XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) ETF inflows collapsed from $60.5 million the week of May 15 to zero on May 27, as XRP broke down from a descending triangle wiping out $18.18 million in leveraged positions.

ETF Momentum Fading Fast Heading Into End Of May

The deterioration has been swift. The week of May 8 brought in $34.2 million, followed by $60.5 million the week of May 15. 

The week of May 22 then dropped sharply to $22.04 million before this week collapsed to just $1.55 million and a complete zero on Tuesday—a sharp reversal that reflects the broader cooling of altcoin appetite hitting crypto markets right now.

XRP is up 1.5% after sweeping liquidity at $1.27, a move where price briefly broke below the descending triangle pattern before reversing. 

Moreover XRP spot outflows from exchanges hit $16.54 million, suggesting holders are withdrawing rather than selling—a mild bullish signal beneath the surface volatility.

Long Squeeze Hit Hard But Smart Money Stayed Long

Despite the breakdown, top traders on Binance show a 2.74 long/short ratio, OKX shows 2.80, and top traders sit at 3.0—all leaning heavily long. 

However the broader market ratio sits at 0.90, meaning the wider crowd is net short, creating a split between institutional conviction and retail positioning.

The long squeeze caused $18.18 million in long liquidations against just $993,000 in short liquidations over 24 hours, exposing how fragile positioning remains. 

Open interest holds at $3.01 billion, well below the $10 to $11 billion peak in 2025—which reduces crash risk but also limits explosive upside on any recovery. 

Chart Needs EMA Reclaim To Confirm Reversal

The full EMA stack remains bearish overhead: 20 EMA at $1.3688, 50 EMA at $1.3918, 100 EMA at $1.4621, and 200 EMA at $1.6646.

MACD sits below its signal line with a negative histogram, confirming momentum is still fading.

A bullish trigger requires SAR to flip and price to clear $1.3688, targeting $1.39 then $1.46.

However, rejection at $1.3688 and a loss of $1.3297 support would confirm the liquidity sweep was a dead-cat move, opening a flush toward $1.20 to $1.15.

Image: Shutterstock