The cryptocurrency landscape is buzzing with anticipation as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) gears up to make pivotal decisions regarding several pending XRP spot ETF applications. With potential approvals on the horizon, investors are weighing whether to add XRP to their portfolios before major announcements are made, particularly in October.
Currently, Bitcoin and Ethereum are the only cryptocurrencies permitted to be held by exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This may soon change, opening a pathway for XRP, which has seen a significant increase in value over the past year, despite recent market corrections. While some analysts highlight the double-digit percentage drop in XRP’s price in recent weeks, others point to its impressive growth of more than 500% over the last 12 months, prompting a “glass half-full” perspective.
In October, the SEC is expected to finalize decisions on several key applications for XRP spot ETFs. Notably, Grayscale is seeking to convert its XRP Trust, which launched in September 2024 and currently manages nearly $17.4 million worth of assets, into a spot ETF. This initial ruling is set for October 18, 2025. Following closely, the SEC will also review applications from 21Shares on October 19, the Bitwise XRP ETF the day after, and the Canary Capital XRP ETF, with a decision anticipated by October 24, 2025. Additional rulings on ETFs from WisdomTree, Franklin Templeton, and CoinShares are due by October 25.
The key question looms: how much could XRP positively react to these potential approvals? The mechanism appears simple: a regulatory green light for these ETFs would likely prompt substantial purchases of XRP, creating demand that could drive up its price. Historical data from previous spot ETF launches provides some insight. Bitcoin’s initial ETF launch in October 2021 led to significant price movements in the weeks following, as did Ethereum’s introduction in July 2024, despite some volatility around that time.
Anticipation could also play a role in XRP’s price movement prior to any official approvals. The prospect of these spot ETFs may lead to increased buying activity, similar to what Bitcoin experienced in the lead-up to its ETF launch, where its price surged almost 50% in three weeks.
Moreover, industry experts, including Canary Capital’s CEO Steven McClurg, suggest that XRP’s ETFs might hold unique advantages over Ethereum’s, particularly due to the absence of staking rewards, which could enhance their appeal to investors seeking to avoid sacrificing yield.
In addition to the immediate outlook, broader regulatory changes could offer further support for XRP in the near future. An executive order signed in August 2025 by former President Trump, directing the U.S. Secretary of Labor to reconsider restrictions on 401(k) plans regarding alternative assets—including cryptocurrencies—opens another potential avenue for market expansion. The Secretary’s ruling on this matter could spark renewed interest and investment in XRP as early as next year.
As the clock ticks down towards these critical decisions, cryptocurrency enthusiasts and investors are keenly watching the developments surrounding XRP, with hopes that the forthcoming approvals could herald a new chapter of growth for the digital asset.
