XRP ETFs: The Chain Reaction Fueling Institutional Adoption in Crypto

Ripple (XRP) Price Outlook:

Value Set to Surge by 2026

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected to make pivotal rulings on XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) proposals in late 2025, with approvals likely to significantly impact the crypto sector. More than 72 ETF filings related to XRP are currently being assessed, including those from leading firms such as Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, and Bitwise. Bloomberg experts estimate a 95% likelihood of spot ETF approval, with final verdicts anticipated between October 18 and November 14, 2025.

The regulatory environment for XRP ETFs has evolved notably after the SEC revised its generic listing guidelines, reducing the approval process from 270 days to just 75 days. This change has accelerated the path for ETFs based on XRP,

, and other alternative cryptocurrencies. For example, the Hashdex ETF, which received approval on September 24, 2025, now counts XRP as its third-largest holding, making up 7.11% of its assets. At the same time, the ProShares Ultra XRP ETF (UXRP), introduced on July 18, 2025, has already offered leveraged access to XRP futures, reflecting increasing institutional engagement.

Investors are keeping a close eye on the October 2025 deadlines for major ETF applications. Grayscale’s XRP Trust is scheduled for ETF conversion by October 18, while Bitwise and 21Shares face deadlines on October 20 and October 19, respectively. Franklin Templeton’s XRP ETF, which has been pending since March 2025, awaits a final decision on November 14. Analysts suggest that favorable outcomes could spark a wave of XRP investments, similar to the surge seen after the launch of

and ETFs in 2024, which led to unprecedented trading activity and price increases.

The prospect of XRP ETF approval is already shaping market trends. XRP’s price climbed to $2.78 by late 2025, gaining 1.2% in a single day as traders anticipated regulatory decisions. According to Polymarket, there is a 79% probability of an XRP ETF being approved before year-end, with some market observers predicting that XRP’s value could double if spot ETFs get the green light. Additionally, hybrid ETFs such as

Hornet’s S&P 500 + XRP product (ticker XXX) are merging traditional stocks with crypto, allocating 75% to the S&P 500 and 25% to XRP, highlighting the rising interest in diversified digital asset portfolios.

Nonetheless, obstacles persist. The SEC’s slow decision-making and ongoing legal ambiguities—though somewhat alleviated by recent court decisions recognizing XRP as a commodity—could still cause delays. For instance, the SEC’s withdrawal of its appeal in the Ripple case in March 2025 confirmed XRP’s status as a currency, but future regulatory changes remain a concern. Furthermore, leveraged and futures-based ETFs like Volatility Shares’ XRPI may face tracking errors due to market conditions such as contango or backwardation.

Looking forward, the approval of XRP ETFs could pave the way for more altcoin ETFs. Bloomberg analysts forecast an 85% chance of approval for Solana and a 90% chance for

in 2025, with potentially following in 2026. This trend highlights the SEC’s changing approach to crypto oversight, moving from resistance to a more organized regulatory structure. If successful, XRP ETFs could help establish institutional cross-border payment systems and expand XRP’s influence within decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms.