XRP flips BNB – Is massive ETF demand behind this bull run?
For nearly five years, XRP was defined more by courtroom headlines than on-chain utility. That narrative has decisively shifted in early 2026.
By flipping BNB to become the 4th-largest cryptocurrency, XRP signals a structural change in market leadership.
What’s driving the move?
▪ ETF inflows surge
According to SoSoValue, XRP spot ETFs recorded $13.6M net inflow in 24h, pushing cumulative inflows to $1.18B and total AUM to $1.37B.
▪ Institutional rotation
While BTC ETFs saw $471M and ETH ETFs $174M in daily inflows, XRP’s growth is more impactful relative to its size, pulling liquidity away from long-standing rivals.
Technical breakdown
▪ XRP price: $2.07 (+3.84%)
▪ RSI remains in the bull zone (strong momentum, not overbought)
▪ MACD confirms a bullish crossover
▪ Structure favors continuation rather than a short-lived hype rally
BNB comparison
▪ BNB traded near $884.88, down ~1.48% in the same window
▪ Momentum divergence favors XRP in the short to medium term
On-chain signal to watch
▪ XRP balances on centralized exchanges have dropped to ~1.6B tokens
▪ This marks a 57% decline from late-2025 highs
▪ Lowest exchange supply level since 2018, suggesting strong accumulation and reduced sell pressure
Final thoughts
▪ XRP flipping BNB is both a psychological and strategic milestone
▪ ETF-backed demand + tightening supply = strong structural support
▪ If ETF momentum and Ripple’s payments expansion continue, XRP may be entering its most important inflection point in nearly a decade
