Popular cryptocurrency XRP had a lackluster 2025, starting the year at around $2.32 per token while finishing at around the $1.84 mark.
But in the past 24 hours, the price of XRP has jumped more than 11% to $2.37 per coin—a price not seen since the early part of November.
So what’s driving the rise? Here are the two strongest factors.
Spot ETF inflows are rising
XRP is the native token of the XRP Ledger from Ripple Labs.
Like some other well-known cryptocurrencies, XRP tokens are available to purchase directly or through exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Traditional retail investors tend to prefer to invest in the token through ETFs for convenience and tax advantages.
And recently, the money being put into spot XRP ETFs is rising. (“Spot” means that the ETF holds the asset directly.)
As noted by CoinDesk, spot XRP ETF inflows reached $48 million on Monday alone. An inflow refers to additional money being put into an ETF. This money comes from investors, and the ETF fund managers then use it to buy more of the asset.
Increasing spot ETF inflows suggest that investors have a growing appetite for the asset—in this case, XRP.
Monday’s inflow volume, combined with the inflows of spot XRP ETFs over the past two months, means total inflows have now exceeded $1 billion during that time frame, indicating that investors are bullish on the crypto.
Exchange availability is dropping
At the same time that spot XRP inflows are rising, the availability of XRP on traditional cryptocurrency exchanges, where crypto investors can buy and sell the coin directly, is falling.
CoinDesk says XRP availability on crypto exchanges “has dropped to multi-year lows.” What this means is fewer crypto investors are moving their money to exchanges, where a coin must be if it is to be sold, and instead keeping XRP in their personal wallets.
Investors typically hold an asset when they believe its value will increase, or there will be more demand for the asset in the future.
And by keeping XRP in their wallets and off exchanges, there are fewer tokens available to buy, which increases demand. When demand increases, prices of an asset tend to rise.
Cryptocurrencies are seeing a broader rebound this week
XRP’s spot ETF inflow growth and reduced exchange availability likely aren’t the only two factors behind the token’s 11% surge these past 24 hours.
The first week of 2026 has seen a crypto rally of sorts since the year began, with many major tokens, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, up over the past five days.
During that time, Bitcoin has risen nearly 6%, and Ethereum is up nearly 8%. XRP is up nearly 26% during the same timeframe, its growth likely helped by broader crypto market optimism.
This comes after many tokens struggled to gain ground in December.
Yet despite XRP’s recent growth, the coin is still down about 2% over the past 12 months. It is also down significantly from its all-time high of over $3.65 last July.
With 2026 just beginning, it remains to be seen whether the new year will bring a repeat of 2025’s calendar-year lackluster performance or if XRP will continue moving toward its previous all-time highs.