BlackRock XRP ETF Speculation Reignites as Criteria Match

Crypto ETF speculation around XRP picked up again after BlackRock executives commented on how the firm is evaluating future spot-crypto ETF opportunities. BlackRock has launched spot Bitcoin (IBIT) and spot Ethereum (and a staked Ethereum product, ETHB), but it has not filed for a spot XRP ETF. In remarks to CNBC Crypto World, Robert Mitchnick, Head of Digital Assets at BlackRock, said the firm is not rushing into new crypto ETFs. He emphasized that Bitcoin and Ethereum still hold the overwhelming share of investor interest, while BlackRock reviews other assets as liquidity, market maturity, scale, and real-world use cases develop. The evaluation is also framed as “discerning,” focusing on whether an asset fits an iShares ETF template. The article argues XRP may already meet several of those requirements: deep global liquidity, a large market cap, and a payments/settlement and tokenization narrative. It also notes that XRP-based spot ETFs already exist in the US from firms including Canary, Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and 21Shares—reducing regulatory/market barriers. A key expectation cited comes from Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg, who suggested BlackRock could file for a spot XRP ETF by late 2026 or 2027, but only if XRP net inflows rise above $3 billion—about three times the current level. For traders, the immediate takeaway is that XRP ETF odds are improving on “fit and criteria” rather than on any confirmed filing. Any market reaction will likely hinge on follow-through in net inflows and broader ETF/flows sentiment toward altcoins.