WisdomTree files for XRP ETF in Delaware

WisdomTree, a U.S.-based asset management firm overseeing over $113 billion in assets, has registered a trust in Delaware for a proposed XRP exchange-traded fund

The filing, titled the “WisdomTree XRP Fund,” represents an early step toward launching the ETF but does not yet include a formal application to the Securities and Exchange Commission. According to Eleanor Terrett, WisdomTree’s registration will likely be followed by an S-1 registration filing with the SEC. 

ETFs enable investors to trade assets like cryptocurrencies or stocks on exchanges without directly owning them. An XRP ETF would track the price of XRP (XRP), the sixth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, providing institutional and retail investors with easier access to the asset.

This move positions WisdomTree among many firms expanding their crypto ETF offerings beyond Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). In October, Bitwise filed for an XRP ETF, while Canary Capital and others sought approval for ETFs based on assets like Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), and HBAR (HBAR).

XRP vs. the SEC: who is winning? 

The regulatory uncertainty surrounding cryptocurrencies persists, with Ripple Labs, the company behind XRP, locked in a legal battle with the SEC over XRP’s classification as a security.

The legal dispute has seen partial victories for both sides: a judge ruled that Ripple’s institutional sales of XRP met the criteria for securities, while sales on exchanges and to the public did not. 

This nuanced decision has implications for how cryptocurrencies are regulated, with the SEC appealing aspects of the ruling to clarify its jurisdiction over crypto markets​

However, speculation is growing about a shift in the SEC’s approach to crypto under new leadership. Current SEC Chair Gary Gensler is reportedly planning to resign, raising hopes that a new chair could adopt a more favorable stance on crypto-related products.

If approved, an XRP ETF could pave the way for more diverse crypto investment options, reflecting the increasing demand for digital assets despite ongoing regulatory challenges.