XRP has recently witnessed a surge in optimistic sentiment, with its bullish-to-bearish sentiment ratio reaching 2.35—its highest in five weeks. Despite this positivity, major crypto players like Bitcoin and Ethereum remain mired in bearish sentiments, leaving many to wonder why XRP hasn’t capitalized on the recent wave of support.
Data reveals that XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have recorded more than 40 consecutive days of inflows, collectively pulling in approximately $150 million year-to-date. These influxes highlight growing institutional interest in the cryptocurrency, contrasted sharply with the outflows seen in Bitcoin and Ethereum products over the same time frame.
In notable developments from international markets, Japan’s SBI Holdings announced the launch of a $65 million XRP-denominated bond—a groundbreaking move, marking the first retail bond of its kind in a regulated market. Furthermore, Aviva Investors, a firm managing over $275 billion in assets, revealed its intention to tokenize funds using the XRP Ledger. This partnership aligns with Ripple’s long-term strategy of integrating blockchain technology into mainstream financial systems.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has also been proactive, securing a seat on the CFTC’s Digital Asset Innovation Advisory Committee. In tandem, three major European institutions with a staggering $3.4 trillion in combined assets have adopted Ripple’s infrastructure this February. These developments come alongside Ripple’s investments, which have approached $3 billion aimed at enhancing custody, brokerage, and treasury services within the crypto space.
Continued ETF Influx Amid Price Consolidation
The momentum seen in XRP ETFs was particularly noteworthy as the Bitwise XRP ETF alone recorded an impressive $3.04 million in net inflows on February 25, raising its total assets under management to $255.98 million. While these inflows reflect a robust institutional appetite, XRP-USD still traded around $1.45—approximately 35% lower than the three-month high.
Despite these positive indicators, XRP faces significant price resistance. Currently hovering near $1.40, the token lies beneath its 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Key resistance levels are identified at $1.51 and $1.60, while immediate support holds around $1.38. Traders are keenly watching these levels, as sellers have repeatedly defended the higher resistance areas, making each bounce back a moment of uncertainty.
$XRP’s measured move target above $15 goes unchanged! The breakout that took place in late 2024 hints at another 10X (>900% Increase) being possible to those price levels… pic.twitter.com/dbuZFcVCvj
— JAVON MARKS (@JavonTM1) February 25, 2026
The drop to a Fear & Greed Index level of 9 echoes the cautious sentiment in the market, the lowest reading since the collapse of FTX. While Bitcoin attempts a recovery, nearing $65,000, XRP has historically exhibited volatility akin to Bitcoin, often moving 1.8 times the magnitude of Bitcoin’s price fluctuations during bearish periods.
A technical assessment signals a Strong Sell for XRP’s Bitwise ETF, suggesting that while institutional support is robust, its price trajectory is less so. The recent rally above the 100-hourly Simple Moving Average may provide temporary relief, yet the pressing question remains: will XRP translate institutional enthusiasm into substantial price movement in the coming weeks?
