XRP has pulled back 8% to $1.47 following a broader market downturn, stepping back from its recent peak near $1.65—its highest level since early 2026. Despite the price drop, institutional interest remains robust, driven by persistent spot exchange-traded fund inflows, aggressive whale accumulation, and expanding adoption of Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin.
Whale Accumulation and New ETF Filings
Whales purchased over 1.54 billion XRP within a 96-hour period last week after the failed passage of the CLARITY Act in the United States triggered a price dip. On the institutional front, spot XRP ETFs have posted 10 consecutive green weeks, accumulating approximately $1.75 billion in cumulative total net inflows.
Spot ETF providers already offering products include Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, Canary Capital, 21Shares, and Grayscale, with additional asset managers seeking approval. T. Rowe Price updated its multi-asset crypto ETF filing to allocate a 9.15% weight to XRP. Furthermore, Exchange Listed Funds Trust filed the "CYBER HORNER S&P 500® and XRP 75/25 Strategy ETF" with the SEC to offer investors a combined 75/25 portfolio ratio between equities and XRP. These developments align with broader trends where XRP whales accumulated significant token volume alongside expanded institutional offerings such as Ripple's partnership with Securitize.
Middle East Focus and RLUSD Expansion
At the MESA Forum, Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East & Africa, joined representatives from BlackRock and HSBC to discuss tokenized deposits, money market funds, and stablecoins. Addressing Ripple's native stablecoin, Merrick stated: "Stablecoins: The always-on layer moving value between institutions without existing relationships (why RLUSD was built not to replace bank money, but to let it travel)."
Ripple continues to expand its footprint in the Middle East. In summer 2025, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) officially recognized RLUSD within the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC). Since launching in December 2024, RLUSD's market capitalization has climbed to $2.37 billion, positioning it as the 43rd-largest cryptocurrency and the ninth-largest stablecoin by market value.
Key Takeaways
- Market Price: XRP dropped 8% to $1.47 (via CoinGecko) after touching $1.65, with market analysts eyeing resistance at $1.61 and potential targets between $1.70 and $2.00.
- ETF Progress: Cumulative spot ETF inflows reached $1.75 billion, while T. Rowe Price and Exchange Listed Funds Trust filed new XRP-exposed investment vehicles.
- Whale Buying: Large accounts accumulated 1.54 billion XRP in 96 hours following the CLARITY Act's failure.
- RLUSD Growth: Ripple's stablecoin reached a $2.37 billion market cap following its DFSA recognition in DIFC.
Why It Matters
The sustained buying by whale accounts during a price correction suggests high-net-worth investors view domestic U.S. regulatory delays as short-term accumulation opportunities rather than long-term headwinds. Simultaneously, filings from established legacy firms like T. Rowe Price and Exchange Listed Funds Trust demonstrate an evolving appetite for multi-asset institutional products that blend equities with crypto exposure. Finally, RLUSD's growth to $2.37 billion under Dubai's DFSA framework emphasizes how regulatory clarity in international hubs is accelerating the real-world settlement infrastructure built around the XRP ecosystem.
