content do not constitute investment advice. This content is not intended to be prescriptive in any way and is intended to provide general information. It does not constitute investment advice. CoinTR cannot be held responsible for any transactions made based on this information or any losses that may arise.
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