XRP $2 Price Surge Fueled by SEC Commissioner Exit and ETF Inflows

A single regulatory exit has cleared the path for XRP to reclaim the $2 mark. Driven by the departure of a key crypto-skeptic at the SEC and steady institutional demand, XRP surged over 8% on Friday, reaching its highest level since mid-December.

XRP $2 Price Surge and the Crenshaw Factor

According to Reuters, traders are betting on a friendlier regulatory landscape following the departure of SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw. Crenshaw had been one of the most vocal opponents of crypto spot ETFs and supported the commission's appeals in the ongoing Ripple case. Her exit is seen by many as a green light for more crypto-friendly policies in the first quarter of 2026.

Institutional appetite remains robust. Data from SoSoValue indicates that U.S. spot XRP ETFs recorded inflows of $13.59 million on Jan. 2 alone. Since their debut, these funds have amassed a total of $1.18 billion, signaling that professional investors are tilting their supply-demand dynamics in favor of the token.

Broader Market Outlook: BTC and Altcoin Momentum

While XRP dominated the headlines, Bitcoin maintained its position above $90,000, and Ether hovered around $3,000. The rally extended to the meme coin sector, with Dogecoin (DOGE) and Pepe (PEPE) jumping 11% and 17% respectively. This suggests that the 2026 crypto market is starting with high-risk appetite across multiple asset classes.