XRP Price Falls Below $1.6: You Won’t Believe What Institutions Are Doing Amid The Crash
Overview
Amid a significant downturn in the cryptocurrency market, XRP has fallen below the $1.6 mark, leading to increased bearish sentiment among retail investors. However, institutional investors appear to be taking a different approach, as they continue to accumulate XRP, highlighting a potential shift in market dynamics.
Institutional Accumulation of XRP
X Finance Bull, a crypto commentator, has pointed out that while retail investors are reacting with panic to the recent price drop of XRP, institutional investors are seizing the opportunity to accumulate the token. The commentary comes at a time when XRP has slipped below the critical psychological level of $1.6, further intensifying negative sentiments among smaller investors.
In a post on X, X Finance Bull noted the contrasting behavior between retail and institutional investors. He emphasized that there have been significant inflows into XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) while Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs are experiencing substantial outflows. This shift suggests a rotation of investment from Bitcoin and Ethereum toward XRP.
Data from SoSoValue indicates that on a recent date, Bitcoin ETFs faced outflows of $1.61 billion, while Ethereum ETFs saw outflows of $353 million. In contrast, XRP ETFs recorded a net inflow of $15.6 million. Although these inflows may appear modest, X Finance Bull underlined the importance of the direction of capital flow, asserting that institutions tend to focus on fundamentals rather than hype in volatile market conditions.
X Finance Bull also highlighted the bullish fundamentals supporting XRP, despite the ongoing market crash. He pointed to the token’s utility in cross-border payments, which addresses a significant financial challenge. Additionally, he noted the upcoming regulatory clarity and established infrastructure that could further bolster XRP’s position in the market. X Finance Bull expects XRP to be among the first cryptocurrencies to recover once the market stabilizes, suggesting that institutional investors, or “smart money,” are already positioning themselves ahead of this anticipated shift.
Potential Price Paths for XRP
Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto has outlined two potential scenarios regarding XRP’s price trajectory following its decline below the $1.60 threshold. The first scenario involves a double liquidity grab, where a relief bounce may occur, followed by a subsequent liquidity sweep before the price potentially expands. Egrag Crypto’s analysis suggests that this second liquidity sweep could bring the price down to around $1.3.
The second scenario posits a direct price expansion, which aligns with historical cycle patterns. Egrag Crypto speculated that if past trends hold true, XRP could see gains of 340% or even 1,600%, reminiscent of previous bull cycles.
From author
The current environment presents an intriguing juxtaposition between retail and institutional investor behavior. While retail investors may be reacting emotionally to price movements, institutions seem to be leveraging this volatility to position themselves for future gains. This divergence could indicate a critical shift in market sentiment and investment strategies.
Impact on the crypto market
- Institutional investors are increasingly favoring XRP as they shift away from Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- The inflow of capital into XRP ETFs suggests growing confidence in the token’s fundamentals.
- Retail investors are experiencing heightened panic, which may exacerbate market volatility.
- The contrasting strategies of institutional and retail investors could shape the recovery trajectory of XRP.
- Regulatory clarity and established use cases for XRP may enhance its appeal as a long-term investment.
Updated: 2/2/2026, 1:00:14 PM