XRP Price Forecast; Ripple Fails Again Despite Strong ETF Inflows and Clarity Act Optimism

XRP briefly reclaimed the $1.50 level as optimism surrounding the Clarity Act and rising ETF inflows boosted sentiment, though the rally quickly faded as broader market caution returned.

Ripple Pulls Back Below $1.50 Despite Record ETF Momentum

Quick overview

  • XRP briefly surpassed the $1.50 mark due to optimism from the Clarity Act and rising ETF inflows, but the rally quickly lost momentum.
  • Institutional interest in XRP remains strong, with ETF inflows reaching a record high of nearly $95 million in May 2026.
  • The Senate Banking Committee's advancement of the Clarity Act has boosted confidence in the cryptocurrency industry by establishing clearer regulatory standards.
  • Despite positive developments, broader market volatility and geopolitical risks continue to create caution among investors in the cryptocurrency space.

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XRP briefly reclaimed the $1.50 level as optimism surrounding the Clarity Act and rising ETF inflows boosted sentiment, though the rally quickly faded as broader market caution returned.

Ripple Rally Loses Momentum

XRP moved sharply higher earlier in the week as investors reacted positively to growing momentum behind U.S. cryptocurrency regulation and another surge in institutional ETF inflows.

The token briefly climbed back above the important $1.50 level, fueling hopes that Ripple may finally be resuming the broader bullish trend after a prolonged period of weakness.

However, the rally struggled to hold. XRP later retreated toward the $1.40 region as traders locked in gains and broader risk appetite across digital assets weakened once again.

The pullback highlights how volatile sentiment remains within the cryptocurrency market even as regulatory developments become more supportive.

ETF Inflows Reach Highest Levels of 2026

One of the strongest bullish developments for Ripple has been the sharp recovery in spot XRP ETF demand.

After strong early momentum following their launch, XRP ETFs experienced slowing investor interest during the first quarter of 2026 as market uncertainty increased and cryptocurrency prices weakened.

March became the first month to record net outflows, raising concerns that institutional enthusiasm was fading.

However, sentiment improved significantly in April and accelerated further in May.

According to SoSoValue data, XRP ETFs have already attracted nearly $95 million in net inflows this month, surpassing April’s total of roughly $81.6 million.

The latest week alone reportedly generated approximately $60.5 million in inflows, making it the strongest week for Ripple ETFs since late December.

Cumulative net inflows have now climbed to a record high near $1.39 billion, reinforcing signs that institutional interest in XRP remains substantial despite recent volatility.

Clarity Act Boosts Crypto Industry Confidence

Another major catalyst for Ripple came from Washington.

The Senate Banking Committee voted 15-9 to advance the Clarity Act, a major legislative proposal aimed at establishing clearer rules and oversight standards for digital assets in the United States.

The legislation is viewed as one of the most significant regulatory efforts for the cryptocurrency industry after years of uncertainty surrounding enforcement and compliance.

Support for the bill came from several major crypto firms including Coinbase, Ripple, and Circle.

The proposal also received bipartisan support, increasing optimism that the United States may gradually move toward a more stable regulatory framework for digital assets.

Consolidation Phase Continues

After a steep decline, XRP has spent the past three months consolidating around the $1.40 level, forming a potential base. The token is currently trading near that level, posting modest daily and monthly gains, though it remains down roughly 30% over the past year.

XRP Chart Daily – The 100 SMA Turns into Support

From a technical perspective, price action is stabilizing, with buyers now attempting to push higher. XRP is testing the 100-day moving average, and a break above this level could open the path toward $1.74, where the 200-day moving average sits, followed by a potential move toward $2.

 

Ripple CEO Highlights Institutional Opportunity

Brad Garlinghouse stated that clearer regulation could accelerate institutional cryptocurrency adoption by reducing legal uncertainty for banks, asset managers, and corporations.

Industry leaders continue arguing that clearer oversight would encourage greater participation from traditional financial institutions that have remained cautious about entering the crypto market.

Additional institutional momentum emerged after Intesa Sanpaolo reportedly expanded its cryptocurrency exposure and added positions tied to XRP through the Grayscale XRP Trust.

China and Global Market Risks Continue Creating Volatility

Despite improving regulatory sentiment, broader financial market risks continue weighing on cryptocurrencies.

Investors remain cautious as geopolitical tensions, tighter monetary policy expectations, and growing uncertainty surrounding U.S.-China technology restrictions continue affecting risk assets globally.

China’s ongoing efforts to tighten control over digital finance and accelerate development of domestic blockchain infrastructure also continue creating uncertainty for parts of the broader crypto ecosystem.

At the same time, elevated volatility across technology and semiconductor markets has contributed to more cautious trading behavior across speculative assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Conclusion

Ripple continues benefiting from rising institutional interest, record ETF inflows, and growing optimism surrounding clearer U.S. cryptocurrency regulation. However, XRP’s inability to hold above the $1.50 level shows that investors remain cautious amid broader market volatility, macroeconomic uncertainty, and ongoing global regulatory risks. While the long-term outlook for Ripple may be improving as institutional adoption accelerates, the latest pullback highlights how sensitive cryptocurrency markets remain to shifts in sentiment and risk appetite.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Skerdian Meta
Lead Analyst
Skerdian Meta Lead Analyst. Skerdian is a professional Forex trader and a market analyst. He has been actively engaged in market analysis for the past 11 years. Before becoming our head analyst, Skerdian served as a trader and market analyst in Saxo Bank's local branch, Aksioner. Skerdian specialized in experimenting with developing models and hands-on trading. Skerdian has a masters degree in finance and investment.

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