Bitwise CIO: How XRP’s Army of Holders Is Fueling the ETF Frenzy

The crypto ETF race just got hotter—and this time, it's not just about Bitcoin. Bitwise's Chief Investment Officer reveals why XRP's grassroots momentum can't be ignored.

Forget Wall Street whales—retail traders are driving this train. The XRP community's relentless advocacy has turned regulatory headaches into a compelling ETF narrative.

But here's the kicker: while institutions play catch-up, true believers have been stacking XRP through every lawsuit and SEC tantrum. Now their patience might pay off—unless, of course, the usual financial gatekeepers find a way to take 2% fees for 'managing' what holders already custody perfectly well.

TLDR

• XRP ETFs are gaining momentum due to the strong support of a dedicated and loyal community.
• Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan emphasizes that community passion, not just market price, drives the demand for XRP ETFs.
• New investors tend to focus on broad exposure rather than deep technical understanding, boosting index-based products.
• Bitwise plans to launch its own XRP ETF on November 20, following other major launches in the market.
• Despite market fluctuations, XRP ETFs remain popular due to the confidence and commitment of XRP holders.

XRP’s spot ETF products have gained traction, raising a key question: did institutional demand fuel these offerings, or was it the passionate XRP community? Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise, shared insights on the growing demand for crypto ETFs and the role of community in these decisions. He pointed out that the loyalty and activity of XRP holders have played a crucial role in the market’s response to the launch of XRP ETFs.

Hougan Highlights Community Support Behind XRP ETFs

Matt Hougan highlighted that, for many new investors, understanding the technical differences between cryptocurrencies like XRP and others isn’t a priority. Instead, investors tend to focus on broad market exposure, making index-based products a key focus. Hougan emphasized that the future of single-asset ETFs will likely focus on assets with dedicated communities, even if the broader market has doubts.

Hougan shared that Bitwise’s strategy for launching single-coin funds relies heavily on community backing. He remarked that the enthusiasm and commitment of the XRP community are major factors in the success of XRP ETFs, despite potential skepticism from outsiders. “The Core holders of XRP are deeply invested and confident, which drives demand for ETF products,” Hougan said.

XRP Community Drives Continued ETF Demand

XRP’s ETF debut has been strong, with multiple products now in the pipeline. Franklin Templeton’s EZRP ETF is set to launch on November 18, while Bitwise plans to launch its own XRP ETF on November 20. These launches follow Canary Capital’s $250 million debut on November 13, further solidifying XRP’s presence in the ETF space.

Despite XRP’s price fluctuations, including a decline to $2.20 during its ETF debut, the momentum surrounding XRP ETFs has remained strong. Hougan’s comments underscore that the demand for XRP ETFs comes from the passionate community rather than fluctuating market conditions. This enduring interest suggests that XRP ETFs will continue to attract investor attention in the coming months.