- An XRP exchange-traded fund will simply hit $1 billion in property, says Matt Hougan of Bitwise.
- Crypto insiders are bearish, however that’s not what issues.
- Believers in XRP will drive flows past expectations.
Whereas a lot of the crypto trade isn’t keen on XRP, Matt Hougan is predicting a blockbuster debut for the Ripple-linked cryptocurrency.
Bitwise’s chief funding officer instructed DL News that an XRP exchange-traded fund will “simply change into” a billion-dollar fund inside its first handful of months — dramatically exceeding what sceptics count on.
“Individuals underestimate it as a result of the median opinion in crypto is fairly bearish on XRP,” Hougan stated. “However what drives flows? A gaggle of folks that buys the asset — and the XRP Military is extremely bullish and loves XRP.”
Proper now, there are about 20 XRP ETF filings pending with the SEC. That’s trailing each Bitcoin and Solana’s 23 filings. Ethereum, in the meantime, has 16 filings pending, according to Eric Balchunas, Bloomberg Intelligence ETF professional.
Balchunas forecasts the variety of crypto property with ETFs — of which there are presently fewer than than 5 — to surpass 200 in the following 12 months.
Simply yesterday, three extra got here to life, with a new Bitwise Solana ETF debuting with a bang.
Deep-pocketed buyers have already been loading up on XRP. Whales have purchased virtually $560 million in XRP over the previous week, according to Santiment. Their purchases come as three XRP ETF approval deadlines expire on the SEC.
The XRP Military
Hougan’s confidence comes down to at least one easy remark: ETFs don’t want the approval of crypto Twitter to succeed.
As an alternative, they want passionate patrons prepared to deploy capital.
XRP has that in spades. The so-called “XRP Military” — a devoted group of retail holders of the cryptocurrency — has remained fiercely loyal by years of regulatory uncertainty, together with Ripple’s protracted legal battle with the SEC.
“Flows will dramatically exceed what persons are anticipating,” Hougan stated.
“ETFs die in apathy, and that received’t be the case right here.”
Certainly, the distinction with different altcoin ETFs is stark. Many crypto property have technical advantage however lack passionate retail communities.
XRP has the alternative downside — it’s broadly dismissed by crypto insiders for its centralised construction and company ties, however it instructions intense loyalty from holders.
Lacking the purpose
Critics of XRP level to Ripple’s management over the token’s provide, its deal with institutional partnerships quite than decentralisation, and its combined monitor report as a cross-border funds answer.
However Hougan argues that misses the purpose totally. Institutional adoption doesn’t require consensus from crypto natives — it requires identifiable purchaser demand.
Bitcoin ETFs pulled in $107 billion in their first yr regardless of loads of sceptics. And simply yesterday, a new staked Solana ETF posted the largest launch of any ETF in 2025.
Each succeeded as a result of they tapped into actual demand, and in the method received over doubters.
XRP may observe the identical sample — and Hougan is banking on it: “The XRP Military will smash-buy the ETF.”
Pedro Solimano is DL News’ Buenos Aires-based markets correspondent. Acquired a tip? E-mail him at psolimano@dlnews.com.
