XRP News Today: ETF Launch Signals Strong Institutional Demand

XRP ETF Launch a Success: What’s Next?

All eyes were on the first US ETF offering investors exposure to XRP spot. The REX-Osprey XRP ETF (XRPR) launched on Thursday, September 18, with a bang, overshadowing the REX-Osprey DOGE ETF (DOJE).

According to the Bloomberg Intelligence ETF team, the REX-Osprey ETF saw $24 million in volume within the first 90 minutes of trading. By contrast, the REX-Osprey DOGE ETF reported just $6 million in volume.

Senior ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas commented:

“SEMI-SHOCK: REX-Osprey ETF (XRPR) is already at $24 m in volume. That is way more than I would have thought. For context, it’s 5x more than any of the XRP futures ETFs did on day one, and it’s only been 90min.”

Balchunas described DOJE’s $6 million in volume as ‘shockingly solid’ and stated that most ETFs trade under $1 million on day one.

The DOGE ETF failed to steal XRP’s thunder despite launching on the same day, suggesting potential pure XRP-spot ETFs could see substantial inflows.

Why Trading Volumes Matter

Traders use trading volume as a metric to evaluate institutional demand, with the XRP ETF volumes showing that spot ETF demand exceeded expectations. The first 90-minute volume spike indicated significant pent-up demand from institutional investors awaiting a regulated product to gain exposure to XRP. The surge also serves as a stamp of approval for the REX-Osprey XRP ETF.

Crucially, the 90-minute volume metric is significant, given that it reflects sticky institutional money rather than toe-dipping.

How did XRPR wrap up its first trading session? Eric Balchunas shared the session highlights, stating:

“XRPR traded $37.7m on Day One, which edges out IVES for the biggest day one (natural) $ volume of any 2025 launch.”

Notably, XRP reached a five-day intraday high of $3.1397 before easing back. The bigger question will be whether day one volumes were enough to lure BlackRock (BLK) into applying for an iShares XRP Trust.

Altcoin-spot ETFs Enter the Market

Crypto ETFs were on the menu for investors on Thursday, September 18. The SEC approved the launches of the Grayscale Digital Large Cap Fund (GDLC) and Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund (BITW). The approvals kicked off the altcoin-spot ETF season, opening the door to institutional investors.

The approval followed the SEC green-lighting the Cboe, Nasdaq, and NYSE’s rule change request the previous day. The rule change means that Commodity-Based Trust Shares can list and trade under a standardized framework, without filing for 19b-4 forms and passing the SEC’s typically 240-day review process.

XRP-Spot ETF Countdown

There are currently seven XRP-spot ETF applications pending the SEC’s review. Final decision deadlines for 21Shares, Bitwise, Canary Capital, CoinShares, Grayscale, and WisdomTree range between October 18 and 25. Meanwhile, Franklin Templeton’s final deadline is November 14.

Since the SEC has approved the exchanges’ Generic Listing Standards, the SEC could approve the XRP-spot ETFs ahead of the upcoming final decision deadlines. Considering the 90-minute trading volume for REX-Osprey XRP ETF, institutional demand could exceed market expectations.

While BITW and GDLC will give early indications of demand for altcoin-spot ETFs, pure XRP-spot ETF flows will be the true test of institutional appetite for XRP.

Price Action & Technical Analysis: $3.2 Brings $3.66 into Play

XRP fell 0.3% on Thursday, September 18, on profit taking, partially reversing the previous day’s 1.53% gain to close at $3.0747. The token underperformed the broader market (+0.44%) but closed above the psychological $3 level for the third consecutive session. Traders are watching the following technical levels:

• Support: $3, $2.8, and $2.5.
• Resistance: $3.2, $3.335, and the all-time high at $3.66.

In the near term, several key events could drive price action:

• BITW, GDLC, and XRPR flows.
• Spot ETFs: Approval or delays of XRP-spot ETFs. A BlackRock (BLK) iShares XRP Trust filing could boost sentiment.
• Blue-chip companies’ stances on XRP as a treasury reserve asset.
• Regulatory milestones: Ripple’s US-chartered bank license application, Market Structure Bill-related developments, and SWIFT news may further influence demand.

Catalysts & Scenarios

XRP’s path forward hinges on whether institutional inflows and regulatory approvals align, or if headwinds dominate.

Bearish Scenario

• BITW, GDLC, and XRPR report weak inflows.
• SEC declines XRP-spot ETF applications.
• Legislative roadblocks, delays to the Market Structure Bill, or resistance to crypto-friendly regulations.
• Blue-chip companies avoid XRP as a treasury reserve asset.
• OCC delays or rejects Ripple’s US-chartered bank license.
• SWIFT maintains global dominance, capping Ripple’s market access.

These bearish events could push XRP below $3, exposing $2.8. If breached, $2.5 would be the next key support level.

Bullish Scenario

• BITW, GDLC, and XRPR report strong demand.
• BlackRock applies for an iShares XRP Trust, and the SEC green-lights XRP-spot ETFs.
• Blue-chip companies adopt XRP as treasury reserve assets, and more payment platforms integrate Ripple technology.
• Ripple secures a US-chartered bank license, and the Senate passes the Market Structure Bill.
• SWIFT loses market share of global remittances to Ripple.

These events could drive XRP toward $3.2. A sustained move through $3.2 could enable the bulls to target $3.335. A break above $3.335 may pave the way to the record high of $3.66 (Binance).

Conclusion: Could ETFs Trigger a Breakout?

XRP stands at a critical juncture. The coming weeks will show whether ETF approvals and regulatory breakthroughs send it to new highs—or whether setbacks drive it below $3.

Analysts will closely monitor how regulatory and economic risks affect XRP’s trajectory in the coming weeks.