XRP News Today: XRP Steadies Above $2 on ETF and Policy Optimism

XRP snapped a three-day losing streak on Saturday, December 13. XRP-spot ETF inflows bolstered demand for XRP,. The token avoided a drop below the $2.0 psychological support level for the first time in three sessions.

Traders also reacted to the OCC’s conditional approval of Ripple’s US-chartered bank license. Analysts expect the banking license to boost XRP’s utility. Meanwhile, the Market Structure Bill’s progress on Capitol Hill added to a bullish short- to medium-term outlook.

Below, I will explore the key drivers behind recent price trends, the medium-term (4-8 weeks) outlook, and the key technical levels traders should watch.

US XRP-Spot ETFs Inflows Signal Supply-Demand Imbalance

US XRP-spot ETFs reported total net inflows of $87.46 million in the reporting week ending Friday, December 12. Five XRP-spot ETFs have seen net inflows of $974.5 million since launch, with a nineteen-day inflow streak.

21Shares launched this week but has yet to register net inflows. However, sentiment toward the demand outlook for spot ETFs is bullish, given the robust institutional demand since launch.

Canary Fund CEO Steven McClurg commented on the early demand for XRP-spot ETFs, stating:

“SOL ETFs launched before XRP, but XRP ETFs have now passed SOL in total AUM. I expected this. SOL is much more efficient to hold on-chain and to stake directly for retail audiences, whereas XRP has more institutional demand and no staking. As with everything, there will be an audience that prefers direct ownership, and an audience that prefers the ease of financial instruments. Some will do both.”

Market Structure Bill Edges Closer to a Senate Vote

The reference to institutional demand for XRP will be pivotal, given the Market Structure Bill’s progress on Capitol Hill.

Crypto analyst Crypto Tice, with over 300,000 followers on X, formerly Twitter, commented on US legislative developments, stating:

“Sens. Gillibrand and Lummis just confirmed the full draft of the new crypto bill will drop. THIS WEEK with hearings and a potential vote… This is the closest the U.S. has ever been to real, nationwide crypto regulation. Clear rules means institutional confidence and real capital flow. 2026 is shaping up to be historic.”

Analysts expect the Market Structure Bill to fuel demand for real utility tokens and expose speculative tokens to downside risks.

For context, XRP soared 14.69% on July 17 after the US House of Representatives passed the Market Structure Bill to the Senate.

Bullish Medium-Term Outlook Hinges on ETFs and Legislation

The Market Structure Bill’s progress on Capitol Hill and institutional demand for XRP-spot ETF flows continue to bolster buyer appetite. However, there are several potential price catalysts in the week ahead, including:

• XRP-spot ETFs see an inflow surge.
• The Market Structure Bill progresses toward a Senate vote.
• US inflation softens, and the US labor market cools, supporting a more dovish Fed rate path.

In my view, these scenarios would support a near-term (1-4 weeks) move to $2.35 and a medium-term (4-8 weeks) climb to $2.5.

Downside Risks to Bullish Outlook

While the short- to medium-term outlook remains bullish, several events could weigh on sentiment. These include:

• The Bank of Japan hikes interest rates and hints at multiple 2026 rate hikes, leading to a yen carry trade unwind.
• The MSCI delists digital asset treasury companies (DATs). Delistings would likely reduce interest in XRP as a treasury reserve asset.
• US Senate challenges the Market Structure Bill.
• XRP-spot ETFs report outflows.

These events would likely drag XRP below $2, exposing the November low of $1.82.

However, in my opinion, sustained XRP-spot ETF inflows, a broadening investor base, and US crypto legislative developments support a longer-term move toward $3.

In summary, the short-term outlook remains cautiously bullish as fundamentals outweigh the technicals. Meanwhile, the medium- to longer-term outlook is constructive.

Financial Analysis

Technical Outlook: EMAs Signal Caution

XRP gained 0.78% on Saturday, December 13, partially reversing the previous day’s 1.30% loss to close at $2.0235. The token outperformed the broader crypto market, which advanced 0.31%.

Despite snapping a three-day losing streak, XRP remained below the 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs), signaling a bearish bias. While technicals remain bearish, fundamentals are increasingly outweighing the technical structure.

Key technical levels to watch include:

• Support levels: $2, $1.9112, and $1.8239
• 50-day EMA resistance: $2.2248.
• 200-day EMA resistance: $2.4529.
• Resistance levels: $2.2, $2.35, $2.5, $2.62, $2.8, $3.0, and $3.66.

Holding above the $2.0 psychological support level would pave the way toward $2.2 resistance level and the 50-day EMA. A break above $2.2 and the 50-day EMA would bring the $2.35 resistance level into view.

Significantly, a sustained break above the 50-day EMA would indicate a near-term bullish trend reversal. A bullish trend reversal would signal a medium-term (4-8 weeks) climb toward the 200-day EMA and the $2.5 level.

Fundamental Indicators: Corporate Interest, ETF Demand, and Legislation

Near-term price drivers include:

• XRP-spot ETF flow trends.
• Blue-chip companies’ views on XRP as a treasury reserve asset.
• The progress of the Market Structure Bill on Capitol Hill.
• MSCI’s decision on DAT listings.
• The BoJ’s interest rate decisions and forward guidance.

Bullish Structure: What Happens if $2.0 Holds?

Avoiding a sustained break below the trendline and the $2.0 handle would open the door to testing the upper trendline. A break above the upper trendline would reinforce the bullish medium-term (4–8 weeks) target of $2.5 and longer-term (8–12 weeks) target of $3.0.

However, a break below $1.8239 would invalidate the medium-term bullish structure.

Outlook: Breaking Clear of $2.0 Support Key to Short-Term Outlook

Legislative developments, US economic data, the Bank of Japan’s looming monetary policy decision, and spot ETF flows will be key for near-term trends. Another upswing in net inflows and bipartisan support for the Market Structure Bill would lift sentiment.

However, US inflation and jobs data will influence the Fed’s rate path. On Friday, December 19, the BoJ’s monetary policy decision will also be crucial, given the lingering risks of a yen carry trade unwind.

To summarize, strong XRP-spot ETF inflows and bipartisan support for the Market Structure Bill support a short-term move to $2.35. Increasing XRP utility and a Senate vote passing the Market Structure Bill would reinforce the medium-term (4–8 weeks) target of $2.5 and the longer-term (8–12 weeks) target of $3.0.

Market disruption from central bank monetary policy guidance remains a downside risk to the bullish outlook.