XRP Poised to Lead Next Crypto ETF Wave with Dual Value and Payment Capabilities

The XRP Ledger’s unique capability to support both value transfer and real-world payments from a single platform could position it as a strong contender in the expanding crypto ETF landscape, according to Bitnomial founder and CEO Luke Hoersten. Speaking at Ripple’s Swell conference in New York, Hoersten emphasized that XRP and RLUSD’s combined strategy of wealth storage and payments within one ledger sets the ecosystem apart.

“What’s unique about XRP and RLUSD is that you have one ledger driving a two-prong strategy—XRP for value transfer and RLUSD for payments,” Hoersten noted. “That unified approach gives XRP a structural advantage.”

During the same panel, which also featured Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley, Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg, and Bloomberg Intelligence’s Eric Balchunas, the discussion centered on how a spot XRP ETF could outperform previous crypto ETF launches. McClurg revealed that recent SEC regulations now allow ETF issuers to file a “no-delay amendment,” which could fast-track XRP’s ETF approval. “We filed XRP with a no-delay amendment, meaning it could go live as early as next week,” McClurg said.

Bitwise, fresh off the success of its Solana staking ETF (BSOL) — which attracted $500 million in its first week — is also preparing an XRP fund. Horsley expressed confidence in XRP’s strong investor base, predicting robust performance upon launch. “XRP is one of the highest conviction assets among investors,” he said.

Balchunas compared the ETF competition to a “Cannonball Run,” suggesting XRP could emerge as the breakout ETF of the next crypto cycle. While experts cautioned that an ETF launch doesn’t guarantee a price surge, they agreed that new financial tools like in-kind creation and physically settled futures could position XRP favorably as crypto integrates deeper into traditional finance.