Bitwise CIO Predicts XRP ETF to Surpass $1 Billion Driven by "XRP Army" Demand

Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan has boldly predicted that an Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) for XRP will "easily become" a billion-dollar fund within its initial months of trading, primarily fueled by strong demand from the cryptocurrency's dedicated community. This forecast comes amidst a wave of optimism for XRP-related investment products, following the recent resolution of Ripple's long-standing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Hougan's confidence, as highlighted in a tweet by "The Wolf Of All Streets," stems from the unwavering loyalty of XRP holders. > "XRP Army will smash-buy the ETF," stated Matt Hougan, emphasizing that the success of such an ETF would be driven by passionate buyers rather than the often bearish sentiment prevalent among some crypto experts. He noted that while the median opinion in the crypto industry might be skeptical of XRP, the "XRP Army is incredibly bullish and loves XRP."

The prediction follows significant developments in the regulatory landscape for XRP. The SEC recently dropped its appeal in the case against Ripple, effectively ending a five-year legal dispute that had clouded XRP's status. This regulatory clarity has paved the way for numerous asset managers, including Bitwise, Grayscale, and Franklin Templeton, to file applications for spot XRP ETFs, with over 20 filings currently pending before the SEC.

Hougan drew parallels to the success of Bitcoin ETFs, which attracted $107 billion in their first year despite initial skepticism, and the recent strong debut of a Solana ETF. He argues that ETFs thrive on identifiable buyer demand, and the "XRP Army" has consistently demonstrated this demand through years of regulatory uncertainty. Prediction markets currently show an 82% to 95% probability of an XRP ETF approval in 2025, further underscoring the market's anticipation for these products.