The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has once again delayed its decision on several spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications, leaving investors waiting longer for clarity.
Another Pushback for XRP ETFs
In notices filed on August 18, the SEC said it will extend its review of multiple XRP ETF proposals submitted by issuers including CoinShares, 21Shares, Canary Capital, and Grayscale.
This is not the first delay. Back in May, the regulator also paused the process, citing the need for “further consideration” before making a ruling. Now, the timeline has been pushed out by another 60 days, with new deadlines falling between October 18 and 23.
One filing stated:
“Accordingly, the Commission, pursuant to Section 19(b)(2) of the Act, designates October 19, 2025, as the date by which the Commission shall either approve or disapprove the proposed rule change.”
The move mirrors similar delays for other altcoin ETFs, including those tied to Solana (SOL) and Litecoin (LTC), both of which are also unlikely to see decisions before late October.
No Rejection Just Waiting Longer
While these delays extend the uncertainty, analysts emphasize that they do not signal rejection. Instead, they reflect the SEC’s cautious approach amid heightened demand for altcoin-based ETFs.
XRP has recently been trading between $3.20 and $3.35, and despite the regulatory pause, market sentiment remains upbeat.
Analysts Still Bullish on Approval Odds
Industry experts are optimistic that the SEC will eventually approve an XRP ETF. Bloomberg analysts James Seyffart and Eric Balchunas put the odds of approval at 95%, pointing to several favorable factors most notably the recent resolution of the long-running Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit, which has provided much-needed regulatory clarity around XRP.
Betting markets also remain confident. On Polymarket, odds of an XRP ETF approval before the end of 2025 stand at 77%, up 6% in the past day despite the delay.
BlackRock Stays on the Sidelines
Meanwhile, speculation that BlackRock could enter the XRP ETF race appears to be unfounded. Earlier this month, ETF Store president Nate Geraci floated the idea that the world’s largest asset manager might join the fray. However, BlackRock has reportedly confirmed it has “no plans at this time.”
Outlook: Delays, But Growing Confidence
While the SEC’s decision is now postponed until October, the broader outlook for an XRP ETF remains positive. With institutional demand rising, corporate interest growing, and Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC finally resolved, many believe it’s only a matter of time before approval is granted.
