Only 1.5 Billion XRP Left on Exchanges As ETFs Trigger Potential 2026 Surge

Institutional demand for XRP is on the rise, especially among ETFs. Currently, some 1.5 billion XRP remain on the market, although some 750 million XRP have been purchased by ETFs and large traders within the past weeks, according to market experts.

Such a swift change in the availability of XRP will result in a supply shock in early 2026. Researchers state this will ultimately result in a more precise discovery of prices.

Source: X

The timing is in line with the “Clarity Act,” which is a national framework to provide guidance on utilizing digital assets in the regulated environment of finance. 

With the number of XRP tokens on exchanges decreasing, institutional investors are seen to play a more significant role because individual investors may find it difficult to purchase XRP.

It is forecasted that XRP will go from being a token for speculation to a fundamental product assisting international settlements in the next four years, till 2026.

Also Read: XRP ETFs Record $1 Billion Inflows Alongside JPMorgan’s Ethereum Push

XRPL Prepares for Post-Quantum Security

While the dynamics in supply chains capture the markets’ focus, there is a technological improvement in the XRP Ledger (XRPL) that might shift the paradigm in terms of crypto security.

The XRP Ledger is improving its transaction security with Dilithium cryptography, which is a lattice-based signature scheme selected by NIST for use in secure systems in the future.

Not many blockchain networks, including those that use elliptic curve cryptography, are immune to post-quantum computers, but XRPL is prepared for the distant future.

Crypto analyst Pumpius believes these updates illustrate a level of long-term thinking, rather than short-term gain. XRPL is concentrated on concepts of finality, identity, zero-knowledge proofs, and settlement architecture, which means XRPL’s ledger is designed for a regulated financial environment for many years into the future.

It’s a forward-thinking approach for a secure, scalable blockchain foundation, positioning XRP at the top of the industry, he said.

2026: From Speculation to Infrastructure

The reduction in offer, coupled with sophisticated designs, may force a shift for XRP. Some analysts believe that 2026 could be the year that XRP transitions from being a high-risk bet to being a world instrument for liquidity.

With more tokens within ETFs and a readiness for quantum-resilient use on the ledger, XRP may become an essential infrastructure layer for cross-border transactions.

Also Read: XRP Approaches Make-or-Break Trend Ribbon, Long-Term Targets $5–$8