BlackRock Inc. is steering clear of the first wave of proposed U.S. exchange-traded funds tracking XRP, opting to stick with Bitcoin and Ether despite mounting evidence of investor demand for the token. Reportedly , the world’s largest asset manager has no plans “at this time” to file for a spot XRP ETF, quashing months of speculation it would join at least eight other issuers awaiting U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approval. The decision follows the August 8 resolution of Ripple Labs Inc.’s long-running legal battle with the SEC — a case many believed was the last major hurdle for a regulated XRP product. Competitors in Position BlackRock’s absence leaves the early lead to competitors such as Grayscale Investments, Franklin Templeton and Bitwise Asset Management. Industry veterans say first movers in crypto ETFs tend to capture the lion’s share of liquidity and advisory attention, advantages that can be hard to dislodge. Ignoring crypto assets besides BTC and ETH “makes zero sense”, said Nate Geraci, President of NovaDius Wealth Management. There has been roughly $1 billion in inflows to newly launched futures-based XRP and Solana products this year as evidence of robust appetite for regulated exposure. Managing the Narrative in an ETF-Driven Market For crypto projects the developments around major coins such as XRP can be as pivotal as price action. That’s where firms like Outset PR , founded by crypto PR strategist Mike Ermolaev, have carved out a niche. The agency blends daily market analytics with boutique-level campaign design, ensuring that messaging not only reaches the right media channels but also lands during moments of peak relevance. In a cycle where ETF headlines can trigger billions in market cap shifts overnight, Outset PR’s approach — tailoring pitches to each platform’s audience, mapping campaign timing to market catalysts, and targeting high-discovery outlets — has proven effective for crypto companies seeking to amplify their story in sync with market momentum. The firm’s data-led strategy has driven measurable results for clients such as Step App, Choise.ai, and ChangeNOW, often aligning visibility spikes with token price surges. For projects looking to capture investor mindshare ahead of major catalysts like ETF approvals, such coordinated PR efforts can mean the difference between being part of the headline or buried under it. XRP Price Reaction and Technical Picture XRP has extended its rally to a sixth consecutive month, trading between $2.93 and $3.41 after a 10.36% weekly gain. The token is up 19.26% over the past month and 35.10% in six months, with buyers defending each minor pullback. The coin is holding above both its 10-day and 100-day moving averages at $3.24 and $3.23, respectively. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at 57.48, suggesting stable momentum, while a Stochastic Oscillator reading near 87 reflects growing bullish enthusiasm. The MACD remains in positive territory. Immediate resistance is at $3.64, with a more significant barrier at $4.12. Support lies at $2.68 and $2.20. A break above $3.64 would open the way to $4.12 — a potential 25%–30% upside from mid-range levels. Holding above $3.00 keeps that scenario in play; a drop below $2.93 could see retracements toward $2.68 (–15%) or $2.20 (–30%). Trend bias stays upward while price remains above $2.68. The Road Ahead Whether BlackRock’s “not now” becomes “not yet” will hinge on how quickly competitor products scale. A surge in assets could prompt the firm to reverse course, as it did when it entered the Bitcoin ETF race after rivals filed first. Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.