material according to information - By 36crypto

Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store and one of the most authoritative commentators in the ETF industry, has once again singled out XRP as the next major contender in the cryptocurrency ETF space.

According to Geraci, it is only a matter of time before investment giant BlackRock files for a spot XRP ETF after its dominant presence in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF markets.
Geraci believes that BlackRock, known for its calculated actions in the financial sector, will not concede its position to competitors like Grayscale, 21Shares, or Franklin Templeton when it comes to ETFs for emerging assets like XRP and Solana.

His recent comments come amid a wave of speculation in the industry about when and by whom the next major cryptocurrency ETF application will be made.

Meanwhile, XRP is close to regulatory clarity after its long legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Earlier today, Ripple and the SEC filed a joint motion requesting the court to lift the injunction and unlock $125 million held in escrow.
This, combined with recent developments in market infrastructure, such as regulated XRP futures on the CME, lays a solid foundation for a spot ETF.

According to Geraci, futures contracts often serve as a canary in the coal mine. Their launch typically precedes spot ETFs as they demonstrate institutional interest and oversight from regulators, two critical areas historically required by the SEC.

He also referred to the Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund, which includes XRP, as a possible bridge to a separate ETF. If the SEC approves the conversion of a larger Grayscale fund or its components, XRP may become the next asset to transition into a regulated investment product.

Despite growing speculation, BlackRock has not publicly confirmed interest in an XRP ETF. For now, the firm remains focused on its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), which have seen significant inflows since their launch.

BlackRock's Head of ETF Strategy, Samara Cohen, stated in 2024 that only Bitcoin and Ethereum have reached the necessary level of liquidity and maturity to meet the company's risk thresholds.

But Geraci and others believe this position may change, especially as the futures market for XRP becomes more mature and its legal risk profile continues to improve. As the SEC and Ripple approach a final settlement, clarity regarding the classification and use case of XRP may encourage large asset managers like BlackRock to take action.

In the domestic market, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not yet approved any spot XRP ETF, but activity is heating up. Major players including Bitwise, WisdomTree, Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, and 21Shares have submitted applications. While none have received approval yet, the regulatory mechanism is in motion.
The SEC has postponed its decision on 21Shares' application until October 2025, adhering to the maximum 240-day review period allowed by law. Grayscale, which previously submitted its own proposal, also reached a key deadline in May without an official response.

Meanwhile, WisdomTree's XRP Trust became the first spot XRP ETF in the U.S. to enter the public comment period on May 28, marking a critical milestone in the approval process. The Commission is now soliciting public opinion on key issues including market integrity, liquidity, and investor protection.

Outside the U.S., the picture is quite different. In Europe, 21Shares is already listing an XRP-based ETP under the ticker AXRP, actively traded on Swiss exchanges. More importantly, Brazil has recently approved the world's first spot XRP ETF, becoming the first jurisdiction to do so.

These international moves underscore the growing global appetite for XRP-based financial products and may influence regulatory sentiment in the U.S. in the coming months.

While BlackRock's entry into the XRP ETF market remains speculative, conditions are becoming increasingly favorable. From the emergence of regulated futures to legal clarity for Ripple and ongoing institutional interest, the groundwork is being laid for XRP to become the next major digital asset packaged into an exchange-traded fund.

Nate Geraci has long emphasized that ETF issuers typically follow opportunities rather than ideology. If XRP continues to demonstrate liquidity, demand, and regulatory viability, the logic behind an application from BlackRock or any other top-tier issuer will be hard to ignore.

As market participants and investors continue to watch not only for the next step from the SEC but also for BlackRock's silence.

As the landscape of digital assets matures and the gap between institutional products and retail access narrows, XRP may find itself on the verge of its next major evolution — from a contentious altcoin to a regulated, institutionally-backed ETF fund.


$XRP , $BTC , $ETH

#MarketRebound