XRP is making waves on Wall Street following the successful launch of futures contracts on the CME Group. Since debuting on May 19, both standard and Micro XRP futures have seen robust interest from institutional players and retail traders alike, cementing XRP’s place in the evolving crypto derivatives market.
According to CME’s latest report, XRP futures hit $19.3 million in trading volume on launch day alone, with participation from 15 institutional firms and four retail trading platforms. This strong debut underscores the growing appetite for regulated XRP products.
Since launching on May 19, XRP and Micro XRP futures have shown demand across institutional and retail participants, highlighting interest in regulated tools to access one of the most watched crypto assets.
— CME Group (@CMEGroup) June 24, 2025
Get the full breakdown ➡️ https://t.co/nmVRaXqUTO pic.twitter.com/JZG2Bnnjll
Open Interest Surpasses $70 Million as Global Demand Grows
CME’s XRP futures have since recorded over $542 million in cumulative trading volume, with 45% of activity originating outside North America. The growing global presence reflects XRP’s appeal as a cross-border digital asset.
As of June 24, open interest in XRP futures stood at $70.5 million, signaling rising confidence among market participants. The futures contracts come in two sizes: the standard contract for 50,000 XRP and a Micro contract for 2,500 XRP. Both are cash-settled and track the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate, offering flexible exposure to XRP’s price movements.
Spot XRP ETF on the Horizon? Regulatory Clarity Is Key
The futures launch could mark a pivotal step toward a U.S.-approved spot XRP ETF. The SEC has historically required a regulated futures market as a precondition for approving spot ETFs—as seen with Bitcoin and Ethereum. With CME XRP futures now live under CFTC oversight, analysts believe this satisfies that requirement.
XRP is now seen as a top contender for the next wave of spot crypto ETFs, alongside Solana and Litecoin. Bloomberg ETF analysts give XRP a 95% chance of gaining ETF approval, citing the CME futures as a major regulatory milestone.
Since launching on May 19, XRP and Micro XRP futures have shown demand across institutional and retail participants, highlighting interest in regulated tools to access one of the most watched crypto assets.
— CME Group (@CMEGroup) June 24, 2025
Get the full breakdown ➡️ https://t.co/nmVRaXqUTO pic.twitter.com/JZG2Bnnjll
Ripple’s Strategic Moves Boost XRP’s Momentum
Behind XRP’s momentum is Ripple’s ongoing push to strengthen its ecosystem. The firm recently acquired prime brokerage firm Hidden Road for $1.25 billion and launched RLUSD, a new U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin designed to power DeFi activity and liquidity on the XRP Ledger.
Also Read: Is XRP at $2 the Next Bitcoin? 95% of Traders May Miss the Breakout, Say Analysts
These developments are helping position XRP as a more versatile and attractive asset for both institutional and decentralized finance use cases.
The launch of XRP futures on CME is not just a milestone for XRP—it’s a potential game-changer for the broader crypto market. As regulatory clarity improves and institutional interest surges, a spot XRP ETF seems increasingly likely.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses
I’m a crypto enthusiast with a background in finance. I’m fascinated by the potential of crypto to disrupt traditional financial systems. I’m always on the lookout for new and innovative projects in the space. I believe that crypto has the potential to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system.
