The recent approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for ProShares' XRP futures ETF has sparked a wave of strong expectations for a spot ETF in the near future. This development is seen by many industry experts as a significant turning point, not just for XRP but also for the digital asset market in general.
According to the official announcement, ProShares will launch three new ETFs based on XRP futures contracts: Ultra XRP ETF, Short XRP ETF, and Ultra Short XRP ETF. These products will officially start trading on April 30. Earlier, in early April, Teucrium also launched the 2x Long Daily XRP ETF, kicking off the financialization wave of XRP on Wall Street.
Although it is not yet a spot ETF—a type of fund that is considered to have a direct impact on asset prices—this move has created a strong wave of optimism within the investment community, especially among XRP supporters.
Expert forecast: $100 billion could flow into XRP
Financial expert and market analyst Armando Pantoja believes that the SEC's green light for futures ETFs is the first step towards an XRP spot ETF. He stated:
"A spot XRP ETF could be the next target, opening up real demand and driving prices up. Over $100 billion could soon flow into XRP."
Pantoja emphasized that this advancement is not only a victory for XRP but also a testament to the fact that digital assets are gradually being mainstreamed in the traditional financial system. The approval of futures ETFs also means that XRP is becoming a legitimate and attractive investment option for large financial institutions.
Pantoja also drew comparisons with Bitcoin and Ethereum—the first two major digital assets to have approved futures ETFs, followed by spot ETFs. Bitcoin launched its first futures ETF in 2021 through ProShares, and by 2024, the Bitcoin spot ETF was officially approved. According to him, XRP is currently following this path.
He emphasized that when the XRP spot ETF is approved, it could create strong buying pressure from institutional investors, contributing to tightening supply and causing XRP prices to explode in the market.
"Futures ETF = the first domino piece. Spot ETF = the breaking point. XRP's long-term setup has just become much stronger."
Is the new spot ETF the real catalyst?
However, not all experts agree with this optimistic view. Analyst John Squire warns that while futures ETFs are important, they are not enough to create a turning point in the market:
"It is not a silver bullet that will trigger mass adoption or large price action. The real catalyst will come when the XRP spot ETF is approved. Real token. Real demand. Real impact on the market."
Unlike spot ETFs, which require fund managers to buy and hold actual XRP, futures ETFs are merely speculative instruments that do not create direct buying pressure in the market. Additionally, futures ETF products often come with hidden costs such as rollover fees, slippage, and management fees, which can reduce investor profits and may cause XRP prices to fluctuate more dramatically.
The situation of XRP spot ETF registration
Currently, several applications for XRP spot ETFs, including Grayscale XRP Trust and 21Shares Core XRP Trust ETF, are awaiting SEC approval, with decisions expected in October 2025. Meanwhile, other countries have acted quickly: Brazil has taken a step ahead as Hashdex has just launched the first XRP ETF in the country.
Data from the prediction platform Polymarket also shows high levels of expectation from the market, with the prediction rate for XRP ETF approval in 2025 reaching 78%.
Source: Polymarket
In response to positive news, the price of XRP has witnessed a strong recovery. Over the past week, the coin has increased by 9%, reaching a price of $2.3, corresponding to a 6.3% increase in just 24 hours—the highest since the end of March.
XRP price chart 1 day | Source: TradingView
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Investors should do their own research before making decisions. We are not responsible for your investment decisions.