XRP News Today: XRP ETF Inflows Can't Lift Price as Whales Offload Holdings

XRP bulls face a stubborn price ceiling as the token struggles to break past the $2 level. Despite institutional demand for XRP spot ETFs showing consistent strength, the price has remained range-bound in recent weeks. Analysts attribute the stagnation to a combination of macroeconomic pressures and active selling by large holders.

XRP spot ETFs have seen 30 consecutive days of net inflows, drawing praise from Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse. These funds have attracted nearly $1 billion in total inflows since launching in late November 2025. The ETFs reflect growing institutional confidence in XRP's utility in cross-border payments.

However, price action tells a different story. XRP has failed to gain traction above $2, with on-chain data suggesting that whales are dumping large quantities of the token. CryptoQuant analysis shows most inflows to exchanges like Binance come from wallets holding between 100,000 and 1 million XRP-typically indicative of large holders rather than retail traders.

Why the Standoff Happened

The current price standoff reflects a disconnection between ETF inflows and spot price dynamics. While institutional investors continue to build positions in XRP ETFs, large holders are using the ETF narrative as an opportunity to offload their tokens. This selling pressure has kept the price range-bound despite growing capital flows into the ETF structure.

Data from CryptoQuant indicates that whale activity has been disciplined but persistent. These large investors are transferring XRP to exchanges, presumably for selling, and the resulting supply outpaces demand from new buyers. The effect is a gradual erosion of price even as ETFs absorb a portion of the supply.

Market observers note that the ETF approval may have inadvertently created an exit strategy for whales. These large holders had accumulated XRP in anticipation of the ETF launch and are now leveraging the narrative to liquidate their positions. As a result, the price remains under pressure despite growing institutional participation.

How Markets Reacted

XRP's current price action reflects broader macroeconomic trends and cross-asset flows. The token's market dominance has fallen to a 90-day low, with capital shifting into Bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies. This rotation is partly driven by risk-off sentiment, as global macroeconomic conditions influence investor behavior.

Technical indicators suggest that XRP is in a confirmed corrective phase. The 10-day EMA currently acts as a resistance level near $1.96, while the 200-day SMA highlights longer-term weakness around $2.59. Oscillators like RSI and MACD reinforce the bearish momentum, with the market still far from oversold conditions.

Critical support levels now dominate the short-term outlook. A breakdown below $1.83 could signal the next phase in the correction, with deeper retracements toward $1.63 in focus. Conversely, a recovery to $2.00 would indicate that bears are losing control, but the level has now functioned as broken support rather than a reliable floor.

What Analysts Are Watching

Analysts are closely monitoring ETF inflows and whale activity as key indicators of the next move. While XRP ETFs have attracted over $1 billion in assets under management, their influence on price remains limited in the short term. The ETFs represent less than 1% of XRP's total market capitalization, meaning they cannot fully offset macro-driven selling pressure.

Investors are also watching for signs of a reversal in exchange inflows. So long as large holders continue to transfer XRP to exchanges, the risk of further declines remains high. A drop in these inflows could signal that whales have finished offloading their positions and that the price might begin to stabilize.

The broader market implications of XRP's ETF success are still unfolding. While the ETFs have reinforced XRP's institutional profile, they have not yet driven a significant revaluation in the spot price. For now, the token remains trapped between competing forces-growing institutional demand and persistent selling from large holders.

What This Means for Investors

For short-term traders, XRP-USD remains a tactical hold until it reclaims key resistance levels. A move above $1.96 would be a positive sign, but a sustained break above $2.27 would be needed to confirm that the downtrend is being repaired. Given the current technical setup, patience is advised.

For longer-term investors, the situation presents both risk and opportunity. XRP's deep correction and growing institutional infrastructure suggest potential for a future rebound, but a slide toward $1.63 or even $1.00 remains a distinct possibility. Position sizing must reflect the real risks highlighted by the technical and macroeconomic backdrop.

Institutional adoption and regulatory clarity will play a crucial role in shaping XRP's future. As ETFs and other financial instruments gain traction, the token's profile as a utility-driven asset could strengthen. But for now, market participants must navigate the immediate standoff between ETF demand and whale-driven selling.