Key Takeaways
- Renewed Blackrock ETF speculation has strengthened the bullish narrative surrounding XRP.
- Broader adoption and settlement use cases could require a substantially higher XRP price.
- Institutional infrastructure developments remain a closely watched catalyst for market participants.
XRP Adoption Narrative Expands Beyond ETF Speculation
Speculation surrounding a potential Blackrock XRP ETF has resurfaced after Jake Claver, chairman of Digital Ascension Group, suggested the asset manager could eventually launch such a product. His comments also pointed to broader XRPL adoption and institutional discussion around digital asset infrastructure as factors supporting XRP’s outlook.
The comments came during a June 15 interview with Deep Dive Podcast host Rachel Wolfson. Claver also founded Digital Wealth Partners, manages Syndicately’s SPV investment platform, and works with high and ultra-high net worth families navigating digital asset investments.
Emphasizing his bullishness on XRP, he predicted:
“I think that we could see a Blackrock ETF.”
The ETF remark was only one part of his broader XRP thesis. Claver tied that view to XRPL adoption, tokenization, and institutional settlement infrastructure. His comments framed XRP as a candidate for deeper use in financial markets, not only as an asset that could benefit from a new investment product.
Settlement infrastructure added urgency to the forecast. Claver said the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) and the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) were preparing initiatives related to real-time settlement for June 28.
The executive argued that wider institutional use of XRP could require a significantly higher price before the asset is used in that capacity.
Prior Blackrock XRP ETF Speculation Provides Background for Claver’s Comments
The remarks follow earlier market discussion involving Blackrock and a potential XRP ETF. Nate Geraci, president of Novadius Wealth Management and co-founder of The ETF Institute, previously said he expected Blackrock to file for a spot XRP ETF, arguing that the asset manager would eventually expand beyond bitcoin and ether products.
That speculation later met a direct clarification. Blackrock said it had no plans to file for an XRP ETF at the time, even as traders continued to monitor approval odds and developments across the broader spot crypto ETF market.
Claver asserted that if XRP is ultimately used for the type of institutional settlement activity he described, its market value may need to rise substantially first. He concluded on June 15:
“Within the next couple of weeks, I think that we may need to see a significantly higher price for XRP in order for them to actually start using it in that capacity.”
Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, currently offers the Ishares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) and the Ishares Ethereum Trust (ETHA), giving it exposure to the two largest cryptocurrencies through spot ETF products.
