Ripple-focused exchange-traded funds recorded another week of net inflows even as XRP's spot price dropped more than 7%, underscoring a widening gap between institutional demand for regulated exposure and the token's near-term price action amid a broader cryptocurrency market sell-off.

XRP ETFs Extend Inflow Streak to 13 Weeks

XRP exchange-traded funds took in $11.31 million in net inflows for the week, according to a CryptoPotato report. The total was split between $3.14 million on October 6 and $8.17 million on October 8, extending the products' run to 13 consecutive weeks without a single week of net outflows — a streak spanning roughly three months of trading for funds that only came to market this year.

Cumulative net inflows into XRP ETF products reached a reported all-time high of $1.8 billion, per the same report. That figure differs from the $983.80 million shown on CoinGlass, a gap that likely reflects different product universes or reporting cutoffs rather than a data error. The divergence is worth flagging for readers who track cumulative totals across multiple sources.

The funds in question are issued by Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, and Canary Capital, all of which launched XRP products this year as part of a broader wave of altcoin ETF approvals. Ripple's expanding institutional footprint, including Brevan Howard's use of Ripple Prime for multi-asset brokerage, adds context to why institutional appetite for XRP exposure has held up.

XRP Price Slides Despite ETF Strength

XRP's spot performance told a different story. The token fell from above $1.51 early in the week to a low of $1.32 on Thursday before partially recovering, leaving it more than 7% lower on a weekly basis, according to CryptoPotato. At press time, XRP traded at $1.41, with a market capitalization near $88.9 billion, per CoinMarketCap data.

The divergence between ETF inflows and spot price highlights a structural distinction: ETF investors are buying regulated fund shares rather than XRP directly. That demand does not automatically translate into buying pressure in XRP's open market, particularly when broader risk sentiment is negative. Questions over whether XRP can reclaim higher levels, including a potential move toward $1.54 following Ripple's 1 billion XRP unlock, remain open given the week's price weakness.

Broader Crypto Slump Frames the Mixed Signals

XRP's pullback came against a deteriorating backdrop for the wider market. Spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $681 million in weekly outflows, spot Ether ETFs recorded $542 million in exits, and Solana funds lost nearly $25 million, according to the same report. Total cryptocurrency market capitalization fell roughly 2.93% over 24 hours, reflecting a market-wide risk-off move rather than an XRP-specific event.

Even so, the crypto Fear & Greed Index held at 61 on its 0-to-100 scale, a reading classified as Greed, suggesting the sell-off has not yet pushed sentiment into fearful territory. That level could support a faster recovery if macroeconomic conditions stabilize, though it also means the market has not fully priced in the week's losses. Ripple's broader product expansion, spanning multi-asset brokerage, clearing, and financing services, may help sustain long-term institutional interest even if spot XRP remains under pressure in the near term.

The week leaves two distinct signals for XRP watchers: sustained institutional buying through regulated ETF wrappers for a 13th straight week, and a spot market that shed more than 7% while peers lost ground across the board. Whether the ETF inflow streak eventually feeds through to spot demand, or whether macro headwinds keep the two diverging, is the question the coming weeks will begin to answer — with upcoming weekly flow figures, XRP's response to Ripple's 1 billion XRP unlock, and shifts in the sentiment gauge offering the nearest checkpoints.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Cryptocurrency and digital asset markets carry significant risk. Always do your own research before making decisions.