XRP News Today: Institutional Capital Shifts to Altcoins as Bitcoin Loses ETF Momentum

Inflows into altcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have surged in late 2025, with XRP, Solana, and Ethereum leading the charge as institutional capital shifts away from Bitcoin. XRP ETFs alone recorded $164 million in daily net inflows, pushing total assets to $628 million, while Solana and Ethereum ETFs also attracted significant demand. This trend contrasts sharply with Bitcoin ETFs, which saw $151 million in outflows on November 24, marking a broader reallocation of institutional capital within the crypto market.

XRP's ETF performance has been particularly striking. Despite the token trading below $2, the newly launched spot XRP ETFs-backed by Grayscale, Franklin Templeton, and Bitwise-captured $587 million in cumulative inflows within two weeks, surpassing Solana's $568 million in a month-long period. This momentum was fueled by aggressive fee waivers, including Franklin Templeton's 0.19% sponsor fee, fully waived for the first $5 billion in assets until May 2026. However, XRP's price remains structurally fragile, with 41.5% of its supply still in loss, a sign of top-heavy demand driven by late buyers. Analysts caution that while ETF inflows could prop up XRP's price, whale selling- such as the 200 million XRP dumped in 48 hours post-ETF launch - may delay meaningful price appreciation until 2026 according to analysis.

Solana ETFs have also seen robust inflows, totaling $369 million in November as investors gravitate toward its 5%–7% staking yields. The network's disinflation proposal, which aims to double its annual token burn rate to 30%, further underscores institutional confidence in Solana's long-term value proposition. Yet, Solana's ETFs have faced recent outflows, with $156 million leaving the funds in a single week, contrasting with XRP's consistent inflows. This divergence reflects Solana's technical challenges and perceived risk, while XRP benefits from regulatory clarity and institutional adoption according to analysts.

Ethereum ETFs, meanwhile, absorbed $96.6 million in inflows, bolstered by the upcoming Fusaka upgrade expected to enhance token value capture. BlackRock's ETHA fund led the charge, capturing 96% of Ethereum's recent inflows, as institutions bet on the network's maturing infrastructure and staking yields. Analysts like Bitwise's Matt Hougan highlight Ethereum's structural improvements, suggesting the asset is better positioned to capitalize on network value effects compared to Bitcoin.

Bitcoin's struggles stand in stark contrast. The token's 30% price drop since October has coincided with a $3.79 billion outflow from spot ETFs in November. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), the largest Bitcoin ETF, saw $2.1 billion in redemptions this month as institutions pivoted toward altcoins. JPMorgan analysts attribute this shift to a transition from speculative Bitcoin exposure to utility-driven assets like Ethereum and Solana.

The ETF-driven rotation has sparked optimism about an end-of-year altcoin rally. Predictions from analysts like Ray Youssef of NoOnes suggest Ethereum could reclaim $3,200, XRP reach $3, and Solana hit $150 if macro volatility eases and ETF demand remains strong. However, experts caution that any rebound will likely be selective, favoring assets with clear utility and institutional access.

As the altcoin ETF landscape expands, with over 150 products expected to launch in the next six months, the competition for institutional capital intensifies. XRP's aggressive pricing strategy and Solana's yield appeal position them as key contenders, while Ethereum's upgrades solidify its role as a bridge between Bitcoin's store-of-value narrative and altcoins' utility-driven growth.