Sal Gilbertie, CEO of Teucrium, has clarified why the company forayed into the XRP ETF space, attributing the move to his belief in Ripple’s potential to overhaul international payment systems, such as SWIFT. In a recent appearance on the Thinking Crypto podcast, Gilbertie explained that XRP’s utility and Ripple’s mission to improve global finance were central to the decision to launch the Teucrium 2x Long Daily XRP ETF (XRP). According to Gilbertie, Ripple’s long-term strategy could redefine how money moves across borders. While discussing Ripple’s infrastructure, he remarked, “The Ripple team, from their outset, have been out there laying the groundwork in the background to change the financial system… primarily through replacing, hopefully, the Swift system.” He emphasized that Ripple’s focus and consistency set it apart from other blockchain-based initiatives, especially given their intent to modernize outdated financial rails. Gilbertie noted that his professional background in derivatives trading, including futures and swaps, gave him an appreciation for systems that bring efficiency to financial markets. His frustration with the traditional banking experience further strengthened his view of Ripple’s relevance. “I understand the financial system. I understand the banking system to some degree, and I understand, as we all do, when you try to send a wire, it’s a hassle,” he said. XRP Stood Out from Other Tokens Unlike many market participants who are drawn to cryptocurrencies like Ethereum or Solana, Gilbertie admitted he was never particularly attracted to them. XRP, however, stood out to him due to its real-world application and Ripple’s clear direction. He said the utility-based design and Ripple’s continuous push to deliver functional solutions for financial institutions made XRP the logical choice for Teucrium’s crypto-focused strategy. Rather than following market trends, Gilbertie aligned Teucrium’s strategy with its institutional expertise. He pointed out that the firm’s strength lies in structured financial products, especially leveraged instruments. For this reason, Teucrium avoided competing for dominance in the crowded spot ETF market and instead launched a leveraged XRP ETF, which offers double exposure. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 A Strategic Launch That Gained Momentum Gilbertie also detailed how Teucrium structured the 2x XRP ETF without direct access to XRP futures. Instead, the firm used swaps linked to a Swiss ETF that held XRP. This alternative setup allowed Teucrium to launch ahead of others, giving them a first-mover advantage in the U.S.-leveraged XRP ETF market. The fund’s success soon followed. By the end of last month, the Teucrium 2x Long Daily XRP ETF surpassed $300 million in assets under management, making it the first U.S.-based XRP ETF to cross that mark. Gilbertie attributed this milestone to the strength of the XRP community and traders’ demand for high-risk, high-reward products. He described XRP’s investor base as an “army” and noted their role in pushing the ETF’s popularity forward. Lessons from Earlier Bitcoin ETF Setbacks During the interview, Gilbertie also reflected on Teucrium’s earlier experiences with Bitcoin ETFs . The firm initially filed under the 1933 Securities Act, which required a lengthier review process. However, when the Securities and Exchange Commission, under then-Chair Gary Gensler, directed approvals toward ETFs filed under the 1940 Act, Teucrium’s early filings lost their competitive edge. Gilbertie expressed disappointment with how the regulatory shift disadvantaged early movers like Teucrium, saying the firm was forced to watch others enter the market ahead of them. Despite this setback, he said the experience motivated the firm to take a new direction. Gilbertie views XRP as a digital asset with tangible utility and believes Ripple can lead a transformation of cross-border payments. His firm’s decision to back XRP with a leveraged ETF reflects both a strategic business approach and a broader confidence in Ripple’s potential to replace legacy systems, such as SWIFT. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Teucrium CEO Thinks Ripple Could Replace SWIFT, Hence the XRP ETF Launch appeared first on Times Tabloid .