SEC's 33 Act Shift Drives 762% XRP Inflow Surge via First U.S. ETF

XRP inflows surged 762% on September 18, 2025, following the debut of the first U.S. spot XRP ETF, signaling heightened speculative trading activity. According to CryptoQuant data, total exchange inflows across all supported platforms reached 11.57 million XRP, a significant jump from 1.34 million the prior day. The spike coincided with the launch of the REX-Osprey XRP ETF (XRPR), which recorded $37.75 million in trading volume on its first day—surpassing the previous record held by the Wedbush AI Revolution ETF (IVES) and ranking as the largest natural dollar volume for any 2025 ETF debut. Analysts attributed the inflow surge to a combination of institutional demand, retail speculation, and positioning ahead of potential ETF-related volatility.

The REX-Osprey XRP ETF, approved under the Investment Company Act of 1940, marked a pivotal milestone for XRP as the first U.S.-listed fund offering spot exposure to the third-largest cryptocurrency. The fund allocates 80% of its assets to XRP, with the remainder in futures, Treasuries, and money market funds. Its launch followed the SEC’s recent regulatory shift, which streamlined the approval process for commodity-based ETFs by allowing spot crypto ETFs to launch under the ’33 Act if the underlying asset has futures listed on Coinbase. This development, coupled with the Federal Reserve’s 0.25 basis point rate cut, further fueled investor optimism.

Market reactions were mixed. While XRP’s price surged over 5% on the day of the ETF debut, it later retreated to $3.01 amid profit-taking and selling pressure. Technical indicators, however, suggested a bullish setup: the TD Sequential buy signal activated at $2.97, and whale activity involving 160 million XRP tokens over late August to mid-September cleared overhang supply, creating a foundation for potential price appreciation. Analysts like Ray Youssef of NoOnes projected that even modest ETF inflows could drive XRP toward $3.50 to $4 by early 2026, particularly if additional XRP ETFs gain approval.

The ETF’s success also highlighted growing institutional interest in altcoins. The REX-Osprey DOGE ETF (DOJE), launched alongside XRPR, generated $17 million in first-day volume, placing it among the top five ETF debuts of 2025. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas noted that the strong opening signaled positive momentum for the upcoming wave of 33 Act ETFs under SEC review. With over 90 altcoin ETF applications pending, the market is pricing in potential inflows of up to $5 billion for XRP within four weeks if multiple approvals are granted.

Looking ahead, XRP’s price trajectory will depend on regulatory clarity and market dynamics. The TD Sequential buy signal and bullish flag pattern on the daily chart suggest a near-term target of $5, with longer-term projections reaching $15 if momentum sustains. Meanwhile, the ETF’s launch has expanded regulated access to XRP, with institutional investors now able to allocate capital via traditional brokerage accounts. This structural shift, combined with XRP’s cross-border payment utility and low institutional penetration, positions the asset to absorb large-scale inflows as the crypto ETF landscape evolves.