XRP’s price narrative remains highly strained as strong ETF inflows meet an aggressive round of profit-taking. The token was expected to benefit from the 21 November U.S. ETF approvals, with several listings attracting over $50 million in opening-day volume, according to Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas. Instead, XRP slipped from $2.29 to $2.18, mirroring weakness across the broader crypto market. The contrast between institutional progress and immediate price pressure is shaping today’s uncertain outlook.

The tension raises a pressing question: can ETFs spark a sustained revaluation of XRP, or will persistent sell-offs continue to dictate price action? With both sentiment and structure sitting at critical levels, XRP’s next decisive move depends on how these opposing forces resolve.

What’s driving XRP’s latest shift?

Reports point to two competing currents shaping XRP’s behaviour. On one side, long-term supporters - including analysts such as 24HrsCrypto and Black Swan Capitalist founder Versan Aljarrah - argue that XRP’s value is rooted in real-world financial infrastructure. They maintain that while Bitcoin thrives on speculative waves, XRP’s upside is tied to “utility, settlement demand, and global liquidity needs.” In their view, time and steady institutional participation, rather than hype, drive meaningful price discovery.

That thesis converged with a major milestone: the approval of multiple U.S. XRP ETFs. With Franklin Templeton, Bitwise, 21Shares, and others entering the arena, traditional investors now have direct, regulated access. Early interest underscores that demand: Bitwise reported $22 million in day-one trading, while Canary Capital’s XRPC ETF delivered $58 million, marking one of the most robust ETF launches of the year. These inflows expand XRP’s institutional footprint even as the spot chart remains unstable.

Why it matters

Market commentators say these ETF launches represent a long-term boost to XRP’s credibility. Bitwise characterised its debut as a “historic moment,” noting that regulated vehicles carry influence with pension funds, financial advisers, and conservative allocators still cautious about digital assets. Such investors often take months to adjust their models, suggesting that 2026 may reveal the true scale of institutional demand.

Yet the short term tells a harsher story. XRP’s slide below $2 despite the ETF excitement highlights how fragile its current structure is. Glassnode data shows 41.5% of supply now sits at a loss, the lowest profitability ratio since late 2024. 

That vulnerability has encouraged selling, with whales reportedly offloading more than 200 million XRP in the 48 hours following ETF approvals. This split between long-term structural improvement and short-term market stress now defines the token’s near-term risk.

Impact on Markets and Investors

Ripple’s institutional strategy adds weight to the long-term case. The company’s $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road, now operating as Ripple Prime, marks a landmark moment: a crypto-native firm controlling a global prime broker serving over 300 institutions. Hidden Road already clears roughly $3 trillion annually across FX, derivatives, fixed income, and crypto, and Ripple says activity has grown sharply since the acquisition.

This matters because prime brokerage infrastructure acts as the core of institutional capital flow. By integrating XRP and RLUSD into collateral and settlement processes, Ripple is reinforcing the token’s role beyond trading - positioning it as part of the financial plumbing. That creates a paradox for investors: the fundamentals supporting liquidity and utility are strengthening even as the short-term chart weakens. This kind of disconnect often appears in transitional phases before markets decide on a direction.

XRP outlook

Chart analysts believe XRP is nearing an inflection point. A recovery above $2.195 would suggest stabilising momentum and could open the path toward $2.60. A clean break below $2.00, however, risks accelerating toward $1.50, where bargain hunters may attempt to rebuild long positions. The previously targeted $3.60 level appears out of reach for now unless broader crypto sentiment rebounds.

The long-term debate remains deeply divided. Advocates for the $100 thesis argue that as institutions seek scalable settlement infrastructure, XRP could eventually benefit from exponential liquidity. Critics counter that meaningful allocations may not materialise until 2026, once financial advisers complete due diligence on ETFs. Much depends on macro conditions: a strengthening Bitcoin could lift ETF flows and improve sentiment, while continued weakness may keep XRP range-bound near support.

Key takeaway

Analysts suggest that  XRP’s immediate outlook reflects a battle between ETF-driven optimism and selling pressure from whales and short-term traders. While Ripple’s institutional moves are strengthening the underlying ecosystem, price remains vulnerable to broader market stress. XRP’s next decisive move hinges on whether it can reclaim the $2 region, attract sustained ETF inflows, and ride a potential crypto-wide rebound. These forces will shape the token’s direction heading into 2026.

XRP technical insights

At the time of writing, XRP/USD trades near $2.18, sitting between major resistance at $2.6480 and support around $1.9569. A drop below this support risks triggering forced selling and deeper liquidation flows. A move above $2.6480 or $3.0400 could draw new buyers or prompt profit-taking among early entrants.

The RSI sits near 54, showing a gentle recovery from mid-range levels but providing no strong indication of overbought or oversold conditions. Momentum remains fragile and heavily dependent on the next catalyst.