- Purpose Investment set to achieve first spot XRP ETF approval ahead of the US.
- Institutional demand for XRP rises, and analysts predict Canada’s approval could pressure US regulators to act.
Canadian asset manager Purpose Investments has filed a preliminary prospectus with regulators to launch the world’s first-ever spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF). If approved, the Purpose Ripple ETF would provide investors a regulated and transparent way to gain exposure to XRP, a cryptocurrency widely used in cross-border payments.
With over $23 billion in assets under management (AUM), Purpose Investments has a strong track record, having introduced the first spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in 2021 (mention which country). Now, it aims to expand its digital asset offerings, potentially beating US competitors still awaiting approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Purpose Investments takes the lead in the XRP ETF race
The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) approved the world’s first spot Bitcoin ETF in February 2021, well before the US granted its first approvals in January 2024. This trend suggests Purpose’s XRP ETF could debut ahead of similar applications from US-based firms like Grayscale, Bitwise, WisdomTree, and 21Shares, all of whom have submitted filings with the SEC.
Som Seif, CEO of Purpose Investments, emphasized the firm’s commitment to bridging traditional finance and decentralized assets.
“As XRP sees increasing adoption and institutional interest, we believe an ETF can offer investors a transparent and familiar way to access it within a regulated framework,” Seif said.
Purpose’s Chief Innovation Officer, Vlad Tasevski, reinforced this vision, stating that the firm aims to help investors understand, access, and confidently invest in digital assets.
Institutional demand for XRP keeps growing
The push for an XRP ETF comes as institutional adoption of XRP accelerates, with a $175 billion market cap. The digital asset has gained traction for its use in cross-border transactions and partnerships with major financial institutions. The Ripple-SEC lawsuit, however, remains a key obstacle for US regulatory approval.
In July 2023, Judge Analisa Torres ruled partially in favor of Ripple, declaring that programmatic XRP sales did not constitute securities offerings. However, full legal clarity remains elusive, making the timeline for a US XRP ETF approval uncertain.
Despite this, market optimism is growing. Polymarket data now places the odds of a US XRP ETF approval at 82%, a significant jump fueled by expectations that the SEC, under a new administration, could take a friendlier approach to crypto regulation.
Canada’s approval could push the US to act
Following Purpose’s announcement, XRP’s price has seen increased volatility. The asset is currently trading near $3.05 as per data from CMC. Analysts predict that if XRP sustains a move above $3.00, it could rally towards its all-time high resistance at $3.55.
While Canada’s regulators could approve Purpose’s XRP ETF in the coming months, the US remains undecided. The SEC is currently reviewing multiple XRP ETF filings, with Grayscale, BlackRock, and Bitwise among the contenders.
Ripple Labs President Monica Long has previously suggested that a Trump administration could improve the chances of ETF approval. As Trump’s pro-crypto policies could shift the SEC’s stance.
If Canada greenlights the Purpose XRP ETF, it could set a precedent, pressuring the US SEC to move faster on US-based applications. As XRP adoption grows, the question is no longer if an spot XRP ETF will launch—but when.
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