XRP has made headlines by rising 25% during the first week of 2026, significantly outperforming both Bitcoin and Ethereum. Currently trading at approximately $2.28, the token has reclaimed the $2.20 level, which had served as a resistance point in the latter part of 2025.
According to reports, four spot XRP ETFs have attracted nearly $100 million in inflows since January 1, contributing to total aggregate inflows of $1.15 billion across all ETFs, with no outflow days registered since their inception. CNBC”s Brian Sullivan referred to XRP as “the hottest crypto trade of the year,” emphasizing its robust performance relative to other major cryptocurrencies.
Investors have shown remarkable interest in XRP ETFs, particularly during the latter part of 2025 when the token was priced lower. This trend stands in stark contrast to the typical behavior observed with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, where investors often react to price changes. Instead, XRP investors appear to have adopted a buy-and-hold strategy that has paid dividends in early January.
Exchange activity also reflects this holding pattern, with XRP reserves on Binance dropping to their lowest levels in two years, suggesting that many investors are opting to hold rather than sell. Furthermore, network activity has surged, with transaction volumes on the XRP Ledger increasing by over 50% in the past two weeks.
In addition to these market dynamics, Ripple Labs recently announced partnerships with key Japanese financial institutions, including Mizuho Bank and SMBC Nikko, aimed at promoting the adoption of the XRP Ledger in Japan. This comes on the heels of Ripple receiving conditional approval to charter Ripple National Trust Bank from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Ripple President Monica Long shared insights on the company”s recent fundraising round, which valued Ripple at $40 billion, describing it as a “very positive and favorable” development. She noted that there are no immediate intentions for an initial public offering.
As regulatory clarity improves, particularly following progress on the CLARITY Act, large-cap tokens like XRP are benefiting from a clearer regulatory framework. Current sentiment among both retail investors and institutional players remains bullish, setting the stage for potential further gains in the near future.
