XRP ETFs Surpass Bitcoin and Ethereum as Inflows Surge Across Institutions

Institutional investors, especially large funds and asset managers, often move carefully when it comes to cryptocurrency exposure. For years, Bitcoin and Ethereum dominated nearly all institutional inflows because they were considered the safest and most familiar digital assets. Yet, by November 2025, a surprising development began to unfold. Newly launched XRP ETFs started drawing in more money than both Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs combined, marking one of the most unexpected rotations the crypto ETF market has seen.

This shift did not happen overnight. It reflects deeper changes in risk appetite, regulatory clarity, and investor interest in tokens that serve more specialized purposes. After examining the data from the source and comparing it with broader ETF market behavior, the message becomes clear: institutional investors are expanding their view of what belongs in a modern digital asset portfolio.

When U.S. spot XRP ETFs officially launched on November 13, expectations were modest. Analysts predicted gradual inflows over weeks or months. Instead, the rollout quickly became one of the strongest ETF debuts in crypto history outside of Bitcoin.

Canary Capital’s XRPC led the early momentum with an inflow of more than $243 million on its first full trading day. This strong start continued, with several days crossing the hundred-million mark. Across all four issuers Canary Capital, Bitwise, Grayscale, and Franklin Templeton XRP ETFs collectively surpassed $756 million in net inflows within a short period.

The most telling comparison came on December 1. On that day XRP ETFs brought in nearly $90 million, Bitcoin ETFs gained just over $8 million, and Ethereum ETFs recorded more than $79 million in outflows. In simple terms, money was entering XRP while flowing out of ETH and slowing significantly for BTC. This strong early demand shows that institutions were waiting for a regulated, low-friction way to gain exposure to XRP. Once that pathway opened, capital moved quickly.

One major reason behind the accelerating inflows is regulatory clarity. For years XRP sat in a legal gray area, discouraging large institutions from holding or trading it directly. With new frameworks in place and ETF approval secured, the asset now offers a clearer risk profile, making it easier for traditional managers to include it in their investment strategies.

Another advantage comes from XRP’s underlying use case. Unlike Bitcoin, which is largely viewed as a digital form of gold, and Ethereum, which powers decentralized applications, XRP is designed to support fast, low-cost cross-border payments. This payment-focused design creates a different type of value, one that resonates strongly with institutions seeking diversification and exposure to networks tied to real financial infrastructure.

The ETF structure also removes technical barriers. Institutions no longer need to manage wallets, custody, or private keys. Everything is handled within the familiar ETF ecosystem, which aligns with the operational and compliance requirements of regulated firms.

The most important takeaway is that institutional crypto markets are maturing. Instead of concentrating solely on Bitcoin and Ethereum, investors are exploring assets that provide different forms of utility and fit into more specialized themes. XRP’s ETF performance shows that institutions are willing to diversify when an asset meets regulatory, operational, and narrative requirements.

This moment also reflects a broader shift toward acknowledging multiple forms of blockchain value. Bitcoin remains a store of value. Ethereum remains the leading programmable network. XRP is emerging as a strong contender in the payments and settlement segment. Together, they form a more complete and balanced digital asset ecosystem.

XRP’s ETF Success Signals a New Phase in Institutional Crypto Adoption

The rise of XRP ETFs shows that institutional investors are no longer limiting themselves to just Bitcoin and Ethereum. With clearer rules, strong utility, and easier access through ETFs, XRP has earned a place in the portfolios of major funds. This shift signals a maturing market where different digital assets can thrive based on their real-world value and practical use.

As crypto ETFs continue to grow, do you think institutions will keep expanding beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, or will XRP remain a rare exception in this trend?