XRP price bulls seize momentum as spot ETF inflows blast past $1b mark

Source: Cryptonews Original Title: XRP price bulls seize momentum as spot ETF inflows blast past $1b mark Original Link: XRP has outperformed the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization in early 2026, surpassing Bitcoin and Ethereum in percentage gains. The digital asset has risen to its highest level since November 2025 since the start of the year, while Bitcoin and Ethereum have registered smaller gains over the same period.

Spot XRP ETF Inflows Surpass $1 Billion Milestone

Spot XRP exchange-traded funds in the United States have recorded continuous inflows since launching in mid-November, with the trend extending into the first two trading days of 2026. Cumulative inflows into spot XRP ETFs have surpassed $1 billion, with the funds registering significant daily trading volumes that suggest institutional investors are actively building positions.

XRP investment products attracted modest capital throughout 2024, with 2025 figures increasing approximately fivefold. The pace of inflows has accelerated in early 2026.

On-Chain Metrics Signal Structural Bullish Setup

The amount of XRP held on centralized exchanges has dropped to multi-year lows. Declining exchange balances typically indicate investors are moving assets into cold storage or custody solutions rather than keeping them available for immediate sale.

XRPL decentralized exchange liquidity has surged to multi-year highs, with the liquidity injection suggesting market makers and large-scale liquidity providers are positioning for sustained price movement or increased volatility. Transaction count on the XRPL decentralized exchange has climbed substantially, indicating increased market depth is meeting organic demand.

Technical and Derivatives Momentum

The rally was characterized by a breakout from a falling wedge pattern, a technical formation often associated with bullish reversals. The move was accelerated by short liquidations, which forced traders betting against the asset to buy back positions to cover losses.

The Taker Buy Ratio, a metric measuring whether buyers or sellers are initiating trades, has crossed the threshold indicating buyers are aggressively hitting the ask price. Open interest in XRP futures has climbed to its highest level since November, with derivatives volume rising to levels not seen in the same period.

Institutional Infrastructure Development

Ripple has completed strategic acquisitions including custody and treasury firms, as well as a global prime broker rebranded as Ripple Prime. The firm has assembled infrastructure resembling traditional market-structure platforms for enterprises to test on-chain settlement.

Market participants are increasingly assessing XRP as a potential utility component within regulated payments architecture rather than solely as a speculative asset.