XRP traders are closely watching the market today as VolatilityShares officially launches the first-ever 1x XRP futures exchange-traded fund (ETF). Trading under the ticker XRPI, the product is expected to open new avenues for investors looking to gain exposure to XRP without leverage.
The ETF is designed to track the daily performance of XRP futures contracts and offers a non-leveraged alternative to the existing 2x XRP product. Compared to leveraged products, XRPI gives market participants a safer option to avoid extra risk from rapid price changes.
Bloomberg Senior ETF Analyst Eric Balchunas confirmed the launch via his X account, stating that XRPI can attract a broad range of investors. The earlier Ripple ETF from Grayscale has over $120 million of assets and averages $35 million in daily trading. The statistics indicate that XRP-related financial products are becoming popular.
VolatilityShares has launched a regulated XRP futures contract for traders seeking exposure to crypto assets in response to a rising need. The 1x ETF is for investors hoping to connect with XRP but looking for an alternative with more stability.
Also Read: Inside the Mind of a Crypto Whale: How Big Wallets Move Markets
VolatilityShares is launching the first-ever XRP futures ETF tomorrow, ticker $XRPI.. yes there is a 2x XRP already on market (this is first 1x) and it has $120m aum and trades $35m/day. Good signal that there will be demand for this one. pic.twitter.com/rCooyNZgu0
— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) May 21, 2025
Regulatory Delays and Investor Sentiment Remain in Focus
The introduction of XRPI comes as XRP remains a subject of regulatory attention. Despite a court ruling that declared XRP not a security, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has yet to approve several pending applications for spot XRP ETFs.
Bitwise was the first to file for a spot XRP ETF in October 2024, followed by other applicants, including ProShares, 21Shares, and Canary Capital. Analysts say BlackRock is still monitoring this trend, but the largest asset manager has not yet joined the movement.
Crypto analyst SMQKE, in a post shared on X, stated that BlackRock may be holding off due to the current regulatory climate. He believes the company will not file its application until there is greater certainty about XRP. The analyst added that the SEC’s recent delays also point in this direction.
At the same time, trading in XRP has been strong leading up to the release of XRPI, with the token currently at $2.40 after briefly reaching $2.43 within the last 24 hours. Trading volume has increased by more than 32 percent in the previous 24 hours, hitting $3.95 billion.
This rise in volume and price movement shows that investor interest remains steady despite the regulatory uncertainties. The establishment of XRPI may confirm XRP’s importance for institutions and may impact future SEC decisions related to other XRP products.
As the first days of trading begin for XRPI, those trading XRP are keeping a close eye on the market’s reactions. The ETF could signal a shift in how XRP is accessed and valued by mainstream investors, especially those avoiding the risks of leverage.
Also Read: XRP Futures Launch on CME With $19M Surge—Wall Street Is Paying Attention
