Asset management company BlackRock is piqueing interest in the cryptocurrency community by making vague references to the possible introduction of an exchange-traded fund (ETF) based on XRP.
Though the company hasn’t formally announced its intent to file for an instant spot XRP ETF, rumors have increased in response to CEO Larry Fink’s cryptic remarks and the company’s involvement in other cryptocurrency ETF ideas.
The ongoing legal dispute between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple, the company that powers XRP, has cast doubt on the likelihood of the approval occurring soon.
A judge overseeing the SEC’s complaint decided in July 2023, ruling that although XRP isn’t categorized as a security when exchanged on retail platforms, it is then sold to institutional customers.
A trial is scheduled for April 23, 2024, and the legal proceedings are still pending. Analysts, however, are pessimistic about the likelihood of an XRP ETF being approved.
The SEC’s recognition of XRP’s non-security status is a prerequisite for the viability of an XRP ETF, as highlighted by CoinShares’ head of product, Townsend Lansing.
General partner at Van Buren Capital Scott Johnsson agreed, calling the chances of approval “very slim” and speculating that it may require an SEC leadership transition.
XRP aficionados have seen Fink’s circumspect response to questions regarding an XRP ETF, “I can’t talk about that,” as a possible sign that BlackRock is at least thinking about the concept, which may boost the XRP market.
According to recent reports citing people with firsthand knowledge of the situation, BlackRock is currently planning to wait to launch a spot XRP ETF.
The bitcoin market is going through a dynamic time, and this disclosure comes at a time when ETFs for different digital assets are starting to appear. Major financial organizations have a significant impact on the Bitcoin market. Behemoths in the business like BlackRock impact investor confidence and market sentiment through their statements, choices, and actions.
Although BlackRock’s present lack of imminent intentions for an XRP ETF doesn’t mean that it won’t happen in the future, it complicates continuing conversations regarding the regulatory acceptability and practicality of ETFs for various digital assets.
