XRP News Today: XRP ETF's Record Inflows Clash with Price Slide: Market Paradox Deepens

The launch of the first U.S. spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) in November 2025 marked a historic milestone for the cryptocurrency market, drawing over $250 million in inflows and record trading volume. Managed by Canary Capital and listed on Nasdaq under the ticker XRPC, the ETF attracted institutional and retail investors seeking exposure to Ripple's XRP token through traditional brokerage platforms. Despite the bullish catalyst, XRP's price fell sharply in the days following the ETF's debut, trading at $2.26 on November 15 - down from a year-to-date high of $3.6650. The disconnect between the ETF's success and XRP's bearish performance has sparked debate among analysts, with experts pointing to delayed settlement mechanics, broader market conditions, and structural supply dynamics as key factors.

The XRPC ETF's first-day performance was nothing short of explosive. It generated $58.6 million in trading volume, surpassing all other 2025 ETF launches, including those for Solana (SOL). Net inflows reached $245 million, driven by institutional demand for XRP's utility in cross-border payments and blockchain applications. The fund's in-kind creation model - allowing direct swaps of XRP tokens for ETF shares - amplified inflows beyond visible trading activity. Bloomberg ETF analyst Eric Balchunas hailed the launch as the year's top ETF debut, noting that the fund's structure and regulatory compliance set a precedent for future crypto ETFs.

However, XRP's price trajectory defied expectations. Technical indicators painted a grim picture: the token formed a "death cross" pattern, with its 50-day and 200-day moving averages diverging bearishly. On-chain data revealed a series of lower highs and lower lows, while a small head-and-shoulders pattern suggested a potential reversal to $1.7707, its October low. Fabio Marzella, a founding director of the XRPL Foundation, explained that ETF trading does not immediately impact spot markets. He highlighted the T+1 settlement cycle, where ETF issuers receive cash the day after trades, delaying XRP purchases and limiting short-term price support.

Broader market conditions further exacerbated XRP's decline. Bitcoin's drop below $100,000 and a $1 trillion erosion in crypto market capitalization overshadowed the ETF's launch. Analysts noted that even large inflows struggle to counterbalance selling pressure during periods of macroeconomic stress, particularly for assets with large circulating supplies like XRP. Additionally, pre-launch sales of 90 million XRP tokens by large holders created temporary supply friction, though overall sentiment remained cautiously optimistic.

Looking ahead, the ETF's long-term impact remains uncertain. Franklin Templeton and other firms are set to launch additional XRP ETFs within weeks, potentially driving further institutional adoption. Steven McClurg, CEO of Canary Funds, projected $5 billion in quarterly ETF volume if inflows stabilize. Meanwhile, technical analysts suggest XRP could rebound if it breaks above key resistance levels at $2.45 and $2.52.

The XRP ETF's debut underscores the growing intersection of traditional finance and crypto, even as market volatility and regulatory uncertainty persist. While immediate price effects were muted, the product's success signals a shift toward mainstream acceptance of digital assets. As more ETFs enter the market, investors will need to weigh both structural demand and macroeconomic headwinds in assessing XRP's trajectory.