- XRP is set to surpass $1 billion in its first months as an ETF.
- XRP attracts strong demand from whales and its loyal retail community.
The anticipation for an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) is reaching fever pitch, with experts predicting a blockbuster launch. Despite skepticism from parts of the crypto community, the Ripple-linked cryptocurrency may exceed expectations from day one.
XRP ETF Could Surpass $1 Billion Quickly
Matt Hougan, chief investment officer at Bitwise, told DL News that an XRP ETF will “easily become” a billion-dollar fund within its first few months. This projection sharply contrasts with the median bearish sentiment surrounding XRP in the crypto world. Hougan emphasizes that success isn’t about hype — it’s about buyers willing to deploy capital, and XRP boasts that in abundance.
“People underestimate it because the median opinion in crypto is pretty bearish on XRP,” Hougan said. “But what drives flows? A group of people that buys the asset — and the XRP Army is incredibly bullish and loves XRP.”
Currently, the SEC has around 20 XRP ETF filings pending, trailing Bitcoin and Solana’s 23 filings, while Ethereum sits at 16, according to Bloomberg Intelligence ETF expert Eric Balchunas. He predicts that the total number of crypto assets with ETFs could surpass 200 within the next year.
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Whale Activity Signals Strong Demand
Institutional and deep-pocketed investors are already piling into XRP. Data from Santiment shows nearly $560 million in XRP was purchased by whales over the past week, coinciding with the SEC’s review of three pending ETF approval deadlines.
The difference between XRP and other altcoins is its dedicated retail following. Many crypto assets have technical merit but lack community support. XRP, despite criticism for its centralized structure and corporate ties, commands intense loyalty from retail holders known as the “XRP Army.”
Critics Miss the Bigger Picture
Critics argue that Ripple’s control over token supply and focus on institutional partnerships make XRP less appealing. Hougan, however, counters that institutional adoption doesn’t require crypto-native approval — it requires actual buyer demand. Bitcoin ETFs garnered $107 billion in their first year, and Solana’s staked ETF recently posted 2025’s largest ETF launch, illustrating how real demand can defy skepticism.
With the XRP Army ready to back it, the cryptocurrency could replicate that pattern. Hougan predicts, “Flows will dramatically exceed what people are expecting. ETFs die in apathy, and that won’t be the case here.”
XRP’s ETF debut may not just be a milestone for the token itself — it could redefine how passionate retail communities shape the success of crypto investment products.
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