Royal Bank of Canada Bets on XRP: $30K Stake in Bitwise ETF Revealed

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Royal Bank of Canada Discloses Stake in Bitwise <a href="https://pricpr.com/xrp-usd/">XRP</a> ETF

Key Highlights

  • Royal Bank of Canada invested in the Bitwise XRP ETF through a recent SEC filing.
  • RBC purchased 2,000 ETF shares, valued at approximately $30,000.
  • The Bitwise XRP ETF offers regulated exposure to XRP, with BNY Mellon serving as custodian.

As a crypto investor, I found it interesting to learn that RBC, one of Canada’s biggest banks, now has some exposure to XRP. They aren’t buying XRP directly, but they’ve invested in the Bitwise XRP ETF, which means they’re getting indirect access to it through a regulated fund. It’s a small step, but it shows increasing institutional interest in XRP.

RBC recently bought $30,000 worth of Bitwise XRP ETF (stock code: 09174F107), acquiring 2,000 shares, according to a report filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) covering the period ending March 31, 2026.

Although this investment is relatively small for RBC, a bank with over $570 billion in assets, it marks the first time they’ve indirectly invested in XRP. This also demonstrates a growing trend of traditional banks and investment companies exploring digital assets beyond just Bitcoin and Ethereum.

More about Bitwise XRP ETF

The Bitwise XRP ETF (ticker: XRP), launched in November 2025, allows investors to easily invest in XRP, the cryptocurrency used on the XRP Ledger. The fund holds actual XRP coins through The Bank of New York Mellon and has a low annual management fee of just 0.34%. By mid-May 2026, the fund managed approximately $345 to $360 million worth of assets.

RBC has been exploring blockchain technology for a while. They previously worked with Ripple on making international payments, and Ripple has highlighted how cryptocurrencies like XRP could potentially lower fees for these transactions by up to 60%. This recent financial filing reflects RBC’s ongoing interest in experimenting with digital currencies.

Canada’s advancement in crypto 

Canada is continuing to develop rules for things like cryptocurrency, balancing the need to encourage new technologies with the need to enforce those rules.

Tetra Trust Company announced that CADD, a digital currency designed to match the value of one Canadian dollar, has received official approval from the Alberta Treasury Board and Finance. Created by CAD Digital Inc., CADD is the first Canadian dollar stablecoin to be fully regulated, enabling Canadians to securely transact in Canadian dollars using blockchain technology within a well-regulated financial system.

The government is taking stronger steps to reduce the dangers of cryptocurrencies. In its latest economic report, officials announced they will ban crypto ATMs nationwide, citing their frequent use by criminals for fraudulent activities.

Canada’s financial intelligence unit, FINTRAC, has cancelled the licenses of 23 cryptocurrency businesses due to concerns about money laundering risks.

Increasing XRP ETF adoption

This development reflects a growing trend of institutional adoption. Following the positive performance of Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, interest in XRP ETFs is also rising. Large financial companies and investment firms are using these tools to invest in crypto assets without directly owning them, which avoids impacting their financial statements.

If other major financial institutions copy RBC’s actions, we could see a lot of money flow into XRP-related investments, potentially driving up the price. However, like all cryptocurrencies, XRP remains highly volatile. RBC hasn’t publicly confirmed any investment at this time.

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2026-05-16 22:35