XRP News May 18: Why XRP Price Crashed Today, Reasons and Next Move

XRP is having a rough Monday. The coin slipped more than 3% in a single day. It now trades around $1.37, down from $1.42 just hours ago. That's an $85.24 billion market cap — and it's bleeding fast.

So what's pulling it down? Three things happened at once.

XRP News Today: Why Price is Crashing Hard?

Goldman Sachs Quietly Exits — A Big Red Flag?

Goldman Sachs' latest 13F filing dropped a bombshell. The bank fully sold off its XRP and Solana ETF positions in Q1 2026, as per Wu Blockchain.

Source: X Post

Before this, Goldman held roughly $154 million in XRP ETFs. That's gone now.

The bank still holds around $700 million in Bitcoin ETFs. But it also cut its Ethereum ETF holdings by about 70%, down to just $114 million.

Goldman didn't walk away from crypto entirely. It actually increased stakes in Circle, Galaxy, and Coinbase shares. But it trimmed positions in Strategy, IREN, Bit Digital, and Riot. That Goldman Sachs filing sent a signal to the market. When a bank that size exits, others notice.

Citadel Rumours Add to the Noise

You've probably seen it floating around crypto Twitter. Reports claim Citadel holds $1.7 million in XRP ETF exposure — through Bitwise and Canary products.

Here's the catch: no regulatory filing has confirmed this yet.

The rumours come from Crypto Briefing. They arrived months after Citadel Securities backed Ripple's $500 million funding round alongside Fortress. Unconfirmed news can still shake the market. That's exactly what happened here.

US-China Trade Deal: Why Does It Affect XRP?

Global trade news moves crypto markets. On Monday, the White House announced several US-China deals following President Trump's meeting with China's President Xi.

The key points from The Kobeissi Letter:

• China will fix supply chain gaps in rare earths and critical minerals
• Chinese airlines will buy an initial 200 American-made Boeing aircraft
• China will buy at least $17 billion per year of US farm products through 2028
• China restored market access for US beef — over 400 facilities relisted
• China resumed US poultry imports from USDA-certified avian flu-free states
• President Xi will visit the White House this fall

Big trade deals ease global risk fears. When investors feel safer, they often pull money from riskier assets like altcoins.

That pressure hit XRP news today.

XRP ETF Inflows Stay Strong — A Silver Lining

Here's the flip side. Despite the price dip, ETFs are actually pulling in fresh money.

Source: SoSoValue

Per SoSoValue data (as of May 15):

• Daily Net Inflow: $10.87 million
• Cumulative Total Net Inflow: $1.39 billion
• Total Value Traded: $24.20 million

Bitwise led daily inflows at $4.81 million. Grayscale added $1.16 million. Canary brought in $1.06 million. That's the highest weekly inflow level in recent days. Institutional appetite hasn't dried up — even as retail panic selling kicks in.

XRP Price Prediction: What Comes Next?

XRP price sits at $1.37 right now. The key level to watch is $1.30.

Source: CoinMarketCap Data

Bullish case:

• Short term: A bounce toward $1.50–$1.65 is possible if buyers hold $1.30
• Medium term: A breakout above $1.80 could push it toward $2.20–$2.80 during altcoin season
• Long term: Strong institutional demand could drive it above $4 — and even test the all-time high zone near $5

Bearish case:

• Short term: A close below $1.30 opens the door to $1.10 or even sub-$1
• Medium term: Broader market weakness could trap it between $0.85–$1.20
• Long term: Tighter regulation or low liquidity may keep it under $2 for years

Today's XRP news shows a market caught between strong ETF momentum and short-term panic. The numbers still lean positive if you zoom out.

Expert Opinion: Today's price prediction and price drop reflects classic market overreaction to mixed signals. The Goldman Sachs 13F filing is factual and significant — exiting a $154 million position matters. However, the Citadel rumours remain unverified, and reading too much into them is premature. The US-China trade deal is macro news that reduces global risk appetite briefly, but does not directly weaken its fundamentals. What stands out most is the $10.87 million daily ETF inflow — institutional buyers are stepping in even as retail traders sell. Short-term volatility is expected. The medium-to-long-term case depends on Ripple's legal standing, regulatory clarity, and continued ETF adoption, all of which remain active and evolving as of May 2026.

Conclusion

XRP news took a hit today — but it's not a collapse. Goldman Sachs' exit from XRP ETFs, unconfirmed Citadel rumours, and a big US-China trade deal all landed at once. That cocktail spooked the market. Still, ETF inflows hit a weekly high, showing institutional conviction hasn't faded. Watch the $1.30 support. That's the line between a bounce and a deeper fall.

YMYL Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this report is financial, investment, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile. Prices can change rapidly, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Price predictions are speculative and based on market analysis, not certainty. Always do your own research (DYOR) and consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. The author and publisher are not responsible for any financial losses arising from actions taken based on this content.