XRP ETF Landscape in 2025–2026: A Consolidated View

1. Regulatory Momentum

  • Roundhill Trust’s Filing (Dec 31, 2025) Roundhill Trust amended its SEC Form 485BXT to launch an XRP Covered Call Strategy ETF. The product does not hold spot XRP; instead, it generates income through options linked to XRP ETFs. The amendment follows a 30‑day streak of net inflows into U.S. spot XRP ETFs, underscoring continued institutional appetite for structured exposure to the asset. The filing, described by analysts as a “significant step forward for Ripple’s XRP,” also carries inherent limitations—most notably the absence of direct spot exposure, which may constrain upside participation for investors seeking pure price moves.

  • Updated XRP‑Related ETF Document (Dec 31, 2025) Roundhill Investments filed a second update with the SEC, marking a regulatory milestone that coincides with the company’s broader strategy to broaden the XRP ETF ecosystem. While the document’s specifics were not fully disclosed, it reflects the firm’s intent to diversify its product offerings amid growing demand.

2. Inflow Dynamics

  • Sustained Inflow Streaks U.S. spot XRP ETFs have extended a 29‑day net inflow streak, totaling $1.15 B as of Dec 30, 2025. The momentum remains strong despite a subdued price outlook, with the asset’s price hovering below $2. This trend suggests that investors are increasingly allocating capital to XRP through ETFs rather than direct holdings, a shift that may alter the market’s supply‑demand balance.

  • Two‑Day Surge (Dec 31, 2025) Over a two‑day period, investors added 10.8 million XRP to ETFs, pushing the total XRP held in ETFs to 756.13 million tokens, up from 745 million. This influx underscores a continued preference for regulated, custodial access to the token.

  • Weekly Inflows (Dec 30, 2025) The final full week of 2025 witnessed $64 M in net inflows to XRP spot ETFs, the highest among major crypto ETFs that week. Ethereum spot ETFs trailed behind, highlighting XRP’s relative attractiveness to institutional participants.

  • Single‑Day Highlights

  • Bitwise XRP ETF led the day on Dec 30 with a net inflow of $10.47 M, boosting its cumulative inflow to $263 M.

  • Overall, the week’s net inflows reached $15.55 M, reinforcing the narrative of steady institutional absorption.

3. Market Structure and Supply Implications

  • Supply Contraction on Exchanges As ETF activity accelerates, a growing portion of XRP is being removed from exchange‑held supply. Analysts warn that this contraction could trigger a supply squeeze, tightening the market and potentially amplifying price volatility. The dynamic is further intensified by the increasing proportion of XRP held in institutional custody versus retail wallets.

  • Trend Reversal Signals (Dec 30, 2025) Seven consecutive weeks of ETF inflows have tightened circulating supply, creating a defensive demand structure. Technical analysts note that this could support a trend reversal if buyer absorption continues to outpace bearish momentum, potentially pushing the price above the current $1.8 floor.

4. Investor Sentiment and Market Outlook

  • Positive Buzz Investor Paul Barron’s hint at “big news” early in the week reignited speculation about possible forthcoming ETF launches or regulatory approvals. Such chatter fuels market enthusiasm and may attract additional capital flows.

  • Long‑Term Demand Sink The expanding institutional presence via ETFs may serve as a long‑term demand sink, anchoring XRP’s price even if retail sentiment fluctuates. The concentration of institutional holdings could also introduce a more stable demand curve, mitigating the impact of short‑term market swings.

5. Concluding Assessment

The confluence of regulatory filings, sustained inflows, and supply contraction positions XRP ETFs as a pivotal driver of the token’s future trajectory. While the price remains below $2, the underlying institutional infrastructure is maturing, suggesting a potential shift from retail‑driven volatility to a more structured, demand‑anchored market. Investors and market participants should monitor the upcoming regulatory disclosures and the ETF inflow cadence, as these factors will likely dictate the next phase of XRP’s price evolution.