As demand for regulated digital asset products grows, 3iQ continues to lead the way in bringing new opportunities to investors. In a recent episode of the Crypto Prime podcast, Pascal St-Jean, President and CEO of 3iQ, joined the discussion to share his views on the evolving digital asset landscape, including the recent launch of North America’s first XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF).
Pioneering Regulated Access to Digital Assets
For years, 3iQ has been at the forefront of delivering institutional-grade access to digital assets. The firm launched some of the first Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs on a major global exchange, introduced the Middle East’s first listed Bitcoin fund, and brought the world’s first Ether staking ETF to market.
Now, 3iQ has added another milestone to its track record with the XRP ETF, traded under the ticker XRPQ on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX).
“This is one of the most requested products from investors for a while,” said St-Jean. “We are proud to bring XRP back into the market through a regulated, transparent vehicle.”
The launch follows the firm’s successful rollout of the Solana Staking ETF (TSX: SOLQ, SOLQ.U), which became Canada’s largest Solana ETF by AUM just after two days of trading.
A Focus on More Than Just ETFs
While 3iQ is known for its ETFs, St-Jean emphasized that the company sees itself as more than just a product issuer.
“We are a digital asset manager committed to supporting the entire ecosystem,” he explained. “That is why Ripple, the company behind XRP, supported us as a lead investor in the product.”
According to St-Jean, the firm’s deep focus on education, compliance and ecosystem growth has earned trust from both institutional investors and the digital asset community.
Understanding XRP’s Investment Case
With Bitcoin often viewed as digital gold and Ethereum emerging as the leading enterprise blockchain, XRP represents another key pillar of the evolving digital asset landscape.
“XRP is really targeting the legacy cross-border payment system,” St-Jean explained. “It is aiming to displace outdated systems like SWIFT by providing faster, cheaper, and more efficient payment infrastructure.”
Ripple Labs continues to innovate by building decentralized finance (DeFi) tools, tokenization models, and automated market makers within the XRP ecosystem. This blend of institutional-grade infrastructure and real-world use cases is driving growing investor interest.
Comparing Leading Blockchain Ecosystems
St-Jean provided a simple framework for understanding how different digital assets are carving out distinct niches:
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Ethereum is evolving as the enterprise blockchain, with scaling solutions like layer 2 networks and strong adoption from financial institutions building on its foundation.
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Solana is establishing itself as a retail-focused blockchain, powering innovations such as tokenized stocks, gaming applications, and DeFi platforms.
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XRP is targeting institutional cross-border payments and liquidity provisioning, while also expanding into tokenization and DeFi.
Each blockchain is developing unique strengths, attracting both retail and institutional interest, and gaining regulatory clarity that enables inclusion in regulated investment vehicles like ETFs.
Who Can Access 3iQ’s XRP ETF?
With many global investors eager to participate in regulated digital asset products, St-Jean explained how access to the XRP ETF works.
The product is listed on Canada’s TSX, and any investor with a brokerage account that provides access to Canadian stocks can invest in the fund. This includes platforms like Interactive Brokers, which offer global market access.
3iQ also offers a US dollar-denominated version of the ETF (ticker XRPQ.U), designed to eliminate foreign exchange conversion concerns investors.
Solana’s Rapid Growth and Global Interest
The XRP ETF follows the success of 3iQ’s Solana Staking ETF, launched earlier this year. The product quickly gained traction, driven by rising demand from both retail and institutional investors.
“Within two days, the Solana ETF became Canada’s largest Solana ETF by AUM,” said St-Jean. “We also saw significant interest from US institutions, including firms like SkyBridge Capital and ARK Invest.”
Solana’s momentum highlights the growing role of blockchain in retail applications, tokenized assets, and on-chain financial products, further underscoring the diversity of opportunities within the digital asset market.
A Global, Regulated Approach to Digital Assets
3iQ’s success in launching these products reflects Canada’s unique position as a leader in regulated digital asset investing. With clear regulatory guidelines and a collaborative ecosystem, Canadian firms are helping bridge the gap between traditional finance and blockchain innovation.
“Everything we do is about providing regulated access to this space, while supporting the growth of the broader ecosystem,” St-Jean concluded. “That is how we build trust with both investors and the digital asset community.”
As demand for secure, transparent digital asset exposure continues to grow, 3iQ’s latest products demonstrate how regulated solutions are making it easier than ever for investors to participate in this rapidly evolving market.
Listen to the full conversation with 3iQ’s CEO, Pascal St-Jean, on the latest episode of the Crypto Prime podcast.