After Spot ETF Inflows and Ripple Win, Analysts Say 2026 Is 'Early' for XRP

2025 was a breakthrough year for XRP. The altcoin rode two major catalysts — the launch of spot XRP ETFs and the favorable conclusion of the Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit — that helped spark one of its biggest rallies of the year. Yet despite that momentum, several analysts argue that buying XRP in 2026 could still be considered early-stage. On X, analyst Moon Lambo laid out the case for continued upside, pointing to rapidly growing demand for spot XRP ETFs. According to his tally, the combined net assets under management for all XRP ETFs hit $1.37 billion in under two months after launch — and that figure was amassed with only five spot ETFs live. Moon Lambo estimates those funds consumed roughly 0.7% of XRP’s circulating supply in about 34 days, amounting to roughly 1.14% of XRP’s market cap. Why that matters: ETF accumulation at these levels can create a meaningful supply squeeze, especially if inflows persist. Moon Lambo expects the institutional adoption cycle for XRP to unfold over the next 3–10 years, which would make the current 0.7% held by funds a much larger share over time. That ETF demand has shown up despite broader market headwinds. Following a large liquidation event on October 10, market sentiment has leaned toward “extreme fear,” yet capital continued to flow into XRP spot ETFs even as Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs recorded weeks of withdrawals. The analyst also expects similar demand trends to materialize on centralized crypto exchanges such as Binance and Coinbase as institutional and retail flows normalize. Beyond flows, Moon Lambo points to improving fundamentals: clearer regulatory footing after the Ripple case, growing institutional use cases, and evolving on-chain activity. Taken together, he argues these factors suggest XRP’s adoption runway still has a long way to go. “Even if it doesn’t feel like it right now, you’re early,” he wrote. XRP has been around for 14 years, and proponents say it’s better positioned than ever. If ETF inflows, exchange demand, and on-chain developments continue to accelerate, many analysts believe the token’s next phase of growth could still be ahead. For observers, the key things to watch in 2026 will be ETF inflows, on-chain metrics, and any further regulatory or institutional adoption news. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news