XRP Price Surges as WisdomTree Files for Spot ETF – Could BlackRock Follow?

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The XRP market is experiencing a seismic shift as institutional interest reaches new heights. Global financial services firm WisdomTree has officially filed an S-1 application with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a spot XRP Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF), joining Bitwise, 21Shares, and Canary Funds in the regulatory race. This development has reignited optimism across the crypto community, sending XRP’s price soaring 24% in a single day to trade at $2.43.

The momentum behind XRP is no longer just speculative—it reflects a broader market rotation from meme-driven assets toward utility-focused cryptocurrencies. As traditional finance (TradFi) institutions signal stronger engagement, investors are pivoting toward digital assets with proven use cases and growing ecosystem adoption.

👉 Discover how institutional ETF filings are reshaping the crypto landscape.

Why the Spot XRP ETF Filing Matters

WisdomTree’s S-1 filing marks a critical milestone in XRP’s journey toward mainstream financial integration. Unlike futures-based ETFs, spot ETFs hold the actual underlying asset, offering investors direct exposure to XRP’s price movements. This type of product attracts long-term capital from pension funds, asset managers, and retail investors seeking transparency and regulatory compliance.

With multiple firms now in the SEC review pipeline—including Bitwise, 21Shares, and Canary Funds—the competitive pressure is mounting. The next big question on everyone’s mind: Will BlackRock and Fidelity join the race?

Historically, when BlackRock enters a market segment—such as Bitcoin or Ethereum ETFs—it often triggers a domino effect of institutional adoption. While neither BlackRock nor Fidelity has publicly announced XRP ETF plans, their past behavior suggests they closely monitor early movers. If WisdomTree gains approval, it could serve as the catalyst for larger players to follow.

Moreover, the political and regulatory environment appears increasingly favorable. Following Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory, speculation is growing that current SEC Chair Gary Gensler will step down. His potential successors—Paul Atkins, Brian Brooks, and Teresa Goody Guillen—are all known for their pro-crypto stances and support for blockchain innovation.

A shift in SEC leadership could dramatically accelerate the approval process for spot XRP ETFs. It may also lead to the resolution of the long-standing Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit. If the Commission drops its appeal of Judge Analisa Torres’ ruling—which determined that XRP is not inherently a security—this would provide much-needed regulatory clarity and open the floodgates for institutional investment.

XRP Price Rally: From Dormant to Dominant

Just weeks ago, XRP was largely overlooked despite a series of legal victories for Ripple Labs. Today, it's one of the top-performing cryptocurrencies, surging nearly 400% in the past month alone. This explosive rally has erased three years of sideways consolidation in a single monthly candle, demonstrating strong accumulation and renewed market confidence.

With a current market cap of $139 billion, XRP now ranks as the third-largest cryptocurrency by valuation on CoinMarketCap—surpassing both Solana and Tether. The asset’s rapid ascent has even sparked discussions about whether it could overtake Ethereum for the #2 spot.

Analysts project that XRP could reach a new all-time high by early 2025, driven by ETF speculation and expanding real-world utility. Long-term price targets range from $10 to $18, with some bullish forecasts suggesting double-digit valuations if global adoption accelerates.

“People began to believe in XRP after our first target was eliminated at $1.88. Fibonacci's level stands at $5.85.”
— Dark Defender (@DefendDark), December 2024

This sentiment echoes across technical communities, where traders are increasingly using Fibonacci extensions and volume analysis to map out potential breakout zones.

Utility Tokens Regain Spotlight Amid Meme Coin Decline

As XRP gains traction, capital is rotating out of speculative meme coins and into utility-based tokens with tangible applications. Chainlink (LINK), IOTA, and Hedera (HBAR) have all posted double-digit gains amid broader market stagnation.

This shift reflects a maturing crypto market where investors prioritize functionality over hype. Projects offering cross-chain interoperability, decentralized finance (DeFi) infrastructure, or real-world payment solutions are now commanding premium valuations.

One emerging player catching attention is Best Wallet Token (BEST)—a microcap asset tied to a fast-growing non-custodial wallet platform. The Best Wallet ecosystem supports over 60 blockchains and integrates with leading on-ramp providers like Onramper, enabling seamless fiat-to-crypto purchases.

Key features include:

Holders of the $BEST token enjoy exclusive benefits such as reduced trading fees, enhanced staking returns, and up to 8% cashback when using the Best Card. These utility-driven incentives have fueled strong demand during its public presale phase, raising close to $900,000 within days after securing $1 million in private funding.

Experts suggest BEST could deliver returns between 10x and 100x as the platform scales globally.

👉 See how next-gen wallet ecosystems are driving token value in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is a spot XRP ETF?
A: A spot ETF directly holds XRP tokens as underlying assets, allowing investors to gain exposure without managing private keys. It offers greater transparency than futures-based products.

Q: Has the SEC approved any spot XRP ETF yet?
A: No approvals have been granted as of now. Multiple applications are under review, including those from WisdomTree, Bitwise, and 21Shares.

Q: Could BlackRock file for an XRP ETF?
A: While unconfirmed, BlackRock often follows early movers in new asset classes. If WisdomTree’s application progresses favorably, a BlackRock filing becomes more likely.

Q: Is XRP considered a security by the SEC?
A: In July 2023, Judge Analisa Torres ruled that XRP sales to retail investors were not securities. The case remains partially under appeal, but this decision provided significant regulatory clarity.

Q: What factors are driving XRP’s price surge?
A: Key drivers include ETF speculation, institutional interest, Ripple’s ongoing global payment partnerships, and a broader market rotation into utility tokens.

Q: Where can I buy XRP securely?
A: Major regulated exchanges offer XRP trading with strong liquidity and compliance standards.

👉 Access trusted platforms to explore XRP and other high-potential assets.

Core Keywords

The convergence of regulatory progress, institutional filings, and technological utility positions XRP at the forefront of the next crypto cycle. Whether through ETF approvals or ecosystem innovation, the momentum behind this digital asset shows no signs of slowing down in 2025.