XRP near $1 as ETF inflows and CLARITY Act vote loom

XRP slipped to roughly $1.08, a drop of more than 50% over the past year, as investors weigh continued ETF inflows of $1.48 bn and an upcoming CLARITY Act Senate vote that could settle the token’s legal status【1】.

ETF demand keeps buying despite the slide

Spot XRP exchange‑traded funds have attracted $1.48 bn in deposits since launching in November 2025, making them the most consistent source of demand for the token【1】. Unlike typical “buy‑the‑dip” behavior, the funds kept buying even as XRP fell toward $1, though the pace has softened and net assets fell to about $944 m after price erosion and a rare daily outflow on June 30【1】. These inflows translate directly into token purchases, providing a floor that may support price around the $1 mark.

Legislative outlook and macro pressure

The CLARITY Act, which would classify XRP as a commodity and remove a key regulatory hurdle, is slated for a Senate vote in late July or August【1】. Market pricing on Polymarket now puts the odds of passage this year at roughly 42%, down from over 70% after a favorable committee vote in May【1】. Meanwhile, Standard Chartered cut its 2026 price target from $8 to $2.80 in February, citing broader macro conditions, yet that target remains about 160% above the current price—a sign of how far XRP has underperformed expectations【1】. The Federal Reserve’s delayed rate‑cut outlook continues to pressure risk assets, adding to the token’s downside bias.

Price history and risk points

XRP began the year near $1.84, spiked to $2.41 in early January, then fell to $1.11 by early February and later to a year‑low of $1.03 in June【1】. The 52‑week high of $3.65 recorded last summer is now a 70% decline, with the token trading at $1—a level many investors view as a warning sign【2】. The $1 support level is closely watched; a breach could expose the token to further declines toward $0.80, while the escrow release schedule continues to unlock up to 1 bn XRP each month regardless of market conditions【1】.

Tokenomics and network activity

Ripple’s recent acquisitions and a conditional national bank charter aim to bolster the RLUSD stablecoin, but most of the financial benefits accrue to the stablecoin rather than XRP holders【1】. Evernorth data shows that every RLUSD trade settles as an XRP transaction, routing over $2.5 bn through the ledger, yet the resulting network fees are fractions of a cent and have not shifted price momentum【1】.

What to watch

• CLARITY Act Senate vote – late July or August; a passage could lift sentiment, while a defeat may keep XRP stuck near $1.
• $1 support level – a break below could trigger a slide toward $0.80, testing the token’s resilience.
• ETF inflow trends – continued net inflows versus outflows will indicate institutional demand strength.

XRP’s price now reflects a tug‑of‑war between solid institutional buying via ETFs and lingering regulatory uncertainty, leaving the token’s trajectory hinged on the upcoming legislative decision and whether the $1 support holds.