Could XRP ETF Approval Be Near? Ripple To Meet SEC Chair Paul Atkins On May 2

As positive shifts in cryptocurrency regulation unfold under President Donald Trump’s second administration, speculation is mounting regarding the potential approval of spot XRP ETF applications. 

This anticipation is fueled by significant changes at the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), particularly the appointment of Paul Atkins as the new chair. Known for his pro-crypto stance, Atkins represents a departure from the stringent regulatory environment established by former chair Gary Gensler.

Speculation Rises Around XRP ETF Applications

The timing of a possible XRP ETF approval is further ignited by reports of a potential meeting between Ripple Labs’ executive chairman and co-founder Chris Larsen and SEC Chair Paul Atkins. Such discussions could pave the way for expedited decisions on XRP ETF applications. 

Earlier this week, Bitcoinist highlighted that the SEC has set a new deadline of June 17, 2025, for either approving or disapproving the XRP ETF application submitted by asset manager Franklin Templeton or initiating further proceedings to assess the proposal.

Bloomberg ETF expert James Seyffart has indicated that while the June deadline is crucial, market participants should prepare for a series of decisions expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. 

However, Bloomberg’s ETF expert specifically pointed to mid-October—around the 18th of this year—as a pivotal date for a potential spot XRP ETF decision by the regulatory body.

Ripple Labs Sees Renewed Hope 

Adding to the excitement, crypto investor Steph Is Crypto recently shared on social media site X (formerly Twitter), that insiders suggest the meeting between Larsen and Atkins, reportedly scheduled for May 2, could bring the approval of XRP ETF applications closer to reality. However, as of Thursday, no official confirmation or statements have been released by either party, leaving this scenario uncertain.

The ongoing speculation for XRP ETF applications come amid a more favorable environment for Ripple Labs, which has long advocated for regulatory changes in the US. 

The previous administration faced criticism for its enforcement actions and lawsuits targeting major players in the crypto sector, including Ripple Labs itself. 

Since Gensler’s resignation on January 20, 2025, several lawsuits against prominent companies like Coinbase, Robinhood, Uniswap Labs, and Kraken have been dropped, further easing regulatory pressures.

This renewed optimism not only fuels hopes for XRP ETF approval but also raises expectations for other crypto ETFs, including those for Litecoin (LTC), Solana (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Cardano (ADA), which may also receive approvals later this year. 

At the time of writing, XRP, currently the fifth largest cryptocurrency on the market in terms of capitalization, is trading at $2.21, up 8% in fourteen days amid renewed optimism in the market after a challenging few months.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com