Elon Musk&'s enigmatic "lol" tweet ignited speculation within the cryptocurrency community, particularly regarding Ripple (XRP) and a potential price surge. Ripple Labs also announced a $500 million buyback plan, with the goal to repurchase a $285-million stake from early investors and employees, offering them an exit strategy without pursuing a public listing. While there has been an increase in speculation about the possibility of Ethereum and XRP ETFs gaining approval after Bitcoin ETFs were approved, Bloomberg experts warn of the SEC&'s unpredictable decision-making process and suggest that XRP ETF approval may depend on the resolution of Ripple&'s legal challenges with the SEC, making it less likely in 2024.
Elon Musk&'s "lol" Post Sparks Speculation
Elon Musk recently posted a cryptic tweet consisting of a single word - "lol." While seemingly innocuous, this tweet triggered a mass of reactions from the cryptocurrency community on Twitter. One notable response came from a Twitter user with the handle "XRP Whale," who has a following of over 122,000 users. In their response, they connected Musk&'s "lol" to the current price of Ripple (XRP), speculating that people might be selling their XRP holdings before an anticipated surge in the remittance token’s value. The suggestion that the price of XRP could skyrocket soon and the fact that it was in response to an Elon Musk post certainly caught the attention of XRP fans.
Interestingly, Musk&'s tweet also drew responses from other accounts dedicated to XRP-related content, as well as accounts focused on Dogecoin, another cryptocurrency that has been associated with Musk in the past. One Twitter commentator pointed out the immense engagement that Musk&'s tweet received, highlighting his strong social media presence. Musk has a history of using Twitter to share his thoughts on cryptocurrencies, electric vehicles, and other topics, often with significant consequences for the markets and public perception.
In a somewhat unusual twist, one Twitter user went as far as tagging the Community Notes, an initiative designed to fact-check and verify information on social media, to scrutinize whether Musk&'s seemingly simple "lol" tweet contained any factual errors.
Ripple Labs Plans $500 Million Buyback
Ripple Labs is reportedly planning a tender offer to repurchase a $285 million stake in the company from early investors and employees. The company has confirmed this move and intends to allocate $500 million for the buyback process, which includes converting restricted stock units to common shares. Investors will only be allowed to sell 6% of their holdings.This transaction will place the company’s valuation at $11.3 billion.
Ripple has raised approximately $293.8 million in funding across 14 rounds since 2015, according to Crunchbase. Currently holding over $25 billion worth of cryptocurrencies, mainly in XRP, and possessing more than $1 billion in cash, Ripple aims to provide an exit strategy for early investors. CEO Brad Garlinghouse disclosed that the company does not have immediate plans for a public listing in the uncertain U.S. regulatory landscape.
Ripple&'s buyback approach serves as an alternative exit option for early investors, differing from the conventional route of going public through an initial public offering (IPO). Opting for a buyback allows Ripple to maintain greater control and flexibility over its business operations, avoiding the complexities associated with being a publicly traded company, like heightened regulatory requirements, market volatility, and the management of investor expectations.
XRP ETF Not Likely in 2024?
There has also been speculation that an XRP ETF could be on the horizon. In a recent Bloomberg interview, Steve McClurg, co-founder and CIO of Valkyrie Funds, suggested the possibility of Ethereum and XRP ETFs gaining approval after the expected launch of Bitcoin spot ETFs. McClurg expressed that it wouldn&'t be surprising to see XRP or Ethereum ETFs emerge in the market.
McClurg&'s optimism about Ethereum and Ripple ETFs is backed by recent market developments. He pointed out that Grayscale&'s addition of XRP to one of their publicly traded trusts definitely shows a growing interest in diversified cryptocurrency investment products. However, McClurg did warn that the SEC&'s decision-making process is unpredictable, and the regulator’s approval is never guaranteed.
Meanwhile, James Seyffart, an ETF analyst at Bloomberg, discussed the potential impact of Bitcoin ETFs and the strategies employed by various issuers. He emphasized the importance of ticker symbols, noting that some ETFs aim to appeal to a broader audience with viral and meme-oriented approaches, while others adopt a more traditional approach targeting older investors, often referred to as "Boomers."
Seyffart cautioned against picking favorites among these ETFs, mentioning the possibility of some ETFs having to close within the next 12 to 24 months. He highlighted the significance of partnerships with major financial institutions like JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Jane Street, underscoring their role in lending credibility and enhancing the liquidity and efficiency of ETFs.
Regarding speculation about ETF filers accumulating Bitcoin, Seyffart clarified that, due to ETFs&' cash creation mechanism, they cannot transfer existing Bitcoin into the ETFs. He anticipated that significant buying activity would likely occur in the initial days of trading once these ETFs receive approval.
Turning to the prospect of Ethereum or XRP ETFs, Seyffart noted that Bitcoin and Ethereum have an advantage due to the existence of regulated futures markets. However, he expressed skepticism about XRP gaining approval in 2024, pointing towards the ongoing legal challenges surrounding Ripple. He stated that for Bitcoin and Ethereum, there is a possibility of approval this year, but an XRP ETF approval still hinges on the resolution of its ongoing legal battle with the SEC.
