XRP has made a historic leap into mainstream finance by joining the Nasdaq-listed Hashdex Crypto Index US ETF, following the recent approval by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This decision marks a pivotal moment for cryptocurrency investment in the United States, as it represents one of the first times XRP and several other altcoins have been formally included in a publicly traded ETF on a major U.S. exchange.

For years, U.S. regulators maintained a cautious approach to cryptocurrency products, largely limiting ETF offerings to Bitcoin and Ethereum. The new regulatory framework, however, reflects growing comfort with diversified crypto portfolios and a recognition of the maturing digital asset market. The SEC’s latest approval allows the Hashdex Nasdaq Crypto Index US ETF (trading under the symbol NCIQ) to add XRP, Solana (SOL), and Stellar (XLM) alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum, moving beyond the top two cryptocurrencies for the first time.

This broader inclusion results from recently adopted generic listing standards, simplifying the approval process for new ETFs. Under these new rules, asset managers no longer need to undergo prolonged, case-by-case reviews, dramatically reducing the time required to launch new multi-asset crypto funds on major exchanges like Nasdaq. ETF issuers are responding quickly, with several new crypto ETFs—tracking assets such as SOL and XRP—expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2025.

As of late September, XRP comprises 7.11% of the Hashdex ETF portfolio, ranking as the fund’s third-largest holding after Bitcoin and Ethereum. The addition of XRP opens the door for investors who want regulated, reliable exposure to this digital asset without the challenges of managing private wallets or complex asset custody.

The impact of these regulatory shifts is profound. Institutional and retail investors now have more options for gaining exposure to a range of top digital currencies through established brokerage accounts. Meanwhile, major asset managers are moving swiftly to capitalize on the new rules, with several high-profile firms awaiting decisions on their own spot XRP ETF applications.

This surge in ETF launches not only signals a major step forward for XRP but also represents a broader evolution in the integration of digital assets within traditional financial markets. The inclusion of XRP in a Nasdaq-listed ETF highlights the growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies as legitimate components of diversified investment portfolios and hints at an accelerating wave of crypto adoption across Wall Street.