XRP Climbs Above $2 as ETF Inflows and SEC Shakeup Boost Sentiment

XRP rose above $2 on Friday for the first time since mid-December, extending a strong start to 2026 as traders pointed to steady spot ETF inflows and improving U.S. regulatory sentiment.

Data cited by SoSoValue showed U.S. spot XRP ETFs took in $13.59 million on Jan. 2, bringing total inflows since launch to $1.18 billion. That steady demand has helped tilt near-term supply and demand dynamics in XRP’s favor.

Traders also reassessed the regulatory backdrop after SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw’s departure, which some market participants viewed as clearing the way for a more crypto-friendly policy stance. Market commentary said Crenshaw had been among the most vocal skeptics of crypto spot ETFs and had opposed the SEC dropping its appeal in the Ripple case.

Speculation over an upcoming Market Structure Bill markup on Jan. 15 added to momentum, keeping policy expectations elevated into the first quarter and contributing to XRP’s outperformance.

The token’s strength contrasted with weaker demand for bitcoin funds over the same period, suggesting token-specific catalysts rather than a broad risk-on move. XRP was trading just over $2, up about 8%, while bitcoin hovered just over $90,000 and ether traded around $3,000, both only modestly higher on the day.

Key Topics

Crypto, Xrp, Caroline Crenshaw, Sec, Xrp Etf, Sosovalue