XRP Futures ETF Launch Marks Major US Milestone

XRP has taken a major leap forward in the financial markets as Volatility Shares launched the first-ever 1x XRP futures ETF designed for U.S.-based investors. This move represents a pivotal development for Ripple and the broader XRP ecosystem, offering new avenues for institutional and retail market participants to engage with XRP without directly owning the token.

Volatility Shares, a well-known player in cryptocurrency-linked ETFs, initiated trading of two XRP futures-based funds — XRPI and XRPT — on Nasdaq as of May 22, 2025. XRPI provides unleveraged, direct exposure reflecting XRP’s daily futures performance. Meanwhile, XRPT is a leveraged fund, aiming to deliver double the daily movements of XRP futures minus fees and costs.

These investment products are tailored to meet growing demand for regulated crypto investment vehicles. By offering exposure to XRP in an ETF format, investors can bypass the complications often associated with direct ownership — such as maintaining private wallets, navigating crypto taxation intricacies, or dealing with the technical aspects of handling digital assets.

CEO Justin Young of Volatility Shares highlighted the advantage of early adoption, stating, “While others are still figuring out how to approach new digital assets, our investors can already be positioned through familiar ETF structures.” His statement emphasizes the firm’s proactive stance and its commitment to bringing regulated innovation to the market ahead of its peers.

This landmark listing arrives shortly after the CME Group debuted XRP futures trading on its derivatives platform, drawing in over $15.6 million in combined daily volume on May 19. According to CME’s global head of crypto products, Giovanni Vicioso, institutional demand for the XRP Ledger and its practical use cases has been a driving force for this expansion.

Volatility Shares’ entry into XRP follows its successful prior launches of ETFs built around Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. These moves indicate the firm’s broader strategy of capturing key crypto innovations using traditional financial instruments that U.S. investors are familiar with.

While these ETFs do not involve direct XRP custody, they provide a compliant and accessible tool for those seeking XRP exposure. This evolution in investment strategy could be particularly appealing for more conservative institutions that are restricted by traditional risk management frameworks or regulatory guidance from directly buying or holding crypto assets.

Enthusiasm among market participants is also trending toward a potential spot XRP ETF. Notably, Nate Geraci, president of the ETF Store, commented shortly after CME’s XRP futures debut that approval for a spot XRP ETF in the U.S. is “only a matter of time.” The momentum behind XRP’s integration into federally regulated channels like CME and Nasdaq strengthens this possibility considerably.

As XRP continues to carve a niche beyond just cross-border settlements and expands its financial reach into legacy systems, these latest launches by Volatility Shares exemplify a shift toward standardized crypto exposure that minimizes complexity without compromising potential. Ripple enthusiasts and crypto investors now have more tools at their disposal to participate in XRP’s growth without stepping into the technical weeds of digital asset management.

For investors, the emergence of instruments like XRPI and XRPT could signal a new chapter of mainstream legitimacy for XRP — one where regulatory clarity, institutional appetite, and technological utility converge.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

The expansion of XRP futures investment options as seen through the launch of these ETFs plays a vital role in shaping how XRP is perceived and utilized in diversified portfolios. The current shift suggests not only maturing infrastructure around XRP but a growing acknowledgment of its long-term relevance within the broader digital asset economy.