XRP Surges 44% in a Week Driven by Korean Demand and ETF Inflows

Key Facts

Amid a broader market environment still dominated by Bitcoin, XRP has emerged as the top performer among major digital assets over the past week. According to reports, the cryptocurrency recorded gains of 43.7% over seven days, leading the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. This surge is primarily attributed to a significant spike in spot trading demand within South Korean markets and sustained inflows into exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Market data indicates that institutional momentum was reflected in U.S. spot XRP ETFs posting six consecutive sessions of positive inflows through August 25, 2026. Per market reports, XRP ranked first in trading volume on South Korea's Upbit exchange early on August 26, accounting for over 16% of total turnover. Additionally, observed outflows from Binance suggest a potential tightening of exchange supply as investors move assets to private custody.

As of August 26, 2026, the market is focused on whether institutional ETF interest and retail demand from South Korea can sustain the current price trajectory. While specific real-time price levels are unavailable in the current database snapshot, investors are monitoring general sentiment following the recent release of the FOMC minutes for broader cues on liquidity and risk appetite in the crypto sector.