The cryptocurrency market faced a wave of outflows last week, totaling a hefty $146 million. These losses were largely driven by unexpectedly strong U.S. retail sales, which shook investor sentiment and raised concerns over macroeconomic headwinds. Yet, amid the selloff, one token stood out: XRP. The Ripple-linked asset bucked the trend, recording an impressive $37.7 million in inflows.

U.S. Retail Sales fuel Widespread Crypto Outflows

According to a recent CoinShares report, digital asset investment products saw net inflows of just $6 million for the week. While this figure may appear modest, it masks the dramatic shifts that occurred mid-week after the release of March U.S. retail data.

Retail sales rose 1.4% in March—marking the highest monthly increase in more than two years. The surge was driven by strong demand for automobiles and durable goods, with many consumers acting quickly to avoid the anticipated cost increases tied to new tariffs under President Trump’s trade policies.

These surprisingly strong retail figures fueled fears of inflationary pressures, causing investors to pull back from crypto markets. The U.S. led the exodus with $71 million in outflows. In contrast, other regions such as Europe and Canada reported mild but positive inflows, highlighting a regional divide in sentiment.

Ethereum and Bitcoin Suffer Withdrawals

Ethereum took the brunt of the bearish sentiment, suffering nearly $27 million in outflows. Bitcoin, the market’s bellwether, wasn’t immune either, recording $6 million in net outflows. Analysts suggest that while investors still view Bitcoin as a long-term hedge, they are adjusting portfolios in response to short-term economic signals.

XRP Emerges as a Bullish Outlier

While many tokens were bleeding capital, XRP remained firmly in the green. CoinShares’ Head of Research, James Butterfill, reported that XRP attracted $37.7 million in inflows last week alone. This makes it the third most successful asset year-to-date with cumulative inflows of $214 million.

The surge in interest came as Coinbase’s derivatives platform introduced XRP futures, rekindling excitement around the token. On-chain data also revealed a spike in network activity, with usage nearing 70% capacity late in the week—an indicator that XRP’s ecosystem is gaining traction.

Whales Move as XRP Gains Ground

The bullish sentiment around XRP wasn’t just limited to institutional inflows. On-chain analysis suggests that whale investors have been quietly accumulating the token. This behavior typically indicates confidence in medium-to-long-term growth, especially as XRP gains more legitimacy and utility in the evolving crypto landscape.

Bitcoin Signals Market Maturity

Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s relatively stable performance during the turbulence caught the attention of analysts. Stella Zlatarev, editor at Nexo Dispatch, highlighted that the top cryptocurrency’s lack of volatility during recent macro events suggests a change in how it’s perceived.

“Bitcoin’s ability to weather macro turbulence without the wild swings of previous years suggests institutional investors are treating it less as a speculative punt and more as a strategic asset,” Zlatarev told BeInCrypto.

This shift signals a broader maturation of the crypto market, where digital assets—particularly blue-chip tokens like Bitcoin and XRP—are increasingly seen as legitimate parts of diversified investment portfolios.

Outlook: Can XRP Sustain Its Momentum?

XRP’s standout performance amid a market-wide selloff raises the question: can it continue this upward momentum? With a growing list of use cases, increased institutional exposure, and fresh derivatives offerings from major platforms like Coinbase, the fundamentals are aligning in its favor.

Still, headwinds remain. The broader macro environment is uncertain, and the threat of inflationary pressure from robust consumer spending continues to loom. Furthermore, regulatory clarity in the U.S. remains a wildcard, especially for XRP, which has only recently emerged from the shadow of legal battles with the SEC.

Conclusion

While the crypto market showed signs of fragility under the weight of strong U.S. retail data, XRP’s resilience offers a glimmer of optimism. Its rising inflows, increased network activity, and institutional interest suggest that it may be entering a new phase of utility and adoption. As crypto investors seek assets with long-term viability, XRP may have just made a compelling case for its seat at the table.