XRP News Today: XRP's Price Falls 16% as ETFs Pour $622M: Bear Market Bargain or Warning?

Bitcoin analyst Peter Brandt has sparked debate by suggesting that XRP's current price of $1.93-despite being a fraction of Solana's $122.94-holds greater long-term potential due to its unique market dynamics and institutional adoption. This assessment comes amid a volatile week for XRP, which has fallen 16% in seven days, yet attracted over $622 million in cumulative inflows through spot ETFs according to data, signaling growing institutional confidence. The contrast with Solana, which has declined 32.5% in the same period, underscores a shift in capital toward XRP despite its bearish technical indicators.

XRP's recent price action has been shaped by a combination of macroeconomic factors and onchain fundamentals. A megaphone pattern on the weekly chart-a broadening wedge formed by higher highs and lower lows-suggests a potential drop to $0.88, a 54% decline from current levels. Meanwhile, the token's Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL) metric has deteriorated, with over 41.5% of holders underwater, amplifying selling pressure. However, the launch of multiple XRP ETFs, including Bitwise's $XRP and 21Shares' TOXR, has injected over $622 million in inflows since November, reflecting institutional demand for regulated exposure. These ETFs have outperformed their Solana and Dogecoin counterparts, with the latter's debut recording just $1.41 million in first-day inflows, highlighting XRP's stronger appeal to capital allocators.

The technical bear case for XRP is further reinforced by onchain metrics. XRP's realized losses have surged to seven-month highs, with daily losses averaging $75 million as investors cut losing positions. A critical support level at $1.80, if broken, could trigger a cascade to $1.05. Yet, whale activity has introduced uncertainty. A recent 30 million XRP transfer from Upbit to an unknown wallet has fueled speculation about a potential rebound, with traders eyeing a test of the $2.5 resistance level. This contrasts with Solana's struggles, where ETF inflows of $621 million have failed to offset a 52.3% annual decline, raising questions about its ability to sustain institutional interest.

The broader crypto market's polarization is evident in the divergent performances of XRP and Solana ETFs. While Bitcoin and Ether ETFs face outflows, XRP and Solana products remain rare bright spots, with the former attracting nearly $500 million and the latter $410 million in net inflows. This trend is set to accelerate as CME Group prepares to launch spot-quoted XRP and Solana futures on December 15, further legitimizing altcoin trading for institutional players. However, XRP's path to recovery remains fraught. A breakdown below $1.80 could trigger a test of the 100-week SMA at $1.60, while Solana's technical resilience-bouncing off a long-term ascending trendline-suggests it may outperform XRP in the near term.

Brandt's bullish stance on XRP hinges on its potential to capitalize on ETF-driven liquidity and its role in cross-border payments, a sector projected to grow to $250 trillion by 2027. Meanwhile, Solana's struggles reflect challenges in scaling its ecosystem amid a bear market. As the crypto landscape evolves, the interplay between technical fundamentals, ETF adoption, and macroeconomic trends will determine whether XRP's $2 valuation proves a bargain or a warning sign.