XRP News: XRP ETF Momentum Grows as Franklin Templeton Joins the Game Amid SEC Delays

In a major shift in the cryptocurrency investment world, Franklin Templeton, a leading global investment company, has filed for a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF). This move follows the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) latest decision to postpone rulings on several cryptocurrency ETFs, highlighting the changing dynamics between traditional finance and digital assets. 

Franklin Templeton Enters the XRP ETF Arena

On March 11, 2025, Franklin Templeton applied to the SEC to create the Franklin XRP Trust, aiming to give investors direct access to XRP, a major cryptocurrency tied to Ripple Labs. If granted approval, , the ETF would be listed on the Cboe BZX Exchange, with Coinbase Custody managing the fund’s digital assets as the custodian. 

This submission positions Franklin Templeton along with firms like Grayscale, Canary Capital, WisdomTree, Bitwise, CoinShares, and 21Shares, all which have shown interest in launching XRP-focused ETFs. The rise in filings highlight rising institutional demand for regulated investment vehicles tied to cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

SEC’s Deliberations and Deferred Decisions

At the same time, the SEC has delayed its decisions on multiple cryptocurrency ETF applications, including those for XRP, Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), Cardano (ADA), and Dogecoin (DOGE). Specifically , the SEC has delayed the review period for Grayscale’s XRP ETF proposal until May 21, 2025, stating that additional time is needed to evaluate the application properly.

These delays underscore the SEC’s careful approach to approving cryptocurrency ETFs, reflecting ongoing concerns about market volatility, investor protection, and the regulatory framework governing digital assets. Historically, the SEC has been hesitant to greenlight crypto-based ETFs due to these apprehensions.

Market Response and Future Outlook

Despite regulatory uncertainties, the cryptocurrency market has responded positively to the influx of ETF filings. XRP, for instance, experienced a 6% price increase in the past 24 hours, reflecting investor optimism about potential ETF approvals and broader institutional adoption.

Analysts remain cautiously optimistic about the prospects of cryptocurrency ETFs receiving approval in 2025. Bloomberg analysts Eric Balchunas and James Seyffart estimate a 65–75% chance of approval for XRP ETFs this year. Additionally, on the cryptocurrency betting platform Polymarket, bettors have currently placed the odds of approval at around 72%, indicating confidence in a positive outcome.

Implications for the Crypto Investment Landscape

The entry of established financial institutions like Franklin Templeton into the cryptocurrency ETF space signifies a pivotal shift in the investment landscape. Such developments could enhance market transparency, provide regulated investment avenues for both retail and institutional investors, and potentially mitigate some of the volatility associated with direct cryptocurrency investments.

However, the SEC’s extended deliberation periods highlight the complexities involved in integrating digital assets into traditional financial systems. The regulatory body’s cautious stance suggests that while there is momentum toward mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies, substantial regulatory and infrastructural challenges remain.

Franklin Templeton’s application for an XRP ETF, amidst the SEC’s ongoing evaluations, reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of the cryptocurrency investment ecosystem. As regulatory bodies continue to assess the implications of such financial products, investors and market participants alike await clearer guidelines that will shape the future of digital asset investments.