Bitwise Says XRP Will Transform Global Payments as BITW ETF Adds It as Core Holding

• XRP becomes the third-largest holding in the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF.
• Bitwise says XRP’s growth in ETFs is indicative of the growing adoption.

Bitwise Asset Management has spotlighted XRP as a rising force in global payments, noting its expanding presence across institutional portfolios and regulated crypto ETFs. In a Tuesday update, the firm said XRP carries “the potential to reshape how value moves worldwide. “

Bitwise confirmed that XRP now holds a top position within its Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF, marking a notable rise in its institutional profile. The fund, which screens assets based on market size, liquidity, custody readiness, and regulatory compatibility, added XRP as a core component during its latest rebalance. The placement comes as the token moves into the index’s upper tier.

XRP Rises Within One of the Most Watched Crypto ETFs

XRP recently advanced to the third-largest position in the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index ETF, securing 5.17% of the fund’s reported $1.25 billion in assets as of Dec. 9. The index, which applies liquidity, custody, regulatory, and technical screens, updates positions monthly. 

The momentum is even more visible in Bitwise’s spot XRP ETF, which launched on Nov. 20 and has posted inflows every trading day since. Total assets are approaching $200 million, supported by an estimated 100 million of the token in the fund’s holdings. The uninterrupted flows point to growing confidence in its regulatory clarity and its emerging role in multi-asset portfolio construction.

Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg said early indicators of demand motivated his firm to roll out the first dedicated XRP ETF. Moreover, he linked the rising interest to Ripple’s introduction of RLUSD, a stablecoin he expects to gain traction among institutional users. He argued that the alignment of both products reflects deeper engagement with Ripple’s broader ecosystem.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse added that inflows show investors have been waiting for regulated access. He also pointed to community participation as an additional source of strength for the asset. Across all XRP-linked ETFs, inflows are now less than $60 million away from the $1 billion threshold, putting XRP on pace to become the fastest-growing spot crypto ETF category since Ethereum ETFs launched in 2024.

Analysts Revisit Historic Patterns

Market observers are watching XRP’s technical structure closely after new analysis revealed an almost identical pattern to the consolidation phase that preceded its 7,452% rally in 2017. Analyst Diana shared a comparative chart showing matching wave formations, narrowing ranges, and a similar buildup of pressure that once triggered a rapid upside move.

Analyst Chad Steingraber said XRP may be entering a faster-than-expected repricing window. He estimated a move from $2 to $10 within a year if current inflow levels hold. Steingraber cited Bitcoin’s post-ETF performance as a reference, noting BTC doubled within two years of gaining U.S. approval. XRP is trading at $2.08 as of this writing.