Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Expects XRP ETF Approval by 2025
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse expects the approval of XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) by the second half of 2025. In a March 19 interview with Bloomberg Crypto, he cited Ripple’s recent legal victory against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a key factor in boosting confidence.
Surging Demand for XRP ETFs as Investors Eye Regulatory Clarity
Garlinghouse emphasized that there is strong demand for XRP ETFs. He pointed out that investment products based on XRP are already attracting investors outside the U.S., while other crypto funds are struggling. The SEC dropped its case against Ripple on March 19, removing some of the regulatory uncertainty surrounding XRP.
Following this legal resolution, institutions now have greater trust in XRP’s legal status. Garlinghouse also suggested that XRP could become part of the U.S. government’s digital asset reserve.
At least ten applications for XRP ETFs are waiting for SEC approval. These include spot, leveraged, and inverse ETFs. As of March 12, several firms, including Bitwise, WisdomTree, 21Shares, ProShares, and Franklin Templeton, had submitted filings for XRP ETFs. Improved relations between Ripple and regulators, along with the SEC’s shifting approach to crypto, could speed up the approval process.
84% Odds for XRP ETF Approval as Institutional Interest Rises
Crypto prediction platform Polymarket shows that investors believe an XRP ETF has an 84% chance of approval in 2025.
Large investors, often called “whales,” have been accumulating XRP. Wallets holding at least one million XRP have increased their holdings by 6.5% over the past two months. Their total holdings now stand at 46.4 billion XRP, valued at around $114 billion.
Network activity has also risen sharply. The number of unique wallet interactions in March was six times higher than previous months.
Following Ripple’s legal victory, XRP’s price surged over 10% to a peak of $2.57. However, it has since stabilized at $2.45, reflecting a 6% gain in the last 24 hours.
Could XRP Become Part of the U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile?
Garlinghouse also discussed the possibility of XRP being included in the U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish the reserve, which includes Bitcoin. Although XRP was not directly mentioned in the order, a post on Trump’s Truth Social platform hinted at its inclusion. Garlinghouse believes that the U.S. government could acquire XRP through seized crypto assets.