XRP Targets Bullish Wave 5 as SEC Clears Path for Altcoin ETFs

XRP is gearing up for a bullish Elliott Wave 5 breakout, which typically follows a period of consolidation as the SEC's new listing standards open the door for XRP and altcoin ETFs.

XRP Targets Bullish Wave 5 as SEC Clears Path for Altcoin ETFs. Source: Shutterstock
Source: Shutterstock

Is the Elliot Wave Playing Out in the XRP Ecosystem?

According to market analyst CryptoOG, “XRP's 4Hr chart is painting an Elliott Wave sequence, finishing Wave 4 and hinting at a move into the final Wave 5.”

Source: CryptoOG
Source: CryptoOG

The analyst pointed out that Wave 1 launched from the sub $2 range with strong momentum while Wave 2 followed with a healthy correction, preserving the bullish structure. Wave 3 then surged to nearly $3.70, confirming the uptrend.

Presently, Wave 4 is consolidating into a potential bull flag, setting the stage for Wave 5, which targets $3.67–$3.70 based on the 1.618 Fibonacci extension.

CryptoOG added, “With bullish momentum intact and corrections staying orderly, this chart structure aligns with Elliott Wave theory forecasting a final push in Wave 5. Volume confirmation is key on breakout above $3.20.”

At the time of this writing, XRP was hovering around the $3.10 zone, according to CoinGecko data

Why is Elliot Wave 5 considered bullish? Well, this is because it marks the final leg of a five-wave impulse, resuming the larger uptrend after Wave 4's correction and often signaling strong market momentum.

Notably, Wave 5 is often driven by retail enthusiasm and rising market confidence, reflecting optimism or euphoria. It can be sharp and emotional, especially if Wave 3 lacked extension.

SEC Paves the Way for XRP and Altcoin ETFs with New Listing Standards

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken a major leap toward mainstreaming altcoin-based exchange‑traded products (ETPs) by unveiling standardized “Listing Standards” via a new exchange filing. 

Under the ruling, any digital asset with at least six months of futures trading on Coinbase’s derivatives exchange becomes automatically eligible for listing. Assets such as XRP, Solana, Cardano, Avalanche, and others that meet the criteria may now clear the regulatory path without requiring individual SEC approval petitions.

What Changed—and Why It Matters

Previously, each crypto ETP required an exchange-filed 19(b)(4) rule‑change petition, stretching approval timelines up to 240 days. The new framework obviates that process for qualifying tokens, cutting review windows to around 75 days under the generic listing process.

SEC Chair Paul Atkins confirmed that the Commission’s July 29 vote also permits in‑kind creations and redemptions for Bitcoin and Ether ETPs—aligning crypto ETF mechanics with traditional commodity ETP structures to enhance efficiency and reduce cost.

Eligible Tokens & Timeline

Industry observers estimate about a dozen major tokens now qualify, including XRP and Solana, which have consistently been viewed as front‑runners. Analysts like Eric Balchunas place the odds of approval at around 95% for these assets under the new regime.

The consensus forecast targets September or October 2025 as the likely window for launches of multiple altcoin ETFs. Notably, Solana-based ETPs are expected to clear by October 10, once their six‑month futures threshold is reached, with XRP approvals to follow shortly thereafter.

Broader Implications

This regulatory shift is widely viewed as the next major turning point in U.S. crypto financialization. By reducing friction and creating a “one‑and‑done” listing process, the SEC may significantly expand institutional adoption. In‑kind redemption mechanisms ease arbitrage and liquidity burdens, making crypto ETPs more cost‑effective and competitive with legacy commodity products.

Conclusion

With these developments, the SEC’s new paradigm anchored in objective futures‑based criteria marks a foundational shift in crypto ETF policy. 

It signals the likely arrival of regulated XRP, Solana, and other altcoin ETFs by fall 2025, establishing a more transparent and scalable path for digital asset investing.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether XRP’s Wave 5 will materialize since this will usher in a new bullish phase.