Top Portfolio Manager Calls XRP ‘Diamond in the Rough’

Portfolio manager Michael Gayed has once again captured the attention of the XRP community, but now in a far more unexpected way

The lyrics highlight XRP’s potential in global finance. Lines such as “You’re a diamond in the rough… it’s your time to shine” echo XRP’s narrative of resilience and eventual breakthrough

Specifically, the video touches on themes of doubt, self-reflection, and the challenges XRP has faced, including the SEC lawsuit, price crashes, and periods of uncertainty. It ends with a repeated reminder that every “diamond in the rough” eventually shines.

A Follow-Up to His Recent XRP Hint

Gayed’s artistic gesture comes just days after he hinted at a possible move into XRP. Last week, the influential portfolio manager tweeted that he “might do something related to XRP.”

The comment gained traction because Gayed is widely followed for his ETF research and macro commentary. More importantly, he had never commented on XRP before, despite frequently sharing strong opinions on Bitcoin and gold.

As a result, his earlier tweet triggered welcoming reactions across the XRP community. Influencers like Zach Rector and Tony Edward amplified the post. They describe Gayed’s interest as another sign that traditional finance is steadily warming up to XRP.

Why Gayed’s Interest Matters

Gayed has built a reputation as a sharp market critic, particularly toward Bitcoin ETFs. Last month, he called ETFs “the worst thing to happen to Bitcoin.”

He has also dismissed gold as unable to “save holders,” suggesting he doesn’t follow the usual safe-haven narratives. When asked about his critical views, Gayed explained that he is not anti-crypto. Instead, he opposes narratives that lack coherence.

Meanwhile, many observers now see his increasing interest in XRP as a sign that traditional finance voices are reassessing XRP’s role in tokenization, real-world asset settlement, and global payments.

Institutional Interest Surges as XRP ETFs Near $1B Inflows

Notably, Gayed’s XRP-themed song also arrives as XRP ETFs approach a major milestone. As of the latest session, XRP ETFs have recorded $954 million in cumulative net inflows. Yesterday alone, the products attracted $10.2 million in fresh investment led by Bitwise’s $7 million and Grayscale’s $3.24 million.

XRP inflow dataRipple CEO Brad Garlinghouse called the inflows “just the beginning,” noting that crypto ETFs still make up only 2% of the global ETF market

While the price of XRP has not yet reflected these investments from ETFs, market observers like Jake Claver and Zach Rector believe a supply shock is brewing. They believe XRP could experience a ‘violent’ reprice soon as ETF inflows continue.