Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, has set tongues wagging with his subtle suggestion that XRP might be the next cryptocurrency to receive approval for an exchange-traded fund (ETF) following the recent green light from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for Ethereum spot ETFs.

Garlinghouse took to social media to extend congratulations to the Ethereum team for their milestone ETF approval, remarking on the week's significant regulatory advancements, including bipartisan support for the FIT21 crypto bill. In a tweet, he expressed his surprise at the recent developments, likening them to "hell freezing over."

The Ripple community, seizing upon Garlinghouse's remarks, began speculating about the possibility of an XRP spot ETF in the near future, with many enthusiasts suggesting it as the next logical step. Notably, Garlinghouse's acknowledgment of these suggestions by 'liking' them has further fueled speculation within the community.

This development has been underscored by Zach Rector, a prominent member of the XRP community, who drew attention to Garlinghouse's earlier assertion that 2024 would be significant for XRP. Garlinghouse had previously indicated the inevitability of an XRP spot ETF, emphasizing its importance for diversification, albeit without providing a specific timeline due to regulatory uncertainties.

However, the path to an XRP ETF remains fraught with complexities, primarily due to the ongoing SEC lawsuit against Ripple, alleging the sale of unregistered securities. The outcome of this legal battle is expected to significantly influence the feasibility and timeline of an XRP ETF.

While some analysts, such as Bloomberg's James Seyffart, suggest that Solana may be a more probable candidate for the next spot ETF due to its market positioning, others within the XRP community remain optimistic about the prospects for an XRP ETF, buoyed by recent regulatory developments and market momentum.

The approval of Ethereum spot ETFs, including offerings from major players like BlackRock, Grayscale, and Fidelity, marks a significant milestone for the cryptocurrency space, signaling increasing acceptance within mainstream finance. This development bodes well for XRP's future prospects, with the community eagerly awaiting further progress and potential recognition for the digital asset.

Amidst the anticipation, the XRP community has actively petitioned institutions like Grayscale to consider launching an XRP ETF, reflecting their confidence in the token's long-term potential. While the exact timing of an XRP ETF remains uncertain, recent market dynamics and regulatory strides offer a glimmer of hope for XRP supporters, signaling positive momentum for the digital asset's future.