XRP 2025 Year in Review: $1B ETF Success Amid 13% Price Decline
XRP fell 13% in 2025 despite two major catalysts: the SEC lawsuit resolution and over $1 billion in ETF inflows within weeks of launch. Here's what happened and what it means for 2026.
2025 Highlights
- -August 2025: SEC lawsuit resolution provides regulatory clarity
- -November 2025: First spot XRP ETFs launch in the U.S.
- -$1 billion in ETF inflows within 4 weeks of launch
- -45% of exchange supply withdrawn to ETF vaults
Why Price Fell Despite Inflows
Early investors and whales used the ETF liquidity spike to exit $721 million worth of positions. While institutional money flowed into ETFs, long-term holders took profits after years of waiting through the SEC lawsuit. The selling pressure from existing holders offset new institutional demand.
The Derivatives Factor
Taker buy-sell data in XRP futures has been persistently skewed toward sells. While spot ETF inflows are material, they have not yet overpowered selling pressure in both spot and derivatives markets. XRP currently trades around $1.88, down from highs above $2.00.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Analysts project $10 billion in ETF inflows by 2026 if momentum continues near $200 million weekly. With early holder selling pressure potentially exhausted, and Vanguard's 50 million clients now having access to XRP ETFs, the supply-demand dynamics may shift more favorably in the coming year.