So over dinner, imagine someone brings up crypto and you say, “Yeah, the SEC just delayed the XRP ETF decision again.” It’s becoming a pattern—this time they pushed it to June, and it’s got people in the crypto space pretty frustrated. XRP’s a big name, so the fact that even it’s facing delays shows how cautious (or maybe just hesitant) the SEC still is about crypto in general.

This kind of slow approval process really affects institutional investors who want more clarity before jumping in. It also adds to the feeling that regulators are still uncomfortable with altcoins, even as Bitcoin and Ethereum get more mainstream love.

Analysts like Eric Balchunas say that while ETFs help with exposure, they don’t guarantee hype or big investments. He compared it to getting your music on Spotify—it’s cool, but it doesn’t mean people will listen.

the SEC is playing it safe, maybe too safe, and it's slowing down momentum for altcoins like XRP. For some of us who want to invest big in crypto, it’s just more proof you’ve got to stay patient and keep an eye on how the rules are evolving. However, now is the right time to invest.