Bullish sentiment across digital assets often fluctuates with price action, but deeper structural trends can point in a different direction. XRP is gaining momentum in 2026 despite recent price dipping, according to a report by Zacks on Jan. 8, positioning the token as a favored institutional crypto trade alongside bitcoin and ethereum. The analysis emphasizes forces extending beyond short-term market moves.

The report links XRP’s rally to a combination of regulatory clarity, institutional access, and market structure. The firm’s analyst wrote:

The dramatic outperformance of XRP stems from three converging factors.

The first involved the August 2025 resolution of Ripple’s dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which lifted a long-standing regulatory overhang that had limited adoption by asset managers. That development enabled firms such as Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and Bitwise to launch spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in November, creating regulated pathways for institutional exposure.

The second factor centered on the durability of inflows. While broader crypto exchange-traded products (ETPs) experienced mixed flows in December, XRP ETFs attracted $483 million during the month and extended a streak of more than 40 consecutive days of net subscriptions. The analyst also emphasized positioning within the digital asset landscape, writing:

XRP is seen as a ‘less crowded trade’ compared to bitcoin and ethereum. With its smaller relative market size, the massive ETF inflows had a more pronounced impact on its price, creating powerful momentum that is likely to have driven the recent surge.

Read more: It’s Happening: Ripple Says XRP Is the Heartbeat of the Internet of Value

Looking forward, the research connects XRP’s prospects to both macro conditions and supply dynamics. The analyst explained:

The outlook for crypto in 2026 hinges on macroeconomic conditions and adoption, but several strong catalysts can be expected to propel XRP ETFs further.

One of the most significant elements involves the absorption of circulating supply through ETF structures. The report notes: “Analysts point to structural supply tightness as a key driver. The $1.3 billion in ETF assets has effectively locked up more than 500 million XRP tokens. If monthly inflows continue at roughly December’s pace, ETFs could remove billions of dollars’ worth of XRP from the circulating supply by year-end, creating scarcity that has historically preceded significant price moves.” The report also acknowledges countervailing risks, including token concentration, volatility, and sensitivity to interest-rate policy, which may influence investor behavior. Even so, the combination of regulatory clarity, persistent institutional inflows, and tightening supply illustrates why research increasingly frames XRP as a favored institutional trade, underscoring how crypto markets continue to evolve beyond a singular focus on bitcoin.

• Why did XRP outperform bitcoin in early 2026?
  XRP benefited from regulatory resolution, strong ETF inflows, and a smaller market size that amplified institutional demand.
• How did the SEC case affect XRP institutional adoption?
  The August 2025 resolution removed legal uncertainty, enabling asset managers to launch spot XRP ETFs.
• What role did XRP ETFs play in price momentum?
  XRP ETFs attracted $483 million in December alone, locking up supply and driving sustained inflows.
• What risks could still impact XRP’s outlook?
  Analysts cited token concentration, volatility, and sensitivity to interest-rate policy as ongoing risks.

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