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.