XRP price outlook: can rising ETF inflows push the token above $1.50?

Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Ripple (XRP) are trading cautiously on Wednesday as price action approaches key technical levels across these top three cryptocurrencies.

BTC, the leading cryptocurrency by market cap, has stalled near the key resistance level around $82,000 while ETH holds firm above the key support at $2,275. 

Meanwhile, XRP has recovered from Tuesday’s dip and is now approaching the upper boundary of its descending channel, where a breakout will open the door for further gains.

XRP demand holds firm across retail and institutions

XRP is up by less than 1% in the last 24 hours and is now trading at $1.46 per coin. The positive performance comes thanks to growing retail and institutional demand.

According to CoinGlass, XRP’s futures Open Interest (OI) reads $2.97, reaching a three-month high, up from the US$2.9 billion (approx. $5 billion) recorded the previous day. 

XRP’s OI has climbed 30% from its yearly low of US$2.1 billion (approx. $3.7 billion) recorded in early March.

Further gains would solidify retail investor dominance and increase the chances  of a sustained recovery as risk appetite grows.

In addition to that, institutional demand for XRP continues to grow.

US-listed XRP spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) have also gained traction since Friday, with inflows nearing US$26 million (approx. $45.5 million) on Monday.

The ETFs also recorded an inflow of US$5.2 million (approx. $9.1 million) on Tuesday.

Cumulative inflows stand at US$1.4 billion (approx. $2.4 billion), with net assets under management averaging US$1.2 billion (approx. $2.1 billion).

The surge in institutional and retail interest aligns with steady market sentiment.

The current Crypto Fear & Greed Index rose to 49 in the fear territory on Tuesday, up from 48 the previous day.

Ripple price forecast

Similar to Bitcoin and Ether, the XRP/USD 4-hour price action is currently bullish, thanks to the market’s recent gains.

XRP is trading at $1.46, above the 50-day EMA at $1.41, suggesting tentative near-term support.

However, it remains capped within a broader downward parallel channel and below the 100-day and 200-day EMAs at $1.4959 and $1.7101, respectively, which keeps the broader tone only mildly constructive. 

The momentum indicators suggest a growing bullish narrative.

The RSI is around 57, and a slightly positive MACD reading hints at improving momentum. However, the buyers still need to push XRP above the capped levels to strengthen the bullish case.

If the bullish narrative grows stronger, buyers would encounter immediate resistance at the channel’s upper boundary near $1.47, followed by the 100-day EMA at $1.49.

The 200-day EMA at $1.71 and the horizontal resistance around $1.90 form a more distant supply zone.

However, if the sellers regain control, immediate support is seen at the 50-day EMA around $1.41, with the horizontal floor at $1.30 acting as the next key level.

Failure to defend these key levels would break the recent bullish price action and bring lower support zones into focus.