XRP ETF Inflow Streak Ends as Price Falls Below $1.40

XRP spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have terminated their longest net inflow streak of 2026, marking a significant shift in market sentiment for the digital asset. On 30 April, funds recorded a $5.83 million outflow, abruptly ending a 20-day period of uninterrupted buying that had accumulated approximately $82 million between 10 and 29 April.

The cessation of inflows has immediately impacted the asset's valuation, with XRP slipping below the critical $1.40 support level to trade at $1.38. Market analysts suggest that while daily purchases previously absorbed selling pressure from holders near their $1.44 cost basis, the absence of new buying has left this key technical level vulnerable to broader market weakness and institutional selling.

Throughout the streak, daily ETF purchases ranged from $5 million to $17.11 million, with the largest single-day inflow occurring on 15 April. This sustained demand pushed cumulative net inflows to $1.29 billion, the highest level since mid-January. However, despite these efforts, the funds were never sufficient to breach the $1.45 resistance level, creating a tug-of-war within the $1.40 to $1.44 range.

The removal of this ETF buying pressure has caused the $1.40 level to flip from a support zone to a resistance zone. Historically, the majority of outflows this year have originated from the 21Shares TOXR fund, which remains the only XRP ETF with negative cumulative flows at -$20.70 million. While it is not yet confirmed if TOXR drove the April 30 outflow, the steady daily flow that propped up the price is now gone.

Looking ahead, two specific catalysts could influence future price recovery and the resumption of inflows. The release of Q1 13F institutional filings in mid-May will be closely monitored, particularly regarding Goldman Sachs' holdings, as the bank was the largest known institutional holder in the previous quarter. Additionally, the Senate markup of the CLARITY Act carries a deadline of 21 May, with proponents arguing that establishing XRP's permanent commodity status would provide the legal certainty needed to facilitate billions in future ETF inflows.

Broader market conditions also played a role in the recent decline, with Bitcoin declining from $79,000 towards $76,000 and a general pullback in risk assets contributing to XRP's inability to maintain the $1.40 support even while ETF inflows were active. With no ETF flows recorded on 1 May, the next two weeks will be crucial in determining whether the end of the streak signals a longer outflow slide or merely a pause before renewed buying.