Grayscale Joins Growing List of XRP ETF Applicants, But SEC Approval Remains Uncertain

Grayscale Investments has officially joined the race to launch an XRP Spot ETF, submitting an application to convert its $16 million XRP Trust into a tradable ETF on the New York Stock Exchange.

Grayscale has officially applied to the SEC to convert its $16 million XRP Trust into a tradable ETF on the New York Stock Exchange. This move comes as several companies have expressed interest in launching an XRP ETF, including Bitwise, Canary Capital, 21Shares, WisdomTree, and ProShares.

With the surging demand for XRP, many analysts speculate that this cryptocurrency could soon follow in the footsteps of Bitcoin and Ethereum, both of which have seen success in the ETF market. In a recent Bloomberg interview, Monica Long, President of Ripple, voiced confidence that XRP is likely next in line for approval.

"I think XRP is next up at bat. It's the No. 3 coin by market capitalization, and it's had a very interesting time. But I think, given the regulatory environment and the interest from institutions in the asset, I think XRP is next in line."

However, experts urge caution regarding the SEC’s approval of an XRP ETF. Bloomberg's ETF specialist James Seyffart believes that the SEC will likely approve an XRP ETF in the near future, but cautions that Litecoin might be given priority.

"I think they'll approve an XRP ETF by the end of the year, but I think they might give priority to Litecoin because it's a cleaner story. But I think, given the time that's passed and the interest in the asset, I think they'll approve an XRP ETF. It's just whether they'll approve it first or second."

Seyffart points out that XRP’s ongoing legal battle with the SEC could delay the process. The lawsuit, which began in 2020, alleges that XRP is a security, complicating its chances for quick ETF approval.

"The SEC filed a lawsuit against Ripple in 2020 over XRP, alleging that the company sold $1.3 billion of the token without registering it with the agency. The lawsuit has been ongoing for over two years, and its outcome will likely impact the timeline for an XRP ETF.

But with new SEC leadership under Paul Atkins, Seyffart speculates that the SEC might eventually drop the XRP lawsuit, which would open the door for an ETF approval.

"If the SEC drops the XRP lawsuit and Paul Atkins is confirmed as SEC Chair, we could see an XRP ETF approved in the first half of 2023. But if the SEC decides to continue pursuing the lawsuit, an XRP ETF might not be approved until the second half of 2023 or even later."

In contrast, Litecoin has not faced any legal hurdles and is considered a more straightforward candidate for an ETF, making it a potential first choice for the SEC in the race to approve a cryptocurrency-backed ETF.

XRP’s legal struggles with the SEC have been a defining feature of its journey in the crypto space. The outcome of the ongoing lawsuit is likely to play a crucial role in shaping the future of XRP ETFs. If Ripple succeeds in its legal battle, it could pave the way for XRP to follow in the footsteps of other major cryptocurrencies and secure its place in the ETF market.

While the approval of an XRP ETF would signal a significant milestone for the cryptocurrency, investors are advised to proceed with caution, especially considering that the SEC’s stance on digital assets is still evolving.

With Grayscale and other major players pushing for an XRP ETF, the anticipation for regulatory clarity continues to build. The next few months could be pivotal in determining whether XRP and other altcoins can join Bitcoin and Ethereum in the ETF arena.

As the XRP ETF race intensifies, all eyes will be on the SEC for any hints regarding the approval of the first-ever XRP ETF, making this a crucial time for investors and the cryptocurrency market at large.