XRP pushed back above the $2 level on Friday for the first time since mid-December, extending its early-2026 advance as traders pointed to continued spot ETF inflows and improving U.S. regulatory sentiment.
Data from SoSoValue showed U.S. spot XRP ETFs recorded $13.59 million in net inflows on Jan. 2, lifting cumulative inflows since launch to $1.18 billion. The steady demand has supported XRP’s near-term supply-and-demand balance, even as broader crypto markets continue to trade within narrow ranges.
The rally also comes as market participants reassess the regulatory landscape following the departure of SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw, which some see as reducing resistance to more crypto-friendly policy outcomes. Crenshaw had been among the most outspoken critics of crypto spot ETFs and had opposed the SEC dropping its appeal in the Ripple case, according to market observers.
Policy expectations added to the momentum, with traders pointing to a potential Market Structure Bill markup scheduled for Jan. 15. Anticipation around forthcoming legislation has remained elevated into the first quarter, helping drive XRP’s relative outperformance.
XRP’s strength contrasted with mixed flows across other major crypto ETFs. The same data showed softer demand for bitcoin funds, reinforcing the view that XRP’s gains are being driven by token-specific catalysts rather than a broader risk-on shift.
XRP was last trading just above $2, up around 8% on the day. Bitcoin hovered slightly above $90,000, while ether traded near $3,000, both posting only modest advances.
