XRP Crosses $2.2 After Surging 18% Over the Past Week

XRP surged past $2.20 in early January 2026, marking a 18% rise over the past week. The price increase was supported by steady inflows into spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and increased institutional interest in the asset.

The rise came amid broader outflows from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, which lost $782 million in the same week. In contrast, XRP ETFs recorded $64 million in net inflows.

Franklin Templeton's XRP ETF led the inflow trend, contributing $28.6 million, followed by Bitwise with $19 million. The cumulative inflows for XRP ETFs have now reached $1.14 billion, with total net assets between $1.24 billion and $1.25 billion according to reports.

Why Did This Happen?

XRP ETFs have shown more consistent inflows compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum, which have seen volatile outflows. This suggests a shift in investor preference toward XRP as a more stable option in the crypto market.

XRP's price has remained near $1.87, within a $1.85 to $1.90 range, while on-chain data indicates that exchange balances have hit multi-year lows. This reduction in supply may amplify demand-driven price movements.

The token's price movement has been accompanied by increased trading volume. For the week, XRP ETFs saw $43.16 million in inflows, with Franklin's XRPZ and Bitwise's XRP product leading the way.

Despite this, XRP's price remains within a bearish descending channel, with technical support at $1.80. A breakout above this channel could signal a move toward the $3.00 to $3.60 range according to technical analysis.

Analysts Watch for Breakout and Regulatory Clarity

Standard Chartered has projected that XRP could reach $8 by the end of 2026, factoring in regulatory clarity and sustained ETF inflows. A more conservative forecast anticipates a rise to $3 if supply and demand trends remain stable according to analysts.

Exchange balances of XRP have shrunk to historical lows, which could heighten sensitivity to demand shifts. Analysts suggest that a clean close above $2.00 could indicate supply exhaustion and open the door to further gains.

Meanwhile, Roundhill Trust has submitted an amended filing for its XRP Covered Call Strategy ETF, signaling growing institutional acceptance of XRP-related products. This move confirms XRP's viability as an underlying asset for regulated investment vehicles.

The broader crypto market is also seeing increased participation in altcoins like XRP. As of January 3, 2026, XRP had regained its position as the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.

Investors are closely watching for signs of a breakout above the $2.00 level, with key resistance at $2.10–$2.15. A move past this resistance could lead to a test of the $2.60–$2.70 zone within weeks according to market analysis.

Technical indicators remain mixed, but XRP's price action continues to show signs of bullish momentum. The RSI and MACD suggest declining downside pressure, and the 200-day EMA near $2.35 is the next potential resistance according to technical indicators.