Until recently, owning XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) meant buying the coin directly on a crypto exchange and managing it yourself. Now, there's an alternative: spot XRP ETFs that let you buy shares that track the price of XRP in a regular brokerage account.
The two options may sound similar, but they put different things in your hands. Buying XRP directly gives you full control over the coin and its movements, while an XRP ETF holds the actual XRP for you and sells you shares that rise and fall with the price.
Owning the coin yourself has clear advantages, starting with cost. A crypto exchange charges a one-time fee when you buy, usually around 0.1% to 0.5%, while an ETF charges an annual fee that can add up over time.
On the other hand, buying an XRP ETF removes some of the headaches associated with direct ownership, such as managing keys and wallets. It also opens up new possibilities, like holding XRP in a retirement account for tax advantages.