# BlackRock Director’s Presence at Ripple Event Sparks XRP ETF Speculation
## Introduction
Ripple’s upcoming SWELL 2025 conference in London is poised to attract significant attention from the institutional crypto space. The inclusion of Maxwell Stein, Director of Digital Assets at BlackRock, as a speaker has reignited speculations around the asset manager’s potential interest in XRP. This article explores the implications of BlackRock’s involvement and the speculation surrounding a possible XRP ETF.
## BlackRock’s Potential Plans for XRP
Maxwell Stein’s participation at Ripple’s SWELL event has not gone unnoticed, especially within the XRP community. Many speculate that BlackRock’s engagement may signify more than just a symbolic gesture. The timing of BlackRock’s association with Ripple, coinciding with Ripple’s efforts to obtain U.S. Trust Bank status for integrating XRP into Federal Reserve infrastructure, has raised eyebrows. Crypto influencer Crypto Eri has encouraged followers to “connect the dots,” hinting at the possibility of significant developments in the XRP ecosystem.
## Potential for an XRP ETF
While an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) has not been formally announced, BlackRock’s track record with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs has led industry experts to consider the plausibility of an XRP ETF in the future. The prevailing view is that once Ripple achieves legal clarity and regulatory stability, BlackRock might revisit the idea of launching an XRP ETF. Such a move could potentially open up new avenues for institutional investors to gain exposure to XRP within a regulated framework.
## Ripple’s Institutional Readiness
The inclusion of Maxwell Stein as a speaker at SWELL underscores Ripple’s positioning as a leading provider of institutional-grade payment solutions. By bridging blockchain technology with traditional finance, Ripple continues to strengthen its credibility in the financial sector. Recent legal victories, such as the rejection of a Securities and Exchange Commission motion, have further boosted Ripple’s momentum and reaffirmed XRP’s regulatory standing.
## Notable Speakers at SWELL 2025
Apart from BlackRock’s Maxwell Stein, SWELL 2025 will host prominent figures from the financial industry. Ryan Rugg from Citi, Sandy Kaul from Franklin Templeton, Carolyn Weinberg from BNY Mellon, and Cynthia Lo Bessette from Fidelity Digital Asset Management are some of the key participants. Their roles and expertise in blockchain, digital assets, tokenization, and institutional adoption hint at the diverse perspectives that will enrich the discussions at the conference.
## Conclusion
As the financial world eagerly anticipates the insights and announcements expected at Ripple’s SWELL 2025 event in London, the presence of BlackRock’s Director of Digital Assets has fueled speculations about the potential for an XRP ETF. With a diverse lineup of industry leaders set to share their perspectives, the conference promises to shed light on Ripple’s institutional roadmap and the future prospects for XRP in the regulated financial landscape.
[Originally posted on Finbold](#)
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