VanEck’s Matthew Sigel Explains Why His Firm Isn’t Pursuing a Spot XRP ETF Yet

As a seasoned crypto investor with a background in finance and journalism, I find Matthew Sigel’s insights from the Thinking Crypto interview particularly intriguing. His professional journey from journalism to finance, with a focus on disruptive innovation and open-source technology, aligns perfectly with my own experiences in this dynamic market.


On July 9, 2024, Matthew Sigel, the Head of Digital Assets Research at VanEck, engaged in a conversation with Tony Edward, the founder and host of the YouTube series Thinking Crypto. Throughout this engaging interview, Sigel shared valuable information about VanEck’s approach to cryptocurrencies, the potential influence of upcoming ETFs, regulatory hurdles, and his perspective on the digital assets market.

Background and Career

Sigel recounted the significant stages of his accomplished career, starting with his initial experience in journalism at Bloomberg and CNBC. He brought attention to an early observation he made concerning the prevalence of false information, which subsequently motivated him to transition from journalism into finance. During his tenure at Alliance Bernstein, Sigel focused on tech stocks while gaining insights into disruptive innovation. His encounter with open-source technology paved the way for his future involvement in Bitcoin and crypto assets.

VanEck’s Crypto Strategy

Sigel shared insights about VanEck, a seasoned player in the ETF and mutual fund industry, who has adopted a substantial portion of digital assets in their investment portfolio. He traced the firm’s evolution, from its founder’s initial focus on international mutual funds and subsequently gold mining stocks, to the development of a mindset that views Bitcoin as a potential threat to their traditional gold mining revenues. Currently, VanEck oversees over $2 billion in digital assets spread across more than fifteen diverse offerings, such as ETFs and actively managed liquid token funds.

The Role of Social Media

Sigel highlighted the significant role of social media in contemporary investing, attributing it to transforming the way capital is raised. He talked about how social media facilitates retail investors’ collaboration, using cases like GameStop and meme coins as evidence. Sigel pointed out that this investment democratization has disrupted conventional financial hierarchies and introduced fresh market dynamics.

Bitcoin ETF Performance and Inflows

As an analyst, I’ve observed with great interest the surge in popularity and success of Bitcoin ETFs. These investment vehicles have attracted substantial inflows, boosting their credibility as a legitimate asset class. Notably, hedge funds have been among the early adopters, but I anticipate that financial advisors will soon follow suit, resulting in even more significant inflows. In fact, I believe that Bitcoin ETFs are on track to manage triple the current assets within the next year, surpassing $150 billion.

Ethereum ETFs and Staking

As a researcher studying Ethereum Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs), I’m enthusiastic about their potential approval and the anticipated inflows they could bring. While the absence of staking might slightly diminish their appeal, I still believe there will be substantial inflows.

Solana ETF and Future Products

I, Sigel, shared my perspective on VanEck’s Solana ETF application during the discussion. According to VanEck, Solana and Ethereum possess comparable attributes in terms of decentralization and utility. I am optimistic that regulatory approval will be granted, although it may necessitate a shift in SEC leadership. Furthermore, I hinted at potential upcoming product innovations, such as basket ETFs and the tokenization of additional assets.

Potential for Spot XRP ETFs

Sigel expressed his thoughts on the possibility of XRP-backed ETFs, pointing out that although VanEck has taken several factors into consideration, they don’t have the confidence and demand from investors to move forward with an XRP ETF at the moment. He highlighted that launching an ETF involves collaboration from various parties, including regulatory bodies, issuers, and investors. Currently, Sigel stated that these conditions are not yet ideal for an XRP ETF to become a reality.

Regulatory Landscape and Future Outlook

As a researcher, I’ve delved into the intricate regulatory landscape, focusing on the ongoing legal disputes between the SEC. The uncertainty surrounding these matters has weighed heavily on the digital asset community. Yet, I remain optimistic that a new administration may bring about more transparency and a more welcoming stance towards cryptocurrencies. In my view, the crypto market is poised for expansion, with institutional investors jumping aboard and innovative investment solutions being engineered.

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2024-07-11 15:39