The SEC must rule on pending XRP ETF applications from Grayscale and Franklin Templeton by March 27 as the broader crypto market sheds $80 billion.
March 27 marks the SEC's final deadline to approve or deny the latest batch of XRP spot ETF applications, a decision that arrives during one of the most turbulent weeks for crypto markets in 2026.
The SEC faces a 240-day statutory deadline today to rule on pending XRP spot ETF filings from Grayscale and Franklin Templeton. WisdomTree withdrew its application in January, leaving two major filings under review. The decision comes just ten days after the SEC and CFTC jointly classified XRP as a digital commodity on March 17, placing it under CFTC oversight alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, and 13 other assets.
Seven XRP spot ETFs are already live following earlier approvals, attracting $1.44 billion in cumulative inflows since launch. The remaining filings would expand investor access through two of the largest asset managers in the world.
Meanwhile, the broader market is selling off sharply. Bitcoin fell 3.4% to $68,878, slipping below $69,000 for the first time in several sessions. Ethereum dropped 4.45% to $2,070, while Solana declined 3.3% to $85.78. The total crypto market cap fell to $2.43 trillion, with the Fear & Greed Index sitting at 29, firmly in "Fear" territory.
The SEC's commodity classification on March 17 removed the primary legal barrier to XRP ETF approvals. With XRP no longer classified as a security, the agency has limited grounds to reject the pending applications. Analysts widely expect approval, which would bring major institutional brand names into the XRP ETF space.
The timing creates an interesting dynamic. Bitcoin ETFs recorded approximately $2.5 billion in net inflows during March, reversing four consecutive months of outflows. A wave of new XRP ETF approvals could redirect some of that institutional capital toward Ripple's token.
Morgan Stanley is also building out crypto infrastructure, planning to launch retail spot trading through E*Trade in the first half of 2026, starting with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. This institutional buildout suggests the market correction may be a buying opportunity rather than a structural decline.
The SEC is expected to announce its decision by end of day March 27. An approval would likely trigger short-term price action for XRP, which has held relatively steady near $1.39 despite the broader selloff. Denial remains unlikely given the commodity classification but would signal deeper regulatory friction ahead. Beyond XRP, market participants are watching Bitcoin's ability to hold the $68,000 support level, with the 200-day moving average at $69,200 serving as a key technical marker.
This is a breaking story. The SEC's XRP ETF ruling today could set the tone for altcoin ETF products through the rest of 2026, while the broader market sell-off tests investor conviction at critical support levels.
XRP surpasses BNB in market cap as ETF inflows hit $1.18B cumulative total and exchange supply drops to 8-year low.
XRP spot ETFs posted $45M in weekly inflows while Bitcoin and Ethereum funds faced massive outflows, as the Fear & Greed Index hit its lowest since the FTX collapse.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP investment products saw $1.73 billion in withdrawals last week, marking the largest exodus since mid-November 2025.
Disclaimer: News content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Market conditions can change rapidly. Always conduct your own research.
