BlackRock and the Rumored XRP Spot ETF: What Investors Should Watch
The crypto market is buzzing with speculation that BlackRock—the world’s largest asset manager—may be eyeing a spot XRP exchange‑traded fund (ETF). While no formal filing exists today, even the whisper of a BlackRock application has lit a fire under XRP bulls. Below is a concise, research‑backed look at why the rumor matters, the roadblocks that remain, and what an XRP ETF could mean for the broader market.
Who Is BlackRock?
The Hidden Monopoly Controlling America (And the World)
88% of S&P 500 companies have BlackRock, Vanguard, or State Street as their largest shareholder. That’s not capitalism—that’s a corporate oligarchy.
🔍 Follow the Money:
– Defense contractors? Raytheon, Boeing, Lockheed… pic.twitter.com/veKE8CebiM— Camus (@newstart_2024) July 29, 2025
Founded in 1988, BlackRock oversees more money than any other asset manager on the planet. Its assets under management reached a record $11.6 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2024, underscoring the firm’s outsize influence on global markets. Reuters The company’s iShares division dominates the ETF landscape, giving it both the scale and the distribution network to move markets when it enters a new asset class.
Why an XRP Spot ETF Could Matter
Unlike Bitcoin or Ethereum—both of which already have U.S. spot ETFs—XRP’s regulatory path has been murky. A BlackRock‑sponsored product would:
Unlock institutional capital. Pension funds and registered investment advisers barred from holding spot tokens could gain exposure through a regulated wrapper.
Add instant credibility. BlackRock’s due diligence process and government relationships signal to conservative investors that XRP has cleared key legal and operational hurdles.
Boost liquidity. ETF market‑makers would need to acquire and arbitrage XRP, tightening spreads and potentially dampening volatility.
Rumors of a potential “iShares XRP Trust” have already stirred market optimism and contributed to XRP’s 40‑plus‑percent rally in July. Brave New Coin
Current State of ETF Filings
Bitcoin & Ethereum: BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) is one of the fastest‑growing crypto ETFs. Its iShares Ethereum Trust (ETHA) is now the fourth‑largest ETF by 30‑day inflows. CryptoSlate
Ethereum staking proposal: On July 16, 2025 Nasdaq filed a rule change that would let ETHA stake some or all of its Ether and pass rewards to shareholders, starting a 45‑ to 90‑day SEC review clock. CryptoSlate
XRP: To date, BlackRock has not filed for an XRP spot product. Industry analysts note that at least seven other issuers—including Bitwise—already have XRP ETF proposals in the queue, but none has been approved. Yahoo Finance BlackRock itself has publicly denied filing, although it has referenced the Ripple v. SEC lawsuit in earlier Bitcoin ETF documents, showing it is monitoring XRP’s legal status closely. Binance
Regulatory Hurdles and Timeline
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission still needs to resolve key questions:
Commodity vs. Security: A pending SEC closed meeting on July 31, 2025 could include a vote to withdraw the agency’s appeal in the Ripple case—a move analysts say would remove the biggest legal cloud over XRP. FXEmpire
Creation‑redemption mechanics: The SEC’s new rule allowing in‑kind transfers for crypto ETFs may fast‑track altcoin products, including XRP. CoinGape
Staking precedent: Approval of ETHA’s staking feature would signal the regulator’s comfort with more complex ETF structures, potentially smoothing the way for XRP.
If the SEC follows the same timeline it used for Bitcoin and Ethereum, a spot XRP ETF could appear as early as Q4 2025, though delays are common.
Potential Market Impact
Utah State Treasurer @MarloOaks sends a clear warning to @BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and @JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon:
Stop using your customers’ money to prop up the woke agenda or prepare to face consequences. pic.twitter.com/hS8RNaZxxC
— Will Hild (@WillHild) July 29, 2025
Price: Analysts estimate that a BlackRock XRP ETF could attract $5 billion–$8 billion in its first year—enough to move the token’s market cap significantly, especially in conjunction with reduced circulating supply from escrow releases.
Correlations: Bitcoin and Ethereum’s ETF launches tightened their correlation with traditional risk assets. XRP could experience a similar shift, becoming more sensitive to macro factors like interest rates.
Altcoin outlook: A successful XRP fund would likely pave the way for ETFs tied to Solana (SOL) or other large‑cap tokens, broadening institutional crypto exposure beyond the current BTC–ETH duopoly.
Key Takeaways
BlackRock’s sheer size and ETF track record make it the “biggest person in the room.” If it files for an XRP spot ETF, the move would be a de‑facto green‑light for many institutional investors.
No filing exists yet, but the firm’s Ethereum‑staking proposal shows it is still innovating within crypto.
Regulatory clarity—especially the SEC’s handling of Ripple’s case—remains the gating factor.
Investors interested in front‑running a possible ETF should weigh the upside of early exposure against the downside of regulatory setbacks. Dollar‑cost averaging or position‑sizing discipline can mitigate timing risk.
