Ripple XRP price stalls as $1.4 billion ETF inflows pile up

XRP is hovering near $1.38, roughly 39% below its July 2025 high, even as spot ETFs have amassed $1.39 billion in net inflows since their November 2025 launch【3】.

ETF inflows vs. price action

Spot ETFs that track XRP began trading in November 2025 and have drawn $1.39 billion in cumulative net inflows, with May 2026 alone delivering $81.59 million— the strongest monthly inflow so far this year【3】. Despite this capital influx, the token’s price remains stuck around $1.38, a level that is still well beneath the $3.50‑$3.60 range it briefly touched in summer 2025【1】. The disconnect is largely attributed to the ongoing release of escrowed XRP; roughly 38 billion XRP remain locked, creating steady supply pressure that offsets demand from ETF investors【3】.

Tokenomics and market sentiment

XRP’s on‑chain dynamics further dampen price upside. The escrow mechanism releases portions of the 100 billion‑token supply each month, and with 38 billion still held, the market faces a persistent sell‑side headwind【3】. Moreover, Ripple’s corporate activities—such as partnerships and the launch of tokenized assets—do not automatically translate into higher XRP demand because many banks can settle transactions on the Ripple network without using the token itself【2】. This decoupling means that even as Ripple’s ecosystem expands, XRP’s utility and price may lag.

Recent price context

After soaring to $3.65 in late 2025, XRP fell back to $1.32 by early 2026, a drop of about 45% from its January peak of $2.40【2】. The token has since traded in a tight $1.30‑$1.50 band throughout 2026, with $1.30 acting as a key support level and $1.50 serving as a modest resistance ceiling【2】. The current price of $1.38 sits squarely within this range, indicating limited upside unless new catalysts emerge.

What to watch

• $1.30 support – a breach could signal further downside pressure.
• Escrow release schedule – monthly unlocks of escrowed XRP (38 billion remaining) may add supply stress.
• Regulatory rulings – any change to the SEC/CFTC commodity classification or the outcome of the CLARITY Act could shift institutional sentiment.

XRP’s price stability despite massive ETF inflows highlights the tension between financial‑product demand and token supply dynamics, leaving the market to watch whether regulatory clarity or a shift in on‑chain usage can finally bridge the gap.