$1.6 Trillion Asset Manager Goes Deep Into XRP, Shares Reason Behind The Move

[Ben Graham]

A major institutional player in global finance has made its position on XRP clear, placing the cryptocurrency at the center of its digital asset strategy. Franklin Templeton, an asset management firm handling over $1.6 trillion worth of assets, used a recent post on the social media platform X to explain why it is going deep into XRP as an asset, while also drawing attention to its Spot exchange-traded product, XRPZ. This interesting comment is part of a growing institutional confidence in XRP and the XRP Ledger.

Franklin Templeton’s Strategic Entry With A Spot XRP ETF

Franklin Templeton’s arrival in the XRP ETF space is one of the most significant endorsements of the token from a legacy financial institution. The firm launched the Franklin XRP Trust, trading under ticker XRPZ on the NYSE Arca in late November, offering investors regulated exposure to the digital asset without the operational complexity of holding the token directly. 

The fund is structured as a grantor trust that holds XRP and calculates its net asset value daily based on established reference rates, with custody provided by Coinbase Custody Trust Company and administration by BNY Mellon. 

Recent comments from leading voices at the fund manager reveal that the decision to launch a Spot XRP ETF is due to their strong belief in XRP and the XRP Ledger. Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton, highlighted the XRP Ledger’s designed capability for real-time, low-cost settlement and efficient cross-border payments. 

Furthermore, he noted that the altcoin’s market capitalization and role in global value transfer make it an important component worth regulated exposure for investors with a broad portfolio. The firm’s broader digital asset suite already includes Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, and XRP was the latest to join this year.

Franklin Templeton traces its roots back to 1947 and has built a reputation of trillions in equity, fixed income, and multi-asset investments in markets all around the world. Its move into crypto ETFs, now encompassing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP exposure, is part of many established asset managers now actively engaging in the crypto industry.

Performance And Market Reception Of XRPZ Since Launch

Several issuers received clearance for Spot XRP ETFs in 2025, making it possible for institutions and everyday investors to gain exposure to the cryptocurrencies through regulated means. Since their debut in November, the Spot ETFs, including XRPZ, have attracted meaningful capital flows.

Collectively, these products have drawn more than $1.16 billion in net inflows, maintaining consecutive days of inflows that stand in contrast to recent days of outflows in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs. Franklin Templeton’s XRPZ itself has grown its holdings past 100 million XRP, with a cumulative inflow of about $242 million at the time of writing.