Ripple CEO to XRP Holders: It’s Finally Happening

When the Ripple CEO or other insiders start talking about institutional access, it’s a clear sign of potential big changes ahead. That is precisely what has unfolded for the XRP community. With soaring early demand for the newly launched spot ETF, the transition from anticipation to execution has arrived.

Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple Labs, tweeted a succinct message: “It’s (finally!) happening.” His post illuminated the significance of what many in the XRP ecosystem have been working toward. Garlinghouse’s declaration came in direct response to the impressive opening-minute numbers posted by the ETF.

Launch Numbers That Turn Heads

Market watchers kept a sharp eye on XRPC — the first U.S.-listed spot XRP ETF launched by Canary Capital. According to senior analyst Eric Balchunas at Bloomberg, XRPC logged about $26 million in trading volume within its first 30 minutes.

That figure significantly surpassed his earlier $17 million full-day estimate. By the end of the day, volume grew to around $58 million, making it the highest-debuting crypto ETF of 2025.

Institutional Demand vs Price Response

Despite the strong debut, on-chain and market data revealed a more nuanced reality. Some reports note net inflows into XRPC exceeding $240 million once in-kind creations are included — sums that exceed visible trading volume.

Meanwhile, XRP’s spot price experienced a pullback — slipping ~2–3% in the hours following the ETF launch. Analysts used the term “sell the news” to describe the dynamic. The contrast between the huge demand for the ETF and a modest price reaction underscores a key point: entry vehicles are evolving faster than price dynamics.

What This Means for XRP Holders and Institutions

For holders of XRP, the arrival of a regulated, on-ramp vehicle matters in several ways. First, institutional access becomes more viable and streamlined. Second, supply in liquid secondary markets may compress if significant volumes shift into ETF wrappers.

For institutions, XRPC offers a familiar structure to gain exposure to XRP without taking on direct token custody. That could accelerate asset-allocation flows in ways the market hasn’t fully internalized yet.

Looking Ahead

Despite the blockbuster debut, several questions remain. Will trading volumes sustain or fade after the initial burst? Can XRPC maintain momentum beyond day one and translate flows into durable price appreciation?

Key indicators to follow include creation-redemption activity in the ETF, secondary-market bid-ask spreads for XRP, and whether inflows remain robust amid macro headwinds. The broader market context — including regulatory clarity and macro sentiment — will also shape how this debut evolves.

In signaling “It’s (finally!) happening,” the Ripple CEO captured a milestone for the XRP community. The debut of XRPC marks not just the launch of a product, but a tangible step toward mainstreaming XRP’s access. For now, the spotlight is on how well the early promise is converted into lasting demand and structural change.