Franklin Templeton Joins XRP ETF Race, Calling It ‘Foundational’ to Global Finance

Core Viewpoint - Franklin Templeton has launched its XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), the Franklin XRP Trust (XRPZ), on NYSE Arca, providing regulated access to the XRP token and joining other fund issuers in the market [1][2]. Group 1: Company Developments - The launch of XRPZ expands Franklin Templeton's cryptocurrency offerings, which now include ETFs linked to bitcoin (EZBC), ether (EZET), XRP (XRPZ), and a diversified digital asset fund (EZPZ) [2]. - David Mann, Head of ETF Product and Capital Markets at Franklin Templeton, emphasized XRP's foundational role in global settlement infrastructure [2]. - The ETF structure allows both institutional and retail investors to gain exposure to XRP through brokerage accounts, ensuring daily pricing and SEC oversight [4]. Group 2: Market Context - The launch of Franklin Templeton's ETF signifies a notable shift in XRP's market position, especially following the SEC's lawsuit against Ripple in late 2020, which alleged that XRP was sold as an unregistered security [2]. - The lawsuit was settled in August 2025, with Ripple agreeing to a $125 million settlement without admitting wrongdoing, which has contributed to a resurgence of interest in XRP [2]. - The entry of institutional players into the crypto space through regulated investment vehicles is part of a broader trend, with Franklin Templeton's ETF reflecting this movement [3]. Group 3: Industry Insights - Roger Bayston, head of digital assets at Franklin Templeton, noted that blockchain innovation is fostering fast-growing businesses, with digital asset tokens like XRP serving as key incentive mechanisms [4]. - The ETF provides regulated custody, daily transparency, and liquidity, simplifying the process of holding the token directly for investors [4]. - Bitwise, another crypto asset manager, launched its XRP ETF recently and reported approximately $118 million in inflows, indicating strong market interest [5].