San Mateo, California, USA — Franklin Templeton has introduced the XRPZ ETF, marking a major expansion of regulated digital asset offerings by providing investors with transparent, exchange-traded exposure to XRP’s role in global payments and settlement.

Launch Overview

Franklin Templeton has formally rolled out the Franklin XRP ETF (XRPZ), a spot-based exchange-traded product designed to provide investors with exposure to XRP’s daily price movements through a regulated U.S. market structure. Listed on NYSE Arca, the ETF tracks the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate, New York Variant, giving investors a compliant way to access one of the most established blockchain tokens powering cross-border payment infrastructure.

The launch underscores Franklin Templeton’s push deeper into digital asset exchange-traded products (ETPs), expanding its lineup of regulated crypto investment vehicles. With the XRP Ledger (XRPL) serving as a foundational network for tokenization and global transfers, XRPZ offers a secure, professionally managed alternative to holding XRP directly, eliminating operational complexities tied to wallets, exchanges, or private key management.

As interest in institutional-grade digital asset solutions grows, the arrival of XRPZ positions Franklin Templeton among a select group of major asset managers providing regulated access to blockchain assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Key Launch Details

• Product Name: Franklin XRP ETF (XRPZ)
• Market: NYSE Arca
• Benchmark: CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate, New York Variant
• Structure: Grantor trust holding XRP
• Custodian: Coinbase Custody Trust Company, LLC
• Administrator / Transfer Agent / Cash Custodian: Bank of New York Mellon
• Trustee: CSC Delaware Trust Company
• Objective: Reflect XRP performance before fees and expenses
• Target Segment: U.S. and global investors seeking regulated exposure to XRP
• Investment Type: Exchange-traded product (not a direct XRP investment)
• Digital Asset Focus: Cross-border settlement, tokenization, real-time payments
• Part of ETF Family: Bitcoin (EZBC), Ethereum (EZET), Crypto Index (EZPZ)

Why This Launch Matters

The launch of XRPZ arrives at a crucial moment in the evolution of digital assets, where investors increasingly seek diversified exposure to blockchain networks beyond Bitcoin. XRPL, launched in 2012, is one of the longest-running decentralized blockchains, designed specifically for high-speed, low-cost cross-border value transfer.

With thousands of transactions per second and minimal energy usage, XRPL has become a core component of real-time settlement infrastructure used by financial institutions and payment providers. The ability to invest in XRP through a regulated ETF addresses a growing need among institutions, RIAs, and sophisticated market participants who prefer custodial oversight, NAV-based transparency, and ETF-level governance rather than direct token management.

The ETF’s positioning as a regulated, transparent, and custody-backed vehicle aligns closely with the increasing institutionalization of digital assets, especially as compliance frameworks mature across the U.S. and global markets.

Product Features — Deep Dive

Regulated Exposure to XRP Price Movements

XRPZ mirrors XRP performance by tracking the CME CF reference rate, ensuring that price discovery is benchmarked through a recognized institutional standard rather than retail exchange volatility.

Professionally Managed Custody

Coinbase Custody Trust Company provides third-party, regulated custody services. This is essential for institutional allocators who require SOC-verified infrastructure, insurance coverage, and operational oversight.

Grantor Trust Structure

XRPZ is structured as a grantor trust, meaning each share represents a fractional interest in XRP held by the trust, with NAV calculated daily. Investors receive transparent exposure without assuming the responsibilities of wallet management.

Integration Into Franklin’s Digital Asset Suite

The ETF joins an expanding lineup of digital asset ETPs, reinforcing Franklin Templeton’s long-term commitment to blockchain-based financial instruments.

Transparency & Liquidity

Because shares trade on NYSE Arca, investors gain access to intra-day liquidity and transparency under the exchange’s regulated framework—an advantage unavailable to many retail crypto holders.

Executive Quotes

“The rapid growth of our ETF business reflects Franklin Templeton’s commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation,” said David Mann, Head of ETF Product and Capital Markets at Franklin Templeton. “XRPZ offers investors a convenient and regulated way to access a digital asset that plays a foundational role in global settlement infrastructure, through the transparency and oversight of an ETF.”

“Blockchain innovation is driving fast-growing businesses, and digital asset tokens like XRP serve as powerful incentive mechanisms that help bootstrap decentralized networks and align stakeholder interests,” added Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton. “Within a diversified digital portfolio, we view XRP as a foundational building block. XRPZ provides regulated custody, daily transparency and liquidity without the operational complexity of holding the token directly.”

Industry Impact

The introduction of XRPZ strengthens the emerging segment of regulated digital asset ETPs that capture the utility layer of blockchain networks. While Bitcoin ETFs opened the door for mainstream digital asset access, XRP-based products give investors exposure to networks engineered specifically for payments, settlement, and tokenized value transfers.

This move:

• broadens institutional crypto diversification
• accelerates the adoption of blockchain solutions for cross-border transfer
• reinforces a shift toward utility-driven token frameworks
• highlights the maturing relationship between traditional finance and decentralized infrastructure

More asset managers may follow with token-specific ETFs as market demand expands.

Market Context

A Ledger Built for Global Value Transfer

XRPL has nearly 13 years of operational history supporting banks, fintechs, and cross-border payment providers. Its federated consensus model, high throughput, low fees, and minimal energy consumption position it as a practical alternative to legacy settlement rails.

Growing Demand for Non-Bitcoin Exposure

As digital asset markets diversify, institutional allocators increasingly seek exposure to blockchain networks with real-world use cases—payments, remittances, tokenization, and enterprise liquidity flows.

Regulatory Clarity Accelerating ETF Momentum

The industry continues to evolve under U.S. regulatory scrutiny. The availability of XRPZ under a regulated framework helps mitigate operational concerns tied to exchange risks and custody vulnerabilities.

What Comes Next

XRPZ expands Franklin Templeton’s digital asset ETP roadmap, adding another building block to a growing suite of blockchain-aligned investment products. As tokenization, cross-border settlement, and real-time payments continue gaining traction, ETFs like XRPZ will likely serve as bridges between institutional capital and decentralized networks.

Investors seeking diversified digital asset strategies may increasingly adopt regulated ETPs as entry points, particularly those focused on foundational blockchain infrastructure rather than speculative assets.

Franklin Templeton’s continued iteration across this segment signals long-term conviction in the digital asset ecosystem.