XRP kicked off the new year with a strong rally and gained attention in U.S. media as a potential standout for 2026, yet spot ETFs recorded their first-ever net outflow.
XRP drew significant attention in the early days of the year, outperforming many major crypto assets and building a strong narrative around its momentum. This performance led to U.S. media commentary highlighting XRP as one of the assets to watch in 2026, reinforcing growing investor interest.
Despite this optimism, the spot ETF landscape delivered a notable signal. U.S. spot XRP ETFs recorded their first daily net outflow since launch. Data shows that roughly $41 million exited five different funds, ending the uninterrupted inflow streak that had continued since November. While most of the outflows were concentrated in a single fund, smaller inflows persisted in others.
According to market analysts, this development reflects profit-taking following the sharp rally at the start of the year. On-chain indicators such as low exchange reserves and sustained network activity suggest that the broader 2026 narrative for XRP remains intact rather than fundamentally weakened.
