XRP Price Stalls Near $1 as ETF Inflows and Open Interest Point to Rising Interest

XRP’s price action has been unusually quiet, but activity beneath the surface is telling a different story.

XRP has struggled to move decisively above the $1 level, leaving it among the weaker large-cap cryptocurrencies. Yet recent data points to growing interest from both institutional investors and derivatives traders. This divergence between price and underlying activity has also emerged in XRP’s network data, with activity recently reaching a two-month high. 

Crypto market commentator The Crypto Squire recently highlighted the contrast between XRP’s muted price performance and the activity developing around the asset. 

XRP ETF Inflows Stand Out as Bitcoin and Ethereum See Outflows

One of the clearest signals is coming from the spot ETF market.

XRP ETFs recorded approximately $2.25 million in net inflows last week, while Bitcoin and Ethereum investment products experienced net outflows during the same period.

That divergence is notable because XRP’s price has remained close to the $1 level despite the continued demand for regulated investment products.

The data suggests that some investors are gaining XRP exposure through ETFs even though the token itself has struggled to establish a sustained recovery.

InvestWithD also pointed to the unusual combination of XRP’s subdued price and increasing market activity, describing the setup as potentially significant for the token’s next move. 

However, ETF inflows alone do not guarantee that XRP will rally. The relatively modest size of the flows means they should be viewed as a sign of continued interest rather than evidence of an imminent breakout.

XRP Open Interest Jumps as Traders Increase Exposure

The derivatives market provides another reason for traders to watch XRP closely.

XRP open interest has climbed sharply to around $865 million, indicating that more capital is tied up in outstanding XRP futures and derivatives positions.

Open interest measures the value of active derivatives contracts that have not yet been closed. Rising open interest can indicate increasing participation and leverage, although it does not tell traders whether positions are predominantly bullish or bearish.

That distinction matters.

If XRP breaks higher while open interest continues rising, it could indicate that traders are positioning for further gains. Conversely, a sharp price decline with elevated open interest could increase the risk of liquidations and accelerate the move lower.

For now, the combination of relatively flat spot prices and higher derivatives activity is creating an increasingly interesting setup for XRP.

Binance Launches RLUSD Reward Campaign Featuring XRP

XRP’s ecosystem is also receiving attention through Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD.

Binance announced an RLUSD reward campaign that includes XRP rewards for eligible users holding RLUSD. The campaign adds another connection between XRP and the growing use of Ripple’s stablecoin ecosystem.

The development is important because RLUSD is designed to operate as a dollar-denominated stablecoin within Ripple’s broader digital-asset ecosystem.

The reward campaign does not directly create demand for XRP in the same way as spot purchases or ETF inflows. However, using XRP as a reward gives the token additional visibility among users interacting with RLUSD.

That could become more relevant if RLUSD adoption continues to expand.

Why Is XRP Price Still Near $1?

This is the biggest question facing XRP traders.

On the surface, the token has several positive developments: spot ETF inflows, increased derivatives participation and growing activity around Ripple’s stablecoin ecosystem.

Yet XRP remains close to the psychologically important $1 level.

One explanation is that investors are waiting for greater regulatory certainty before making larger allocations.

The long-running regulatory debate surrounding XRP and the broader US crypto market remains an important factor for institutional investors. In particular, progress on the CLARITY Act could provide clearer rules around how digital assets are classified and regulated in the United States.

Until that uncertainty is reduced, institutional investors may remain selective despite the availability of regulated XRP investment products.

XRP's $1 Level Remains the Key Test

For XRP traders, the $1 level remains particularly important.

Holding above this psychological support would allow the token to continue building a base after its recent weakness. A sustained move above nearby resistance, meanwhile, could provide the first indication that the market is beginning to respond to the improving underlying activity.

On the other hand, losing $1 would weaken the current setup and could encourage additional selling.

The most important signal may therefore be whether rising ETF demand and derivatives participation eventually translate into stronger spot buying.

XRP May Be Building Momentum Beneath the Surface

XRP’s current setup highlights an unusual disconnect between price and market activity.

The token has struggled to move significantly while spot XRP ETFs recorded around $2.25 million in weekly inflows and open interest climbed toward $865 million. Meanwhile, Binance’s RLUSD reward campaign is giving XRP another role within the Ripple-related stablecoin ecosystem.

None of these developments guarantees a rally.

But if institutional demand continues increasing, derivatives participation remains elevated and regulatory uncertainty begins to ease, the current period of low volatility could eventually give way to a larger XRP price move.

For now, $1 remains the level to watch. A sustained break above resistance would strengthen the bullish case, while a loss of $1 could invalidate the near-term recovery setup.