On September 12, 2025, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC) listed tickers for potential Solana (SOL), Ripple (XRP), and Hedera (HBAR) ETFs. While this is an important operational step, it’s crucial to understand that it does not mean these ETFs are approved. Final authorization rests solely with the SEC.
Context and Market Impact
The DTCC handles clearing and settlement for financial markets. Adding these tickers signals that the infrastructure is ready should the ETFs get approved—but it’s an administrative move, not a regulatory one. As investment expert Nate Geraci noted:
“The DTCC listing means nothing from a regulatory standpoint. Everything is in the hands of the SEC”.
Market reaction was brief:
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SOL rose ~7% shortly after the news
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XRP and HBAR also saw small gains and higher volume
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Movements were temporary—prices corrected as technical indicators showed overbought conditions
Key risks remain:
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Regulatory hurdles (especially for XRP after its $125M settlement with the SEC)
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Questions about Hedera’s liquidity and Solana’s network stability
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Concerns around market manipulation and custody
Derivatives and Positioning
The announcement led to short-term spikes in trading volume and implied volatility. If approved, these ETFs could improve liquidity and attract institutional capital—but may also increase leverage and arbitrage activity, adding new layers of volatility.
The DTCC listing is a necessary step toward potential ETF launches, but it doesn’t guarantee approval. All eyes remain on the SEC—its decisions will determine whether these funds go live. Until then, investors should stay cautious, avoid overreacting to headlines, and remember that infrastructure readiness ≠ regulatory green light.
