Ripple Revolution: Valkyrie CIO Drops Hints about XRP ETFs on the Horizon

• Valkyrie CIO is optimistic about a potential XRP spot ETF.
• With this product, XRP has a good chance to soar to new heights in the long term.

In a recent revolutionary push for Ripple Labs Inc., Steven McClurg, Valkyrie Investments Chief Investment Officer (CIO) has hinted about the potential introduction of XRP Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). 

Valkyrie CIO’s Perspective

In a recent interview with Bloomberg Crypto, McClurg expressed optimism about the future of spot XRP ETFs. When questioned about the potential for other spot products for different crypto assets, McClurg hinted at the likelihood of Ethereum and Ripple (XRP) ETFs. 

He noted the recent addition of XRP to Grayscale’s trust as a publicly traded asset, suggesting that XRP or Ethereum spot ETFs might emerge in the market. McClurg emphasized the uncertainty in the market, stating that while spot ETFs might be more retail-oriented, anything could happen in the crypto space.

Notably, the crypto community has shown heightened interest in the possibility of an XRP ETF, with the term “XRP ETF” trending on social media platforms. This interest was fueled by Grayscale Investments’ decision to reintegrate XRP into its Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund. However, reports of Fidelity Investments launching an XRP Exchange-Traded Product were inaccurate, as the platform features 21Shares’ XRP ETP listed on the Swiss Exchange SIX.

Despite the growing buzz, not all experts share the same optimism. Bloomberg ETF analyst James Seyffart remains cautious, suggesting that XRP faces challenges in gaining approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He points out that the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) needs to list XRP futures on a regulated market of sufficient size before considering a spot XRP ETF, a milestone that seems distant.

Adding to the skepticism, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, has officially announced that it has no intentions of launching a spot XRP ETF. Financial journalist Charles Gasparino revealed this information, citing sources with direct knowledge of the matter. Gasparino highlighted the lack of regulatory clarity surrounding XRP as a major factor influencing BlackRock’s decision.

In a related development, Ripple has decided to pause its U.S. Initial Public Offering (IPO) plans due to regulatory challenges. Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, highlighted the perceived hostility of the U.S. regulatory environment as the primary reason for the pause.

Market Impact on XRP

The mere prospect of XRP ETFs has already had an impact on the market sentiment surrounding XRP. The price of XRP has experienced fluctuations in response to the news, with investors keeping a close look at further developments.

As of the time of writing, XRP is trading at $0.5479, up 0.3% in the last 24 hours. Furthermore, the market capitalization sits at $29.8 billion, and trading volume is pegged at $1.1 billion. Positive regulatory outcomes and successful ETF launches could potentially propel XRP to new heights, both in terms of market capitalization and mainstream recognition in the long term.