XRP ETFs Just Saw a 93% Drop in Weekly Inflows While Bitcoin and Ethereum Raked In Hundreds of Millions — Here Is Why XRP Is Getting Left Behind

XRP just dropped 5% while Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana all climbed — and its own exchange-traded funds are barely attracting new money. For a token that was supposed to ride the institutional wave, the numbers tell a different story.

By Diego Rivera | August 10, 2026

The Hook: A Token Left Behind

While the broader cryptocurrency market added 1.4% in value over the past week, pushing total market capitalization to US$2.19 trillion, XRP went the opposite direction. The payments-focused token fell roughly 5% to hover near US$1.03, according to CoinDesk data published on August 10.

That underperformance stands out because every major cryptocurrency gained ground. Bitcoin climbed past US$65,000, currently trading at US$65,072 with a 24-hour change of +0.26%. Ethereum rose to US$1,918.49, and Solana gained to US$76.97 — each adding between 1% and 4% for the week. XRP was the only major token in the red.

For regular investors who hold XRP or are considering buying in, the big question is: why is the market moving up while XRP moves down? The answer involves a mix of regulatory delays, shifting ETF flows, and a market that has found more exciting places to put its money.

On-Chain Evidence: ETF Inflows Are Drying Up

XRP-focused exchange-traded funds still attracted net investor capital for a fourth consecutive week, according to data from SoSoValue. But the numbers tell a story of fading momentum. New capital into XRP ETFs collapsed by roughly 93% week-over-week to approximately US$1 million — a dramatic slowdown from earlier weeks when inflows were significantly larger.

• Bitcoin ETFs pulled in US$853.54 million last week alone — the strongest weekly inflow since mid-April
• Ethereum ETFs attracted hundreds of millions in new capital
• XRP ETFs attracted roughly US$1 million — a fraction of what BTC and ETH funds received

“XRP’s positioning looks patient in its own right, with order flow staying large even as volume metrics turn neutral — quiet absorption rather than capitulation or a confirmed breakout,” said Iliya Kalchev, analyst at Nexo, in an email to CoinDesk.

The takeaway is straightforward: institutional money is still flowing into crypto — just not into XRP. When Bitcoin ETFs are pulling in over US$850 million in a single week and XRP funds scrape together US$1 million, it signals that large investors are making a clear choice about where they see the most upside.

The Core Conflict: Regulatory Limbo Weighs Heaviest on XRP

The most cited explanation for XRP’s underperformance points directly to Washington. The CLARITY Act — the bipartisan legislation that many view as the key to clarifying XRP’s regulatory status and unlocking broader institutional participation — has been delayed by the Senate.

According to multiple reports, a procedural vote on the CLARITY Act is not expected until mid-September at the earliest. The Senate left for recess without advancing the crypto bill, despite earlier optimism that it could pass before the August break. For XRP specifically, this delay matters more than for most other tokens.

Think of it this way: if you are an institutional fund manager deciding where to allocate millions of dollars, you want regulatory certainty. Bitcoin has it — the SEC has approved multiple BTC ETFs. Ethereum has it — ETH ETFs are trading and growing. XRP is still waiting for the legal clarity that would make large funds comfortable going all in. Until the CLARITY Act passes, that uncertainty acts like a speed limit on XRP’s price.

The broader crypto market has learned to trade around regulatory uncertainty. Bitcoin is steady above US$65,000 despite the Senate punting the bill to the fall. Solana has climbed 0.69% in 24 hours with a US$44.8 billion market cap. But XRP, whose value proposition is more tightly linked to its regulatory standing than most tokens, cannot shake off the wait-and-see mood.

Market Implications: What XRP’s Slide Means for Your Portfolio

If you hold XRP, here is what the current situation means in practical terms:

• Short-term pressure likely continues — With no regulatory catalyst until at least September, XRP may continue to lag while BTC, ETH, and SOL benefit from ETF inflows and broader market optimism
• ETF flows are a leading indicator — The 93% drop in weekly XRP ETF inflows suggests institutional buyers are pausing, not accumulating
• The CLARITY Act is the key unlock — XRP has historically rallied on positive regulatory news and sold off on delays. September could be a turning point

Not everyone is bearish. Jake Claver, a qualified family office professional who serves as chairman of Digital Ascension Group, a multi-family office focused on digital assets, has argued that the token is increasingly positioned for a structural role in global finance. “XRP is looking more and more like it will claim its spot as a global bridge asset and possibly be recognized by the BIS as a tier-one asset in the future,” Claver said, referring to the Bank for International Settlements’ highest capital classification.

That long-term thesis has not changed. But in markets, timing matters. Right now, the money is flowing toward assets that offer more immediate upside, and XRP is paying the price for being the token that needs a specific law to pass before it can fully unlock its potential.

The Verdict: Patience or Rotation?

XRP’s current underperformance is not a crisis — it is a waiting game. The token is not collapsing, losing a key partnership, or facing a security breach. It is simply stuck in a regulatory holding pattern while the rest of the market moves forward.

For investors, the choice comes down to two paths. If you believe the CLARITY Act will eventually pass and that XRP’s institutional adoption story remains intact, the current weakness could represent an accumulation opportunity at a lower price. If you need your crypto allocation to work for you now, however, the data suggests that Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana offer stronger momentum and more reliable institutional backing in the current environment.

With Bitcoin steady above US$65,000 and ETF inflows at their strongest since April, the market is signaling where it wants to be right now. XRP holders are betting that September will change the narrative. Until then, the gap between XRP and the rest of the majors may keep widening.

The cryptocurrency market remains highly volatile. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.