Yesterday, September 18, marked a historic day for the crypto world: XRP (from Ripple) and Dogecoin officially entered the U.S. markets through ETFs. This development represents an important step toward broader adoption of crypto by institutional investors and the general public.

What exactly happened?

Asset managers REX Shares and Osprey Funds launched the first U.S. ETFs for XRP and Dogecoin. The XRP ETF trades under the ticker XRPR, while the Dogecoin version is listed as DOJE. Although these funds are announced as “spot ETFs,” their setup differs slightly from the spot ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum.

An important detail: not all of the assets in these new funds are invested directly in XRP or DOGE. Roughly 80% consists of direct exposure, while the remainder comes from indirect instruments such as foreign ETFs and possibly futures.

Why is this important?

Institutional access: For many institutional parties, ETFs are a familiar instrument. By making XRP and Dogecoin available through regulated ETFs, barriers that previously existed with direct crypto ownership are reduced.
Regulatory path and speed: Because the structure of these new funds is partly indirect (via subsidiaries or foreign ETFs) and uses smart legal setups, the approval process was faster than for other spot products.
Impact on futures and derivatives: The derivatives market is also responding: starting October 13, CME Group will list options on XRP and Solana futures. This provides investors with more tools to manage their risks.

Possible impact on crypto prices

Although the launch of these ETFs is a positive step, it does not automatically mean that XRP and DOGE prices will immediately surge. A few considerations:

Market prices can react to news, but the effect often depends on how much capital actually flows into these funds.

The structure of the ETF product (with indirect exposure) may cause delays in how effectively this capital impacts the underlying coin prices.

Expectations matter: investors will be watching upcoming regulatory decisions, institutional reactions, and whether more spot ETFs are approved.

What does this mean for you as a user?

For those active in crypto, this news could present opportunities. ETFs can offer a less technical way to gain exposure to XRP or Dogecoin through existing brokers, and they may increase trust and reliability as regulated products come into play. On the other hand: volatility remains, and anyone wishing to trade crypto directly should still pay attention to the fund structure and the associated risks.

Conclusion

The introduction of XRP and Dogecoin ETFs on Wall Street is an important step toward broader adoption. It shows that crypto is becoming increasingly integrated into traditional financial markets. Whether this immediately results in major price jumps is not guaranteed, but the foundations for both institutional and retail investors look stronger than ever.

Disclaimer: this article is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Always do your own research before investing.