Ripple CEO Garlinghouse participated in Ripple’s “Crypto in One Minute” podcast, delving into the crypto-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs) just days after the historic launch of the first XRP futures ETF on Nasdaq.
His crisp, insightful remarks shine a spotlight on why crypto-based ETFs are catching everyone’s eye and why traditional finance is finally opening its doors to digital assets.
Why the Buzz Around Crypto ETFs? Garlinghouse Shares Two Big Reasons
Garlinghouse identified two major drivers behind the growing excitement around crypto ETFs since their January 2024 debut.
First, institutional investors – from pension funds to endowments – have long struggled to access crypto assets directly. Before ETFs, they were stuck with cumbersome self-custody or relying on centralized exchanges, which limited their ability to trade crypto efficiently.
Now, crypto ETFs have smashed that barrier, enabling Wall Street heavyweights and financial institutions to seamlessly trade crypto. This newfound accessibility is a game changer.
Second, Garlinghouse argues that crypto ETFs are ‘institutionalizing the entire crypto industry’. He pointed to Bitcoin’s ETF as a historic example: it was the fastest ETF ever to hit $1 billion in assets and quickly soared past the $10 billion mark, leaving behind all other ETFs.
Garlinghouse predicts Bitcoin ETFs will eventually rival gold ETFs. Bold claim!
XRP Futures ETFs Signal Crypto’s Institutional Leap Forward
The launch of Volatility Shares’ XRP futures ETF on Nasdaq, under the XRPI ticker, marks a transformative step, following CME’s XRP-futures debut on May 19, 2025.
Just before a month of its launch, Teucrium’s 2x Long Daily XRP ETF and Bitcoin futures’ 2017 legacy underscore market maturation. Despite SEC delays, XRP’s resilience, recovering from $2.29 to $2.34, shows investors’ trust.
Garlinghouse’s sharp insights have ignited a buzz across social channels like X. Many praised his clear, concise take as the best one-minute crypto briefing around.
Users highlighted how institutional warming to crypto – especially XRP’s growing role in futures and ETFs – signals a broader shift. Conversations also touched on Bitcoin’s notorious volatility, Solana’s breakout potential, Pi token’s Kraken debut with 20x leverage, and JPMorgan’s recent stablecoin considerations amidst regulatory uncertainties.
Exciting Era for Crypto
As XRP hits new milestones and the crypto ETF market matures, Garlinghouse’s perspective underscores a transformative moment for institutional crypto adoption.
While regulatory roadblocks like SEC delays remain, XRP’s bounce-back, coupled with growing traction in Bitcoin and Solana markets, paints a interesting (and bullish) picture.
