- Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse says an XRP ETF is “inevitable” despite Ripple’s legal challenges
- Garlinghouse cites $17 billion inflows into Bitcoin ETFs as evidence of strong demand
- Bitwise and Canary Capital have filed for XRP ETFs, highlighting growing interest
Ripple Labs CEO Brad Garlinghouse has reiterated his confidence that an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) is “inevitable,” even as the company continues to face legal disputes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Garlinghouse made the remarks in a recent interview with Bloomberg, expressing optimism about the future of ETF products tied to XRP.
His comments follow major developments in the crypto ETF space this year, notably the U.S. approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier in the year, which opened the door for wider institutional and retail exposure to digital assets. The rapid adoption of those products has become a central argument for proponents of ETFs tied to other cryptocurrencies.
Garlinghouse pointed to roughly $17 billion in inflows to Bitcoin ETFs since their January launch as a clear signal of demand from both institutional and individual investors seeking regulated, exchange-listed access to crypto markets. With spot Ethereum ETFs also receiving approval in July, Garlinghouse believes XRP is positioned to follow a similar path once regulatory clarity improves.
He emphasized that ETF structures have played a significant role in expanding market access and encouraging adoption among institutions, helping to normalize crypto allocations within traditional portfolios. That trend, he argues, strengthens the case for creating a regulated, exchange-traded vehicle for XRP.
Bitwise and Canary Capital file for XRP ETFs
Earlier this month Bitwise Asset Management became the first firm to file with the SEC for an XRP ETF, a milestone for the token, which ranks among the top cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Bitwise’s filing marked a noteworthy step toward bringing a mainstream investment product tied to XRP to U.S. markets.
Shortly after, Canary Capital Group submitted its own application, signaling growing interest from asset managers in offering XRP-based investment products. Canary has also filed for a Litecoin ETF, underlining broader appetite among issuers to expand crypto ETF offerings.
Despite Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the SEC — a dispute that began in 2020 when the agency alleged Ripple’s XRP sales constituted unregistered securities offerings — Garlinghouse remains upbeat. A pivotal court ruling last year found that XRP is a security only when sold to institutional investors, a decision the SEC has appealed. That nuanced outcome has added complexity but also opened debate about how XRP might be treated in future regulatory frameworks.
Garlinghouse believes the evolving regulatory environment, combined with the growing popularity and demonstrated demand for crypto ETFs, will ultimately create a pathway for XRP’s inclusion in ETF products. He predicts that a regulated XRP ETF would further legitimize the token and support its integration into the expanding digital asset ecosystem.
As asset managers continue to file ETF proposals and regulators refine guidance, the development of an XRP ETF remains contingent on legal outcomes and regulatory approvals. Nevertheless, the recent filings and robust inflows into other crypto ETFs have renewed optimism among industry participants that an ETF for XRP could become a reality in time.