21Shares Sparks 20-Day Countdown with New Filing for Spot XRP ETF

**21RP ETF Filing Sets 20-Day Clock: Could XRP Spot ETF Get U.S. Approval?**

The XRP community woke up to significant news this week: 21Shares’ 21RP exchange-traded fund (ETF) filing, a seemingly small legal step that could have an outsized impact on how altcoins reach U.S. investors. What may look like mere paperwork could actually be the final trigger in a long-running race between regulators, issuers, and crypto markets.

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### A Closer Look at the Filing: What Section 8(a) Actually Does

When a company submits an 8(a) amendment, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) begins a 20-day clock. During this period, the SEC can comment, delay, or take no action. If the agency remains silent, the registration automatically becomes effective.

This filing matters because it shortens the waiting game. Instead of enduring another open-ended review, 21Shares is forcing a timeline. The company had initially filed for a spot XRP ETF earlier this year, but the submission lingered while the SEC focused primarily on Bitcoin and Ethereum products.

This new amendment boldly signals to regulators: *“We’re ready — your move.”*

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### A Tactical Decision

Analysts believe the timing wasn’t random. The filing landed on November 7, just days after renewed optimism around altcoin-based ETFs. With Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs having already cleared the path, various asset managers are now testing whether that precedent can extend to other tokens like XRP.

If the SEC lets the 8(a) clock expire without action, the 21RP ETF’s legal status would be finalized automatically—even though the token’s regulatory status is still being litigated in court.

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### Ripple Effects in the Market

#### XRP’s Instant Reaction

Traders didn’t waste any time reacting. Within an hour of the filing hitting the SEC database, XRP surged nearly 5%, jumping from around $2.20 to $2.32. Trading volumes spiked on major exchanges including Binance, Coinbase, and Bybit as speculators piled in. Derivatives desks also saw a boost in new long positions, signaling that the market views this filing as more than just procedural.

Some analysts have called this a “signal flare” moment for XRP—a clear indication that institutional finance is warming up to the token despite years of skepticism.

#### Investor Sentiment Turns Cautiously Optimistic

The shift in sentiment goes beyond just price movements. For years, XRP has occupied a unique middle ground: large enough to matter but too controversial for many institutional investors to touch. The 21RP ETF joins a broader trend of positioning crypto assets less as speculative tools and more as infrastructure—tokens that power payments and liquidity systems.

If this narrative holds, the ETF could attract interest from traders who previously dismissed XRP as a relic of early crypto days.

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### Broader ETF Landscape: Where 21Shares Fits In

The Swiss-based firm 21Shares is no newcomer to this race, already managing a range of European crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) and partnering with ARK Invest on multiple U.S. applications. Filing under Section 8(a) demonstrates their willingness to aggressively test U.S. regulatory rules—even at the risk of rejection.

Competitors are watching closely. Industry players like Franklin Templeton and Grayscale have hinted at their own XRP-related ETF strategies. Should 21Shares clear the path first, it could set the blueprint for how future altcoin ETFs are structured—from custody solutions to redemption models.

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### Potential Custodians and Market Depth

While the filing does not specify a custodian, insiders suggest Coinbase Custody or Anchorage Digital as likely candidates. Both providers are already approved custodians for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

Liquidity is unlikely to be a concern. XRP frequently ranks among the top five most-traded cryptocurrencies by daily volume, often surpassing $2 billion. However, ETF success depends on more than liquidity—it hinges on how seamlessly authorized participants can create and redeem shares, and whether investors trust the fund’s transparency once trading begins.

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### Unanswered Questions: Will the SEC Intervene?

The big unknown remains the SEC’s response. The agency can pause the 20-day countdown with a single letter requesting revisions—a move it has employed before with Bitcoin ETF applications.

However, if the SEC remains silent and lets the clock expire, the XRP ETF could become effective by procedural default. This outcome would shake up regulatory precedent and challenge the prevailing assumption that only Bitcoin and Ethereum deserve “spot” ETF treatment.

Some view this as a bold stress test of regulatory boundaries. Others see it as a strategic maneuver to push the crypto ETF conversation forward, even if immediate approval isn’t granted.

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### What’s Next?

Regardless of the outcome, the coming weeks may prove pivotal for XRP, potentially marking its transition from a long-debated digital token to a regulated, exchange-traded asset available for institutional investors.

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#### Key Takeaways

– 21RP ETF filing triggers a 20-day SEC clock.
– If the SEC does not act, the ETF could become effective around November 27, 2025.
– XRP surged nearly 5% immediately after the filing amid speculation of U.S. approval.
– The filing signals 21Shares’ aggressive approach to U.S. crypto regulations.
– Success could pave the way for more altcoin ETFs beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.
– The market reaction shows growing institutional interest in XRP.
– The SEC’s next move remains uncertain, with the filing serving as a potential regulatory test case.

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*Stay tuned for updates as this historic ETF application unfolds and reshapes the crypto investment landscape.*
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/21shares-sparks-20-day-countdown-with-new-filing-for-spot-xrp-etf-2/