The decision on asset manager Franklin Templeton’s XRP Spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) has been postponed until June. Meanwhile, rumors are mounting that BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, is also working on an XRP fund.
A recent report on X suggests that BlackRock held a closed meeting with the US regulator SEC’s crypto task force on May 9, sparking speculation that an XRP fund may be in the works.
So far, these reports remain unconfirmed, as there is no official document of BlackRock filing for an XRP Spot ETF. However, if the rumors are true, BlackRock’s involvement would be a major breakthrough. The iShares Bitcoin Trust (iBIT), the Bitcoin (BTC) BlackRock’s ETF, has already been a runaway success with $61,4 billion in assets under management. Even if a future XRP fund manages to raise only a fraction of that amount, it could be a significant boost to the XRP price.
For now, Franklin Templeton seems to be operating without direct competition from this financial behemoth. But the question is: how long will that last? On June 17, the SEC will resume reviewing Franklin Templeton’s ETF application. If the fund gets the green light, it could not only give the XRP price a significant boost, it could also encourage other asset managers, possibly BlackRock, to get on board.
While investors in the United States are still waiting for approval for an XRP Spot ETF, Brazil has the world’s first spot XRP fund. However, its launch on Brazil’s B3 exchange has been anything but smooth. The fund, which trades under the ticker XRPH11, has lost almost 10% of its value in its first week. Not an ideal start for a fund that seems so promising.
What are the expectations around Franklin Templeton's XRP Spot ETF?
The SEC will review the application again on June 17. If approved, the fund could significantly boost XRP’s price and spark competition.
What could be BlackRock's role in the crypto market?
If BlackRock does indeed launch an XRP fund, it could have a major impact on the market, especially given the success of their Bitcoin ETF.
How is Brazil's new XRP fund doing?
The fund, traded as XRPH11, has had a poor start, losing almost 10% in value within its first week, despite being considered a first.