The long-running legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has finally reached its conclusion – and the crypto market is already buzzing about what could come next.
With the last appeals officially dismissed, industry voices are hinting that an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) might be on the horizon, potentially from one of the biggest names in asset management: BlackRock.
Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store, suggested that the timing could be perfect for the iShares giant to expand beyond its Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF lineup. He argued that BlackRock may have been waiting for this moment of legal clarity before taking any action. While Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas remains unconvinced that a filing is imminent, he acknowledged the idea isn’t far-fetched — even if his view is based more on instinct than hard evidence.
The case’s dismissal, which began back in December 2020, confirmed that XRP is not considered a security in retail transactions. This paves the way for U.S. exchanges and financial institutions to integrate XRP more freely, with fewer legal barriers. Ripple, wasting no time, revealed plans to acquire Rail for $200 million, aiming to enhance its RLUSD stablecoin infrastructure.
Market reaction was swift. XRP’s price surged over 13% in 24 hours, vastly outperforming the broader crypto market’s 3.75% gain. South Korean exchanges saw an eye-popping 1,211% spike in trading volumes, while derivatives traders snapped up more than 100,000 contracts at strike prices of $3.10 and $3.20, signalling expectations of heightened volatility ahead. Spot prices briefly touched $3.32, pushing XRP’s market cap above $22 billion.
Speculation over an XRP ETF has also been reflected in prediction markets. On Polymarket, odds for approval surged back to 88% following the legal resolution, recovering from a dip caused by SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw’s opposition to certain crypto measures — a stance analysts note she routinely takes, often unsuccessfully.
Supporters argue that an XRP ETF could give BlackRock a strategic edge, offering clients broader exposure to the digital asset market while capitalizing on renewed institutional interest. With the regulatory cloud now lifted, the path toward such a product looks clearer than ever — though whether BlackRock will seize the opportunity remains to be seen.
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo.com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Source: https://coindoo.com/blackrock-still-hasnt-filled-for-xrp-etf-but-now-things-are-different/