Key Insights:
- XRP price slipped despite REX-Osprey’s XRP ETF recording $37.7 Million volume on its first day.
- Ripple whale transfer of 16.4 Million XRP to Coinbase raised selloff concerns.
- Analysts pointed to profit-taking and broader volatility as additional factors.
The XRP price declined despite the XRP ETF recording robust volumes at its launch. On September 18, 2025, REX-Osprey’s XRP ETF, trading under ticker XRPR, posted $37.7 Million in volume on its first day.
That total edged out IVES for the highest day-one natural volume among this year’s exchange-traded fund launches.
Alongside the XRP product, REX-Osprey’s Dogecoin ETF also performed strongly, Bloomberg analyst noted. The DOJE fund drew $17 Million on launch day, ranking within the top five for all ETF debuts in 2025.
Despite this momentum, the XRP market retraced, with analysts citing several possible drivers.
XRP Price Dips as Whale Selloff Fuels Concern
A major factor behind the recent XRP price dip was a large transfer flagged by blockchain monitoring services. Whale Alert tracked the movement of 16,483,919 XRP, worth around $50.1 Million at the time of writing, from an unknown wallet to Coinbase.
Analysts said such transactions often indicate potential selling pressure.
When large volumes of XRP enter exchange wallets, traders interpret the move as preparation for liquidation.
This interpretation can trigger additional selling as market participants anticipate downward pressure on the XRP price.
In this case, the timing of the transfer coincided with early XRP ETF enthusiasm. Analysts said whales may have taken advantage of higher liquidity conditions to secure profits.
The selling pressure from this transfer contributed to the price decline.
Profit-taking After Record Ripple ETF Debut
Bloomberg analyst Eric Balchunas said that the REX-Osprey XRP ETF (XRPR) set a new benchmark for altcoin funds in 2025.
Its $37.7 Million first-day volume demonstrated significant demand for regulated exposure to Ripple coin.
Meanwhile, the strong debut also followed months of anticipation after repeated delays and uncertainty around regulatory approval.
Analysts said the sharp reaction in spot markets was partly due to profit-taking. Investors who accumulated XRP ahead of the Ripple ETF launch may have reduced exposure once the event materialized.
Such “sell-the-news” behavior has been common in crypto markets, where traders often price in catalysts ahead of time.
Meanwhile, profit-taking was also visible in related altcoins that have had their ETFs launched recently.
For context, the Dogecoin ETF also saw strong inflows on launch day. However, it has failed to lift the DOGE price significantly.
Analysts said the behavior reflected investor caution amid broader market uncertainty.
XRP Price Retreats Amid Broader Market Volatility
The recent dip in XRP price comes amid volatility across the broader digital assets space. Bitcoin and Ethereum faced pressure during the same trading session as risk appetite weakened.
Analysts linked the weakness to shifting macro conditions. While the recent Fed rate cut has boosted optimism initially, the momentum failed to continue for long.
With liquidity already tight, any additional selling from large transfers or profit-taking amplified volatility.
Traders said many investors preferred to pause and wait for clearer signals on the direction of the broader market. This pause limited follow-through buying in XRP even as the Ripple ETF debut set records.
At press time, the Ripple Coin price traded lower despite strong inflows into XRP ETF. Analysts described the divergence as an example of ETF activity not always translating into immediate spot market strength.
Can Ripple ETF Inflow Sustain?
The record debut of the XRP ETF was an important milestone for altcoin ETFs in the US market. Its $37.7 Million turnover surpassed all previous XRP-linked funds and showed investor demand for alternative digital asset exposure.
Besides, the $17 Million launch day volume of Dogecoin ETF confirmed that appetite extended beyond XRP.
However, the key question now is whether these flows sustain. Consistent inflows would reinforce confidence in altcoin ETFs as long-term vehicles.
On the other hand, declining activity could suggest that the launch volumes reflected short-term enthusiasm rather than lasting adoption.
The XRP price reaction highlighted how spot markets can diverge from Ripple ETF activity. Large whale transfers, profit-taking, and volatility across crypto all offset the bullish signal from XRPR’s debut.
If volumes remain strong, pressure from whales and short-term sellers may ease. If turnover declines, XRP price may continue to trade under broader market forces rather than ETF-driven demand.
Meanwhile, either outcome will shape expectations for the next wave of altcoin ETF approvals.