$XRP is back at a pivotal level after a sharp rebound from its multi-month support base, with buyers now pushing the token toward $1.50. The recovery has gained fundamental traction as spot $XRP ETFs recorded their strongest weekly inflows since May, while whale accumulation and declining exchange balances point to tightening available supply. With $XRP price reclaiming a key descending trendline, the next breakout could determine just how high $XRP can go through the remainder of 2026, with $2 emerging as the next major test.
ETF Inflows Add a New Source of $XRP Demand
Institutional flows are becoming an increasingly important part of the $XRP price rally. Spot $XRP ETFs recorded approximately $39.78 million in net inflows during the week of August 17-21, marking their strongest weekly inflow since May. Cumulative ETF inflows have reached approximately $1.55 billion, while ETF holdings rose to about 1.01 billion $XRP by August 21. ETF demand accelerated as $XRP moved away from its August lows, providing an additional source of spot demand alongside the broader crypto-market recovery.
Spot $XRP ETFs just saw their best week since May.
— BSCN (@BSCNews) August 23, 2026
Spot @Ripple ETFs are on a four-day net inflow streak, and have recorded a staggering +$39.8M in net inflows this past week.
This is the biggest single-week net inflow the ETFs have seen since mid-May, when they clocked some… pic.twitter.com/7E3eYyVAq5
For $XRP price, the significance is straightforward: sustained ETF accumulation can reduce the amount of readily available $XRP supply while creating a more persistent bid beneath the market. The trend will need to continue, however. A few strong inflow sessions are supportive, but a sustained sequence of positive flows would provide considerably stronger confirmation for the longer-term bullish case.
$XRP On-Chain Data Shows Whale Accumulation
The on-chain picture has also shifted in favor of accumulation. Wallets holding between 1 million and 10 million $XRP accumulated roughly 642 million tokens during August, with around 380 million added during the first week alone. Large-value $XRP Ledger activity also accelerated, with transactions above $1 million increasing approximately 280% in a single 24-hour period during the latest accumulation phase.

Exchange balances are moving in the opposite direction. Tracked exchange wallets held approximately 15.46 billion $XRP as of August 21, down from 15.66 billion a week earlier. Meanwhile, spot ETFs increased their holdings by nearly 20 million $XRP during the same period.
$XRP Price Analysis: $1.50 Breakout Holds the Key to $2
$XRP formed a broad base around the $1.00-$1.10 demand zone before breaking back above its descending trendline. The latest rally has carried price into the $1.45-$1.50 region, which is now the first major test. This zone previously acted as resistance during $XRP’s recovery attempts, making a decisive breakout important for confirming the broader trend reversal.

Above it, $1.60-$1.70 becomes the next upside area. If buyers can sustain momentum through that zone, the chart opens toward $1.80, followed by the psychologically important $2.00 resistance. A move from approximately $1.48 to $2 would represent about 35% upside. A clean breakout above $2 would then expose the $2.20-$2.40 region, where $XRP faced significant supply during earlier stages of the year.
The momentum indicator is the main near-term caution. With RSI already above 80, $XRP could consolidate or retest support before attempting another breakout. That would remain constructive as long as the token holds the reclaimed $1.40-$1.45 zone. A sustained loss of $1.40 would weaken the immediate breakout structure and expose $1.20-$1.25. Below that, the broader $1.00-$1.10 base remains the critical long-term support.
How High Can $XRP Go in 2026?
$XRP enters the final part of 2026 with a considerably stronger setup than it had earlier in August. The technical reversal is being reinforced by positive ETF flows, whale accumulation and declining exchange-held supply, giving the rally a stronger foundation than a purely speculative bounce. The immediate trigger remains $1.50-$1.55. Clearing that resistance could accelerate $XRP toward $1.70 and $1.80, while a sustained move above $2 would shift attention toward $2.50-$3.00.
The critical condition is that the token continues to hold its reclaimed support. If $1.40-$1.45 turns into a durable floor, $XRP has the technical and on-chain setup to make $2 one of the defining price tests of its 2026 cycle.
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