XRP News Today: XRP Remains Shackled to Bitcoin as ETF Momentum Crumbles

XRP held just above $2.22 on November 16, 2025, as the cryptocurrency market grappled with a broader selloff driven by Bitcoin's decline below $95,000. Despite the debut of the first U.S. spot XRP ETF-Canary Capital's XRPC-the token's price dropped 4.3% over 24 hours, carving a volatile path between $2.22 and $2.31. The ETF's record-breaking $58.6 million in first-day trading volume failed to stabilize XRP, as derivatives markets signaled stress and $28 million in long-position liquidations hit within the same period. Analysts attributed the turmoil to conflicting institutional flows, macroeconomic uncertainty, and XRP's entrenched dependency on Bitcoin's price action according to analysis.

The selloff intensified at 00:00 UTC, when 74 million XRP traded-69% above the 24-hour average-breaking the $2.24 support level. Price slid to a session low of $2.22 before staging a high-volume V-shaped reversal, suggesting potential exhaustion of downward momentum according to market data. Technical analysts highlighted that holding $2.22 is critical to preventing a cascade to $2.16, a Fibonacci retracement level, and beyond to $2.02–$1.88. However, the broader downtrend from $2.31 remains intact, with resistance at $2.23–$2.24 acting as a psychological barrier according to market analysis.

Bitcoin's weakness amplified the pressure on altcoins like XRP. The crypto Fear & Greed Index plummeted to an extreme fear level of 10, its lowest since late February 2025, as macroeconomic concerns and low liquidity exacerbated selling. "XRP remains shackled to Bitcoin's movements," said Versan Aljarrah of Black Swan Capitalist, noting that leveraged liquidations across the ecosystem disproportionately impact altcoins according to market analysis. This dynamic underscores a broader industry challenge: even with regulatory clarity and institutional adoption, XRP's price remains inextricably tied to the dominant cryptocurrency's fortunes.

Institutional interest in XRP showed mixed signals. While the XRPC ETF's launch drew inflows of $245 million, subsequent trading volume plummeted to $26 million by November 15, a 55% drop. This retreat indicated waning enthusiasm, with analysts warning that ETF flows alone cannot counteract broader risk-off sentiment. Meanwhile, BlackRock's BUIDL token-a yield-bearing digital asset backed by U.S. Treasuries-highlighted a growing institutional preference for yield-generating instruments, further complicating XRP's competitive landscape.

Looking ahead, XRP's path hinges on reclaiming $2.24 and pushing above $2.31 to rebuild bullish momentum. A sustained break above $2.48 could reignite optimism toward $2.60+ targets, but failure to hold $2.16 risks accelerating the decline. The market will also watch upcoming ETF launches, including Franklin Templeton's EZRP and Bitwise's offering, for signs of renewed institutional conviction.

As the crypto sector braces for continued volatility, XRP's technical and fundamental story remains a microcosm of the industry's broader struggles. With Bitcoin's trajectory uncertain and macroeconomic headwinds persistent, even the most regulated and utility-driven tokens face an uphill battle to decouple from the dominant asset's gravitational pull.