XRP continues to capture the interest of traditional finance as various new products enter the securities and derivatives markets, providing investors with greater avenues to gain exposure to the cryptocurrency. As of the latest data, XRP is priced at approximately $3.0263, reflecting a slight decline of nearly 1% over the past day.
On September 18, REX Shares in collaboration with Osprey Funds is set to launch the first-ever U.S.-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) specifically tied to XRP and Dogecoin (DOGE). These ETFs, which will trade on the Cboe BZX Exchange under the tickers XRPR and DOJE, represent a significant step forward, although analysts point out that they are not entirely traditional spot funds.
Bloomberg Intelligence analyst, James Seyffart, detailed that while the funds will hold XRP and DOGE directly, they will also include investments in external spot ETFs to meet regulatory requirements. Additionally, the structure may allow for the use of derivatives to gain exposure, although this is anticipated to be a secondary method. This development highlights the complexities involved in establishing regulated crypto ETFs in the United States, where sponsors often need to incorporate indirect exposure strategies.
This launch signifies a milestone, as it will mark the first instance that U.S. brokerage accounts will have direct access to ETFs focused on XRP and DOGE, thereby diversifying the existing offering that has predominantly revolved around Bitcoin and Ethereum.
In a further expansion of the crypto derivatives landscape, the CME Group has announced plans to introduce options on XRP and Solana (SOL) futures, with a target date of October 13, pending regulatory approval. This move is set to enhance CME’s existing crypto derivatives offerings, which have seen considerable growth in recent months.
The new options will be available on both standard contracts and their smaller “micro” counterparts, aiming to cater to a diverse range of market participants—from institutional traders to individual active traders. Expiry options will encompass every business day, monthly, and quarterly expirations, providing a broader array of choices for managing investment exposures.
According to CME Group, the decision to introduce these products follows a surge in trading activity within its alternatives portfolio. Since their inception, SOL futures have registered over 540,000 contracts traded, equating to approximately $22.3 billion in notional value. Meanwhile, XRP futures, which were launched in May, have witnessed over 370,000 contracts exchanged, representing about $16.2 billion in notional terms. This trend is welcomed by market participants, including firms like Cumberland and FalconX, who emphasize the growing need for hedging instruments that extend beyond the usual Bitcoin and Ethereum scopes.
As one of the leading regulated derivatives marketplaces globally, CME Group is adapting its offerings to include a wider range of liquid tokens, thereby providing traders with enhanced hedging capabilities. The addition of XRP and SOL options demonstrates a growing commitment within the industry to create a diverse suite of financial instruments that cater to the evolving needs of the crypto market.
