Institutional interest in XRP is on the rise as major financial players, including Morgan Stanley and Canadian banks, disclose significant positions in regulated exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to the cryptocurrency. This surge in institutional activity coincides with XRP trading at approximately $1.06, where large holders have been actively accumulating tokens amidst a recent price downturn.
Morgan Stanley’s latest Form 13F filing for the second quarter of 2026 reveals positions across several XRP ETFs, including the Franklin XRP ETF, REX-Osprey XRP ETF, and Bitwise XRP ETF. This marks a notable increase from the previous quarter, where the bank reported a modest $15,488 in holdings scattered between the Volatility Shares XRP ETF and Grayscale XRP ETF.
Morgan Stanley Expands XRP ETF Holdings
Rather than holding XRP directly, Morgan Stanley opts for regulated funds, providing them with exposure to XRP price movements through securities that can be traded within traditional brokerage and custody systems. The recent filings indicate a broader allocation strategy across different XRP investment vehicles compared to earlier this year.
The Franklin XRP fund holds both XRP and cash, while the REX-Osprey product offers spot XRP exposure through an exchange-traded structure. This diversified approach underscores Morgan Stanley’s commitment to navigating the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.
Additionally, Canadian banks have also reported smaller yet significant XRP-linked positions. The Bank of Montreal disclosed holdings of 323 shares in the REX-Osprey XRP ETF and 20 shares in the ProShares Ultra XRP ETF, which, while relatively small within their broader $303 billion portfolio, reflect growing institutional engagement.
The National Bank of Canada reported 3,848 shares of the Bitwise XRP ETF, valued at approximately $330,000. The bank’s crypto-related investments also include about $6.4 million in Bitcoin ETF exposure, highlighting Bitcoin’s status as the largest component of their disclosed crypto holdings.
XRP Whales Add 72 Million Tokens as Price Stays Near $1
Meanwhile, large XRP holders, often referred to as whales, have been actively buying tokens during this price correction. Recent reports indicate that these whales accumulated over 72 million XRP within a 24-hour period, suggesting a continuation of the accumulation trend observed amid the market’s broader downturn.
While substantial whale purchases can indicate bullish sentiment, they do not guarantee that XRP has reached its price bottom. Accumulation might represent long-term positioning or opportunistic buys during price dips, and further market pressures could continue to influence XRP’s price trajectory.
Network activity for XRP has also witnessed a significant uptick, with active addresses rising from 23,642 at the beginning of August to 43,543 by August 11, marking an impressive increase of over 84%. This surge in activity occurs while XRP remains at levels not seen since late 2024.
XRP Price Forecast Eyes $5.85 After ABC Correction
Crypto analyst Dark Defender has indicated that XRP may be nearing the conclusion of an ABC correction phase. The analysis suggests that the final part of wave C could stabilize around $1.02, with critical support levels identified at approximately $0.93.
According to Dark Defender, XRP is in the “last moments of a textbook ABC correction,” with expectations of a parabolic price movement forthcoming. However, achieving higher price targets will depend on XRP holding its support levels and breaking through the descending resistance line.
The immediate recovery target is set at $1.88, followed by $2.90, with a longer-term projection reaching as high as $5.85. Yet, to realize this potential, XRP must first clear each resistance level that lies ahead.
