$20M Flows, 19 Straight Days — So Why Is XRP Still Stuck at $2?

XRP trades near $2.02 after dropping 19.37% in the last 30 days and holding nearly flat over the last seven days. This narrow range has persisted even as U.S. spot XRP ETFs recorded $20.17 million in net inflows, marking the nineteenth consecutive day of positive flows. The contrast between rising capital access and muted price action has become the defining feature of XRP’s current market phase.

ETF Flows Continue to Build

Data from SoSoValue shows strong inflows across major XRP spot ETFs on December 12. The Franklin XRP ETF added $8.7 million in a single session, pushing cumulative inflows to $185 million. Bitwise’s XRP ETF followed with $7.85 million in daily inflows, lifting its historical total to $213 million. 

Total net assets across XRP spot ETFs now stand at $1.18 billion, while cumulative inflows approach $975 million. The launch of the 21Shares spot XRP ETF under ticker TOXR expands regulated exposure and reinforces the steady flow trend.

Source: SosoValue

Price Compression Defines the Setup

Despite these inflows, XRP price action remains compressed. XRP continued trading around $2.02, while volatility tightens into an ascending triangle structure. Liquidity concentrates within this narrow band, which signals market patience rather than conviction. Traders often watch such compression closely because it tends to precede directional movement once pressure reaches a tipping point.

Source: X

Momentum Indicators Show Hesitation

Technical indicators reflect consolidation rather than exhaustion. The Relative Strength Index hoveres near 42, which signals hesitation among traders instead of oversold conditions. The MACD compressed and drifted toward a potential bullish crossover, though the price did not react immediately. 

This behavior suggests absorption, where incoming capital meets existing supply without forcing rapid repricing. Why would inflows not move the price right away? Markets often require time to complete positioning before price follows.

XRP has shown similar behavior in past cycles, where access and capital expanded first and price responded later. ETF inflows increased exposure and liquidity depth, yet price stays pinned as participants adjusted positions. This pattern supports the view that the market tests resolve during periods of tight consolidation. If inflows persist without follow-through, pressure tends to accumulate beneath the surface.

Fundamentals Expand Beyond Price Action

Ripple’s recent infrastructure progress added weight to the broader setup. The company confirmed completion of the Rail acquisition, which strengthened its end-to-end stablecoin and payments capabilities.

Source: X

Earlier expansions across custody, treasury intelligence, and prime brokerage continued shaping Ripple into a unified digital asset infrastructure provider. Ripple also announced the first European bank adoption of Ripple Payments through AMINA Bank, which extended real-time cross-border settlement across regulated markets. These developments expanded XRP’s utility footprint even as price lagged.

Technical Structure Guides Near-Term Focus

From a chart perspective, XRP defended the lower boundary of a broad rising channel and attempted a rebound from that base. This structure points to a potential upward continuation if price holds acceptance above the channel floor. 

Source: X

The $2.00 to $2.06 zone now acts as a decision area. A rotation toward $2.15 may follow if buyers maintain control. A sustained move below the channel base would challenge this recovery structure and shift focus back to downside risk.

Market Watches Timing Over Direction

At this stage, attention has shifted from growth to timing. ETF inflows, adoption milestones, and infrastructure expansion continue to build, while price remains compressed near $2. XRP’s structure reflects a familiar sequence where fundamentals and capital align first, followed by a delayed price response. 

As compression persists, traders monitor volume, volatility, and reactions near the current range. The next decisive move may depend less on new catalysts and more on how long the market absorbs existing momentum before releasing it.