SEC’s Ongoing Delays on Ripple ETFs
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has once again pushed back decisions on multiple spot Ripple (XRP) ETF applications. Franklin Templeton’s XRP ETF filing was the most recent to be postponed, moving its decision deadline to November instead of September 17. These delays follow a broader pattern where the SEC has repeatedly extended deadlines for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in the past.
Critics argue that the constant postponements frustrate institutional investors who want regulated exposure to XRP. Still, history shows that such delays are part of the normal ETF approval process rather than a final rejection.
Political Pressure and SEC Leadership Shifts
The political climate in Washington is another factor contributing to the SEC’s cautious approach. Following Donald Trump’s presidential victory and Gary Gensler’s departure, leadership changes have not immediately translated into faster approvals.
Popular XRP Army members believe the SEC is intentionally dragging its feet in an election year to avoid being accused of moving “too fast” on crypto regulation. Political pressure has historically influenced financial regulators, especially when it involves volatile and high-profile assets like XRP. This means that while the SEC may stall, ultimate approval is still expected once the political climate stabilizes.
Custody and Settlement Concerns
One of the SEC’s main priorities before approving any ETF is clarity around custody and settlement procedures. For XRP ETFs, the Commission wants assurances that investor assets will be securely stored and transactions will be processed without risk.
Surveillance-sharing agreements with major exchanges are also under review, as these are designed to reduce manipulation in the underlying market. Until these boxes are checked, the SEC is unlikely to issue a green light. While these requirements slow down the timeline, they also ensure stronger investor protections once ETFs go live.
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Delays Do Not Equal Rejections
Despite growing frustration, experts emphasize that delays should not be seen as outright rejections. Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs faced similar repeated extensions before eventually gaining approval in 2024. The SEC often uses delays to gather additional public comments, evaluate risk factors, and refine regulatory frameworks. For Ripple, this indicates that the agency is taking a cautious but consistent path, rather than attempting to block the asset altogether. For investors, the key takeaway is that patience may ultimately pay off, just as it did for BTC and ETH.
XRP Army Pushes Back Against SEC Stalling
The XRP Army, known for its vocal and organized presence online, has been quick to call out the SEC for its slow pace. John Squire, an influential community figure with over 500,000 followers on X, argued that approval delays are more about buying time than actual disapproval. He emphasized that Wall Street’s appetite for XRP exposure makes ETFs “inevitable.”
Social media campaigns, petitions, and coordinated awareness efforts have kept Ripple ETFs in the public spotlight. This persistence ensures that the SEC cannot ignore the growing demand for institutional-grade XRP products.
Expert Predictions and Market Sentiment
ETF experts also see approval as only a matter of time. Nate Geraci of the ETF Institute has stated that the probability of XRP ETFs launching in the U.S. this year is near 100%. Polymarket, a prediction platform, currently shows odds close to that figure as well, reflecting strong market confidence.
Analysts argue that institutional demand, combined with Ripple’s legal clarity following its SEC case, makes the approval process more straightforward. This positive sentiment has already sparked price speculation around XRP as traders anticipate inflows from institutional investors.
Why Ripple ETF Approval Is Inevitable
The combination of institutional demand, legal clarity, and historical precedent strongly suggests that Ripple ETFs will be approved. While the SEC may continue to delay deadlines into late 2025, experts agree that rejection is highly unlikely.
Approval would not only legitimize XRP further but also open the doors for billions in inflows from hedge funds, pensions, and corporate treasuries. For Ripple, this milestone could accelerate adoption in cross-border payments and enterprise partnerships. In the long run, Ripple ETFs could become one of the defining catalysts for XRP’s next major price cycle.
