The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has acknowledged Grayscale’s filing for an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), a significant development for the cryptocurrency market. This marks a pivotal moment for XRP, especially as it is still in the midst of its ongoing legal battle with the SEC. The filing, if approved, could pave the way for similar applications to be granted, including those from other firms like Canary Fund, 21Shares, WisdomTree, and Bitwise.

Grayscale’s XRP Trust, which currently manages $12.8 million in assets, is seeking to convert into a Spot ETF. The SEC’s acknowledgment of the filing signals a shift in regulatory attitudes, as the agency could have easily rejected it due to the ongoing lawsuit involving Ripple, the company behind XRP. This move has fueled significant reactions from the crypto community, with many viewing it as a sign that the SEC is becoming more open-minded regarding cryptocurrency products.

Shift in SEC’s Stance: A Sign of Open-Mindedness

Industry experts have noted the significance of the SEC’s decision to acknowledge the filing despite the ongoing litigation with Ripple. Nate Geraci, a commentator from ETF Store, highlighted that the SEC could have rejected the filing outright, given the legal issues surrounding Ripple and XRP. According to Geraci, the SEC’s acknowledgment represents an “enormous message” signaling a potential shift in the regulatory body’s approach to crypto assets.

While this move has generated optimism, it’s important to note that it does not guarantee automatic approval. As FOX Business reporter Eleanor Terrett pointed out, the SEC’s decision to consider the filing suggests the regulator is being more open-minded but does not confirm that the XRP ETF will be approved. The next step in the process involves the SEC reviewing the filing and possibly approving or denying it within the next 240 days.

Rising Optimism in the Crypto Community

Despite the uncertainties, the crypto community remains optimistic about the future of the XRP ETF. The chances of approval have risen significantly in recent weeks, with Polymarket’s approval odds for an XRP ETF in 2025 reaching 80%, an increase from previous months. The growing optimism stems from the SEC’s willingness to engage with the XRP ETF filing, a departure from its prior stance against other crypto-related ETF applications.

XRP’s price has already responded positively to this news. The altcoin recently saw a 15% surge over three days, with its price climbing to $2.7, just 25% away from its all-time high of $3.4. According to crypto analyst Ali Martinez, XRP could potentially reclaim the $3 price point soon. This price level represents the middle range target of the ascending channel that XRP has formed since December, further fueling speculation about a potential price rally.

What’s Next for XRP?

If the SEC grants approval for the XRP ETF, it could significantly boost market confidence in XRP. The ETF’s potential debute would make XRP more accessible to a broader range of institutional investors, potentially driving its price to new highs. The approval of the ETF could also trigger a surge in demand for XRP, as it would likely lead to increased exposure and legitimacy for the cryptocurrency.

However, the legal battle with the SEC remains an ongoing concern, and any changes in the lawsuit could still impact XRP’s price. Despite this, the acknowledgment of the ETF filing marks a positive step forward for XRP, signaling a potential turning point in both its legal journey and market outlook.

In conclusion, the SEC’s acknowledgment of Grayscale’s XRP ETF filing has injected a renewed sense of optimism into the crypto community. While the approval process is far from guaranteed, the increased likelihood of approval, combined with rising market sentiment, has positioned XRP for a potential price surge. Traders and investors will be closely watching the SEC’s next steps as they assess the impact of this development on XRP’s future price movements.