KEY TAKEAWAYS
- XRP gained about 26% early in 2026, beating BTC and ETH
- Spot XRP ETFs attracted roughly $1.3B in net inflows
- Exchange balances fell about 45%, shrinking available supply
XRP jumped 26% early in 2026 as ETF inflows reached $1.3B. Falling exchange balances tightened supply and magnified price moves.
XRP opened 2026 with strong momentum, rising about 26% while Bitcoin and Ethereum delivered much smaller gains.
Large investors increased exposure through newly launched spot ETFs, and on-chain data shows exchange-held XRP dropping roughly 45%.
With fewer tokens available for trading and clearer rules in place, price moves became faster and more pronounced, pushing XRP into the spotlight.
Experts at CNBC are now calling it ‘the hottest crypto trade of 2026’.
RECOMMENDED: 5 Reasons to Buy XRP In 2026
ETF Demand Is Changing XRP’s Market Structure
Spot XRP ETFs brought in close to $1.3B since launch, with inflows staying consistent.
ETF buying often locks tokens away for longer periods, reducing the amount actively traded on exchanges.
With fewer XRP tokens available, even moderate buying pressure moved prices more sharply.
In contrast, Bitcoin and Ethereum markets remained deeper and more liquid, which limited short-term upside despite their larger size.
RECOMMENDED: Is It Too Late to Buy XRP in 2026? What Investors Need to Know
Clear Rules And Real Payments Support Growth
Ripple’s regulatory resolution in August 2025 removed years of uncertainty around XRP.
That clarity allowed banks, funds, and custodians to engage without hesitation.
At the same time, XRP continued to see real usage in cross-border payments, where fast settlement and low fees remain valuable.
Rising transaction activity, combined with falling exchange balances, tightened supply and reinforced recent gains.
Why XRP Is Moving Faster Than BTC And ETH
Bitcoin and Ethereum still dominate the market, but their size makes explosive moves harder.
XRP’s smaller float, paired with strong ETF demand, created higher price sensitivity.
When large buyers enter, prices react quickly.
This setup explains why XRP posted stronger gains early in 2026, even as broader crypto markets moved more slowly.
ALSO READ: How to Buy XRP in Canada: Fast, Safe & Simple Steps
Conclusion
XRP’s 2026 strength comes from strong ETF demand, reduced exchange supply, and clearer regulation. These factors created faster price reactions than Bitcoin or Ethereum.
While volatility remains, the data shows XRP benefiting from a market structure that supports sharper moves and sustained attention.
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What other coins could have better potential than XRP in 2026?
There are some coins that stand out with better potential than XRP in 2026, we will be covering a coin with 10X potential in our next members premium crypto alert in the next couple of days
