Bitwise has applied for an XRP ETF in the state of Delaware. An anonymous spokesperson has apparently confirmed that the application is genuine. 

An XRP ETF is just one of several ETF-related ventures Bitwise has started recently.

A Surprise Filing

Bitwise Asset Management has applied for an entity named Bitwise XRP ETF in the state of Delaware. According to the filing, publicly available on the Delaware Department of State website, Bitwise filed this ETF on September 30. The registered agent for this filing was CSC Delaware Trust Company, which provides compliance services for legal and corporate endeavors.

“Bitwise positioning to file for XRP ETF is highly noteworthy IMO. Bitwise is highly credible crypto-native fund firm that doesn’t just throw stuff at wall. That’s simply not in their DNA. This is strategic,” Nate Geraci, the President of the ETF store, said.

This agent’s website claims that Delaware is the preferred location for a variety of corporate filings due to its reputation for business-friendly tax and regulation. In fact, BlackRock filed its Ethereum ETF in Delaware less than one year ago. This location suggests Bitwise is making a genuine effort despite the difficulty of winning regulatory approval. 

Already, an anonymous spokesperson from Bitwise has confirmed that the filing is genuine. It will be difficult to predict how the SEC will react at this time, but it’s certainly a surprising development. 

The XRP ETF has its supporters, but generally, it is not viewed as the most likely cryptoasset to become the third US ETF. 

Still, this bold move is very in character for Bitwise. Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan made publicly bullish statements on new ETF approvals just two weeks ago, and Bitwise acquired a European crypto ETP issuer in August. 

A new project like this would fit right in. Ripple’s executives, too, are bullish that the SEC will eventually give an XRP ETF the green light.

“I think it’s just a matter of time, and it’s inevitable there’s gonna be an XRP ETF, there’s gonna be a Solana ETF, there’s gonna be a Cardano ETF, and that’s great,” Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated.

Source : BeInCrypto - Oct 2, 2024