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XRP is back in the spotlight as derivatives giant CME Group announces the launch of XRP futures. The highly anticipated product is set to go live on May 19, marking a new chapter in Ripple’s institutional journey. Investors are watching closely: what does this mean for XRP’s price?
XRP Futures set for official launch
CME’s decision to introduce XRP futures didn’t come out of nowhere. In April, the exchange confirmed its intent shortly after launching Solana futures. Early signs appeared via a test page on CME’s website, initially downplayed as a mock-up. Now, it’s clear the plans are real.
This isn’t the first regulated XRP futures product in the U.S. — Bitnomial launched theirs back in March. However, CME’s entry into the market puts XRP directly on the radar of major institutional players.
Gateway to spot-based XRP ETFs?
The launch of XRP futures isn’t just a win for traders. It could be a game-changer for the broader crypto investment ecosystem. CME introduced XRP pricing indices in July 2023, widely seen as the first step toward institutional-grade crypto products. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse confirmed at the time that this was a foundational move toward Wall Street adoption.
The timing couldn’t be more critical. Over a dozen applications for spot XRP ETFs are currently pending, with asset managers like Franklin Templeton and Bitwise leading the pack. Historically, a mature futures market has been a prerequisite for spot ETF approval in the U.S. The arrival of CME-backed XRP futures could be the final piece of the puzzle.
At the time of writing, XRP is trading around $2.56, according to CoinGecko. Analysts are already drawing comparisons to Bitcoin’s peak in 2017, which occurred shortly after the launch of CME’s Bitcoin futures. Whether XRP will follow a similar path remains to be seen, but all eyes are now on May 19.
