XRP Has Toppled Ethereum In This Category And Is Now Gunning For Bitcoin

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-02-18Last updated on 2026-02-18

Abstract

XRP has surpassed Ethereum to become the second most discussed cryptocurrency among institutional investors, trailing only Bitcoin, according to Grayscale's Head of Research. This heightened interest is reflected in significant inflows into XRP ETFs, which have accumulated over $1 billion in net assets. Despite a broader market downturn, these funds saw $46.69 million in net inflows this month, while Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs experienced outflows. Major firms like Goldman Sachs have invested in XRP ETFs. Analysts attribute this demand to anticipation of regulatory clarity, potentially from the upcoming CLARITY Act. Year-to-date, XRP funds lead with $148 million in inflows, outperforming Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. XRP's price is currently around $1.47.

XRP has surpassed Ethereum in terms of the crypto assets that are most discussed among institutional investors. This comes as its ETFs continue to record notable inflows despite net outflows from Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

XRP Ranks Above Ethereum In Institutional Interest

Grayscale drew attention to its Head of Research, Rayhaneh Sharif-Askary’s statement during the XRP Community Day, in which she revealed that the altcoin is the second most talked about asset behind Bitcoin in some cases. This puts the token ahead of other altcoins, including Ethereum, in terms of crypto assets that are generating interest among institutional investors.

Sharif-Askary noted that advisors are constantly asked by their clients about the altcoin, a development that provides a positive outlook for the altcoin. Grayscale is notably among the crypto ETF issuers that offer an XRP ETF. These funds have seen significant inflows since they launched in November last year.

Wall Street giants such as Goldman Sachs and Jane Street have already disclosed significant exposure to the token through these ETFs. According to Goldman Sachs’ Q4 filing, it currently holds shares in Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and 21Shares’ XRP funds.

SoSoValue data shows that these ETFs currently have net assets of just over $1 billion, which represents 1.17% of the altcoin’s market cap. These funds have also continued to see considerable inflows despite the current crypto market downtrend. This month, they have recorded net inflows of $46.69 million. Meanwhile, the Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs continue to see outflows and are expected to see another month of net outflows.

Crypto pundit X Finance Bull highlighted this demand for the token among institutional investors, noting that they were likely positioning ahead of regulatory clarity. The pundit expects that the altcoin will be one of the major beneficiaries once the CLARITY Act is passed. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has predicted that the crypto bill could be 80% close to signing by April.

The Altcoin Leading In YTD Flows

A CoinShares research report shows that the XRP funds are currently leading Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other crypto assets in year-to-date (YTD) inflows. These funds have seen $148 million in YTD flows while the BTC and ETH funds are in the red at the moment, with YTD outflows of $1 billion and $458 million, respectively.

Furthermore, the Solana funds are behind XRP, with YTD inflows of $99 million. It is worth noting that XRP funds again saw inflows last week, as Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs bled. CoinShares shows that these funds recorded net inflows of $33.4 million. On the other hand, the BTC and ETH ETFs saw outflows of $133 million and $85 million, respectively.

At the time of writing, the altcoin price is trading at around $1.47, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

XRP trading at $1.48 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com

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Related Questions

QAccording to Grayscale's Head of Research, which cryptocurrency is the second most discussed asset among institutional investors in some cases?

AXRP is the second most discussed asset behind Bitcoin in some cases, according to Grayscale's Head of Research, Rayhaneh Sharif-Askary.

QWhat is the total net assets of XRP ETFs as mentioned in the article, and what percentage of the altcoin's market cap does it represent?

AThe XRP ETFs currently have net assets of just over $1 billion, which represents 1.17% of the altcoin's market cap.

QHow do the year-to-date (YTD) inflows for XRP funds compare to those of Bitcoin and Ethereum funds?

AXRP funds have seen $148 million in YTD inflows, while Bitcoin and Ethereum funds have YTD outflows of $1 billion and $458 million, respectively.

QWhich two major financial institutions were specifically named as having significant exposure to XRP through ETFs?

AGoldman Sachs and Jane Street were named as Wall Street giants that have disclosed significant exposure to XRP through ETFs.

QWhat reason did crypto pundit X Finance Bull suggest is behind the institutional demand for XRP?

ACrypto pundit X Finance Bull suggested that institutional investors were likely positioning ahead of regulatory clarity, expecting XRP to be a major beneficiary once the CLARITY Act is passed.

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