Top Business Executive Says XRP Shackles Are Finally Off

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says the regulatory shackles that once limited $XRP’s real-world adoption have finally been lifted, potentially opening the door to broader investor exposure.

He shared this view while explaining why Bitwise launched its spot $XRP ETF, noting that the token’s investment case now centers more on future optionality than past utility.

For years, regulatory pressure effectively stalled $XRP’s growth. Now that these constraints have eased, Bitwise believes investors deserve a simpler, regulated way to gain exposure as the asset enters a new phase.

Key Points

• Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan says the regulatory barriers that once blocked $XRP’s real-world adoption have now been removed.
• He describes $XRP as a “Lindy” asset, highlighting its durability and long-term staying power in the crypto market.
• With the legal uncertainty lifted, Hougan believes $XRP can now compete fairly with other blockchain projects.
• The Bitwise $XRP ETF has emerged as the second-largest $XRP ETF in the U.S., with net assets approaching $300 million.

$XRP as a Lindy Asset

In a recent interview with 51 Insights, Hougan explained that Bitwise’s decision to launch an $XRP ETF reflects both market demand and a shift in the asset’s outlook.

He described $XRP as a “Lindy asset,” emphasizing its resilience through prolonged uncertainty and its strong community support. Consequently, $XRP’s longevity has sustained investor interest in accessing the token through a regulated vehicle.

" $XRP The shackles are off. " 🔓

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan explains why they launched the $XRP ETFa must-watch clip from 51_Insights :

🔹 Lindy Asset: Proven longevity & a powerhouse community.

🔹 Regulatory Reset: With the SEC's "existential threat" removed, #$XRP can finally… pic.twitter.com/cfI27KyOLz

— 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸XRP (@BankXRP) January 30, 2026

Regulatory Shackles No Longer in Place for $XRP

Hougan stressed that $XRP’s limited real-world adoption stemmed less from technological shortcomings and more from legal uncertainty. The SEC lawsuit, he noted, discouraged institutions and developers from building within the ecosystem. As a result, meaningful partnerships remained unlikely under such pressure.

Now that the lawsuit has been resolved, Hougan believes $XRP can compete on equal footing with other blockchain networks. While this shift does not guarantee success for Ripple or $XRP, he emphasized that it removes the primary barrier that once constrained growth. Therefore, he argues the asset has become relevant again for investors evaluating new opportunities.

Bitwise’s Confidence in $XRP

Notably, Bitwise was the first asset manager to file for a U.S. spot $XRP ETF, submitting its application while the token still faced regulatory pressure. Less than a day later, the SEC appealed the court ruling, intensifying uncertainty around $XRP’s status.

Nonetheless, Bitwise remained committed and successfully launched the spot $XRP ETF toward the end of last year. Currently, the fund ranks as the second-largest $XRP ETF in the U.S., attracting cumulative inflows of $338.88 million and holding net assets of $292.75 million.

It trails only the Canary $XRP ETF, which manages net assets of $325.33 million. Overall, the U.S. spot $XRP ETF market has recorded a combined inflow of $1.18 billion, with total net assets reaching $1.19 billion.