XRP ETF Launch Nears as Wall Street Prepares First U.S. Funds
XRP is on the verge of gaining unprecedented visibility in traditional finance, with the first U.S.-listed XRP ETF set to launch today.
At the same time, derivatives giant CME Group is preparing to add XRP options, signaling a pivotal expansion of crypto investment products beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
First U.S.-Listed XRP ETF Set for Debut
On Sept. 18, REX Shares and Osprey Funds are scheduled to launch ETFs tied to XRP and Dogecoin (DOGE) on the Cboe BZX Exchange, under the tickers XRPR and DOJE.
The funds will not be “pure†spot ETFs. Instead, according to filings, they are structured to hold XRP and DOGE directly while also investing in non-U.S. spot ETFs to supplement exposure. The structure also allows for the potential use of derivatives if needed, though this would not be the primary mechanism.
Bloomberg Intelligence analyst James Seyffart noted on X that the setup reflects the regulatory hurdles of building crypto ETFs in the U.S., where direct spot products remain limited.
Still, the XRP ETF launch marks the first time U.S. brokerage accounts will have access to an exchange-traded fund focused on the token, expanding investor options beyond Bitcoin and Ether.
CME Plans XRP and Solana Options
The wave of new access points will continue in October. On Oct. 13, pending regulatory approval, CME Group aims to introduce options on XRP and Solana (SOL) futures.
The contracts will be listed on both standard and smaller micro futures, with expiries available daily, monthly, and quarterly. These products are designed to provide flexibility for institutions, trading desks, and active retail traders looking for structured ways to manage risk.
The move builds on strong trading demand for altcoin futures at CME. Since their launch earlier this year, XRP futures have already recorded more than 370,000 contracts traded (about $16.2 billion notional), while Solana futures have logged over 540,000 contracts (around $22.3 billion notional).
Major market participants, including Cumberland and FalconX, have welcomed the expansion, citing growing institutional appetite for crypto hedging tools that go beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
A Defining Moment for XRP
The debut of an XRP ETF alongside the planned launch of CME derivatives suggests the token is gaining legitimacy in traditional markets. For institutional and retail investors alike, these products represent a new gateway to XRP exposure through regulated platforms.
XRP price chart (Source: CoinMarketCap)
While questions remain about whether demand will match the scale of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, the upcoming launches highlight a major milestone: Wall Street is broadening its crypto toolkit, and XRP is now part of that picture.
