BlackRock’s XRP Snub Sparks ETF Frenzy: Cardano, Polkadot, and Chainlink Rumors Ignite Market Speculation

Wall Street's trillion-dollar whale makes a calculated pivot—and the crypto world holds its breath.

While XRP gets left in the cold, three major altcoins surge into the ETF rumor mill. Analysts whisper, traders lean in, and suddenly, everything feels like it's moving at light speed.

Cardano, Polkadot, Chainlink—the new darlings?

BlackRock’s silence on XRP speaks volumes. Maybe it’s regulatory jitters, maybe it’s strategy—either way, it’s fuel for the next narrative. Meanwhile, ADA, DOT, and LINK charts twitch with anticipation. Are we watching the next wave of institutional adoption… or just another round of speculative hopium?

Let’s be real—since when has Wall Street ever played fair? They’ll back the horse that’s already halfway down the track. Classic finance: late to the party, first to the buffet.

Keep your eyes on the tickers. Things are heating up.

Cardano ETF Rumors Drive Market Optimism

Meanwhile, Cardano (ADA) is becoming one of the hottest altcoin stories of September. Grayscale filed an updated S-1 with the SEC for its proposed Cardano ETF, boosting approval odds on prediction market Polymarket to 87%, up from 63–75%.

The proposed fund WOULD trade on NYSE Arca, holding ADA directly with Coinbase Custody providing security. Analysts believe an approval could propel ADA’s price well above $1.00, with potential gains of 40–55% if institutional inflows materialize.

Beyond ETF speculation, cardano continues to build fundamentals with ecosystem upgrades such as smart contract enhancements and the Midnight privacy protocol.

Polkadot (DOT) and chainlink (LINK) have also captured investor attention amid ETF buzz and ecosystem progress. DOT, trading around $3.76, has been resilient, with analysts forecasting steady growth toward $4.20 this year and $6.99–$8.45 in 2026 as adoption of its cross-chain technology expands.

Chainlink, on the other hand, surged past $23 in late August after the U.S. Department of Commerce announced it would publish official economic data on-chain using Chainlink’s oracle network.

Bitwise also filed for a Chainlink spot ETF, further fueling bullish sentiment. Analysts see potential for LINK to retest highs near $30 if momentum holds.

With ETF speculation filling the market, BlackRock’s conservative stance on XRP contrasts sharply with the aggressive push by rivals into Cardano, Polkadot, and Chainlink. As SEC decisions approach this fall, the outcome could redefine institutional participation in the broader crypto market.

Cover image from ChatGPT, ADAUSD chart from Tradingview