Grayscale Files to Convert XRP Trust Into Spot ETF, Paving the Way for Wider XRP Adoption

NYSE Arca has officially submitted a proposal to the SEC for converting Grayscale's XRP Trust into a spot ETF.

NYSE Arca has officially submitted a proposal to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the conversion of Grayscale’s XRP Trust into a spot exchange-traded fund (ETF). This filing would enable the $16.1 billion trust to trade directly on NYSE Arca, making cryptocurrency investments more accessible to investors in the United States without requiring them to hold the digital asset.

The trust's operational mechanism ensures both security and compliance. Coinbase Custody Trust Company will safeguard the cryptocurrency by storing it in cold wallets utilizing a distributed vault system that is impenetrable.

Moreover, pricing data will be collected from the CoinDesk XRP Index, which aggregates data from prominent exchanges Coinbase, Kraken, and Bitstamp. This arrangement aims to prevent manipulation and ensure fair, transparent, and unmanipulated prices.

The trust will also provide intraday indicative values every 15 seconds, Monday through Friday, from 4:00 AM ET to 8:00 PM ET. In addition to enhancing market integrity, both NYSE Arca and FINRA will continuously monitor trades to detect any manipulation or irregularities.

The proposed ETF boasts institutional-scale infrastructure for investing in the Ripple cryptocurrency. Delaware Trust Company will serve as the trustee, while BNY Mellon will handle the transfer of units. A minimum creation and redemption unit of 10,000 units ensures smooth market operations. The net asset value (NAV) will be calculated daily to enhance transparency.

The ETF's composition tracks the price of XRP in the market, excluding fees and expenses. It utilizes the same creation and redemption method, which involves cash. This eliminates the need for investors to directly handle XRP, simplifying regulatory compliance.

Market makers engaged by the trust are also subject to stringent policies designed to prevent the abuse of inside information. The SEC has an initial period of 45 days, which may be further extended by 90 days, to review the application. Public comments will be invited shortly, enabling stakeholders to voice their perspectives on this historic development.

The SEC has 45 days to make an initial decision, which may be extended up to 90 days. The clock starts ticking once this hits the Federal Register. 9/21

Grayscale's ETF application marks a significant step toward the token's integration into traditional finance. If approved, it could pave the way for increased XRP adoption, enhancing the token's exposure and practical utility among institutional and retail participants alike.

While the precedent set by other crypto spot ETFs lends credibility to this application, the unique attributes of the XRP market may provide this project with an inherent advantage. The fate of Grayscale's XRP ETF now lies in the hands of the SEC, a decision that has the potential to reshape the landscape of XRP investments in the United States.