Ripple CEO’s CME Support Sparks Talk of XRP ETF

With the CME launch of XRP futures, the narrative around a spot XRP ETF has shifted from a distant dream to a looming reality. Buoyed by institutional traction and legal tailwinds, investor confidence has soared. The convergence of these forces may compel regulators to reconsider their long-standing hesitance towards XRP.

CME Rolls Out XRP Futures, Institutional Floodgates Open

On May 19, XRP officially joined CME’s group–regulated futures lineup, marking its entry alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. The new XRP and XRP futures are cash-settled, designed for institutions looking to trade exposure without direct token handling.

The setup supports sophisticated hedging, allowing Wall Street players to manage crypto exposure. CME’s Giovanni Vicioso noted increasing interest in XRP as a strategic asset. 

Ripple CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, praised the event as a milestone, revealing that Ripple’s prime broker, Hidden Road, executed the inaugural trade. 

Read: Ripple Token XRP Futures Launch on CME—Will It Be a Game-Changer?

Legal Precedents and CME Futures Brighten Outlook For Spot XRP ETF 

The debut of CME XRP futures has not only captured institutional interest but also intensified regulatory pressure on the SEC. The Grayscale decision, which found the SEC’s reasoning to block spot ETFs inconsistent, now looms large.

Nate Geraci (ETF analyst) believes approval for a spot XRP ETF is “inevitable” as regulated futures weaken arguments against investor safety. The futures to ETF pipeline used for BTC and ETH is now unfolding for XRP.

Also read: SEC Acknowledges Bitwise’s Spot XRP ETF Filing: A Turning Point for Ripple?

While industry giants have filed for a spot XRP ETF, regulatory clarity may take time. This is because Ripple’s legal stand with the SEC continues, with a judge recently refusing to offer an early ruling. Experts warn that the case could drag on for months. Still, Bloomberg analysts maintain an 85% probability of ETF approval in 2025, suggesting market momentum may outpace courtroom delays. For now, the timing remains uncertain.