iShares XRP Trust: Decoding BlackRock’s ETF Hoax and Its Impact on SEC’s Bitcoin ETF Decision

The recent surge in XRP’s price due to a fake BlackRock XRP trust filing has raised questions about its potential impact on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) decision on spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While industry observers agree that the incident may not directly affect the SEC’s decision, they acknowledge its negative implications.

The XRP Filing Incident:

On November 13, a filing on the Delaware list of corporations website indicated that BlackRock was creating the “iShares XRP Trust,” hinting at a possible XRP-based ETF. This news caused XRP’s price to spike by 12.3% in just 30 minutes before plummeting once the filing was exposed as a hoax. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas confirmed the deception, revealing that the filing was made by someone impersonating BlackRock’s managing director.

Industry Expert Perspectives:

Bloomberg’s Analysis: Balchunas believes that while the XRP incident is unlikely to impact spot Bitcoin ETFs directly, it may validate the SEC’s concerns about fraud and manipulation in the crypto market. He acknowledges that it’s a “bad look” for the industry.

Legal Expert’s Opinion: Michael Bacina, a partner at Piper Alderman, expresses skepticism about the SEC using this incident to further delay ETF applications. He suggests that isolated rumors are unlikely to provide a legal basis for such delays.

CEO’s Perspective: Lucas Kiely, CEO of Yield App, emphasizes that the fake XRP filing is unlikely to influence the SEC’s decision on Bitcoin ETFs. He urges the crypto community to remain calm and sees the incident as a mild amusement for BlackRock.

Potential Impact on ETF Efforts:

James Edwards, a crypto analyst at Finder, argues that events like the XRP filing could undermine efforts to launch a Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. The SEC has previously rejected spot Bitcoin ETFs, citing concerns about protecting investors from fraudulent and manipulative acts.

Regulatory Landscape and BlackRock’s Other ETF Filings:

The SEC has rejected multiple spot Bitcoin ETFs in the past due to concerns about market manipulation. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, filed for a spot Ether ETF on November 9 and is awaiting regulator approval for both its spot Bitcoin ETF and spot Ether ETF filed in June.

Lessons Learned and Investor Caution:

The fake XRP trust filing is set to be referred to the Delaware Department of Justice for further investigation. Legal expert Jeremy Hogan warns investors about the deceptive nature of such episodes and emphasizes the need for caution and skepticism in the crypto world.

The BlackRock XRP ETF hoax serves as a reminder for investors and enthusiasts to remain vigilant in the face of unverified news in the crypto space. While the incident may not directly impact the SEC’s decision on Bitcoin ETFs, it highlights the challenges of navigating a fast-paced digital market where misinformation can have a significant impact on asset values. Investors are urged to conduct thorough research and exercise caution to distinguish fact from fiction in the crypto world.