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- XRP futures ETFs from Volatility Shares and CME triggered new highs and sparked market attention.
- Institutional investors now gaining crypto exposure through regulated ETFs without exchange or custody hassle.
XRP hit a new high following the listing of two flagship exchange-traded funds based on the cryptocurrency. Volatility Shares introduced its first-ever XRP futures ETF onto Nasdaq under the ticker XRPI, and CME followed up with its XRP futures product on May 19. The new listings are a clear bid for institutional interest in XRP-linked investment products.
Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple‘s CEO, explained in a recent podcast appearance the increasing popularity of crypto ETFs. In his “Crypto in One Minute,” he said that institutional investors like pension funds and mutual funds did not have an easy way to get exposure in crypto until now. ETFs now offer such a direct, regulated way for these institutions to get involved in crypto markets without using an exchange or holding custody themselves.
It’s happening. Institutional access to crypto is accelerating.
From the launch of XRP Futures and ETFs on CME and Nasdaq just this week, it’s clear the market is maturing and exposure to crypto is expanding.@bgarlinghouse locks in for 60 seconds and unpacks the excitement… pic.twitter.com/O3ugSDkn8i
— Ripple (@Ripple) May 23, 2025
Garlinghouse also referred to how ETFs are inspiring increased institutional participation in the crypto arena. He referred to the performance of the Bitcoin ETF as a case in point, claiming that it was the quickest one to reach $1 billion in assets under management. The fund took less time than any ETF that had come before it in reaching $10 billion, he explained.
Institutional Demand Fuels XRP ETF Momentum
Volatility Shares’ XRPI ETF has been designed to invest a minimum of 80% of its assets in XRP futures, along with other XRP-linked exchange-traded products. It has a 1.15% gross expense ratio, which falls to 0.94% after waivers come into effect. There will also be a leveraged 2x variant, which will join Teucrium’s current 2x leveraged product, which has been trading since April.
Teucrium’s ETF, which is listed under ticker XXRP, has already gathered $121 million in assets under management already. Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas, who is a senior ETF analyst, made a comment about the reception in the marketplace, stating that the number provides a good indication that demand will exist for XRPI.
Even as enthusiasm remains high, XRP’s price has been unstable. Having dipped 7% from $2.47 to $2.30, prices then moved up to $2.35. In the meantime, the SEC has delayed ruling on a spot XRP ETF proposed by CoinShares, which is building further hopes among traders.
Broader Outlook Points to Continued Growth in 2025
Further, XRP-linked ETFs are likely to come along. An example that is already available for trading is the Tectrium 2x Long Daily XRP ETF. Such products are regarded as major drivers for XRP’s growth for 2025, particularly if regulatory clarity keeps improving.
Garlinghouse’s remarks captured personal and professional opinions alike. Throughout the podcast, he said:
“I’m definitely hurt, but also excited that I was overlooked for years before being on here, but now here I am. Hi, I’m Brad Garlinghouse.” He added,
This is an unlock for a couple reasons. For capital that couldn’t come in, whether it’s an endowment, whether it’s a pension fund, even mutual funds that didn’t or couldn’t access crypto, now they can.
As long as XRP’s spot ETF is stuck in limbo, pre-existing futures-based products already in development can lay the foundations for increased institutional involvement. Volatility Shares and Teucrium are creating frameworks for involvement that previously did not exist during previous phases in crypto’s evolution.
