In a familiar pattern at the start of the U.S. trading day, the cryptocurrency sector quickly erased any overnight gains, with **Bitcoin** tumbling below **$87,000** as American stocks opened post-Christmas. This poor price action occurred as metals like **gold, silver, copper, and platinum** surged to new record highs, attracting capital that might otherwise flow into Bitcoin amid global economic tensions.

### Bitcoin's Price Drop and Market Context
Bitcoin briefly nudged above $89,000 overnight but quickly fell back, trading at **$87,574.06** and down 1.6% over the past 24 hours. **Ether (ETH)** followed suit, dropping similarly to $2,934.79, while **Dogecoin (DOGE)** and **XRP** led losses with declines of over 4% and 3%, respectively. This slide highlights a broader crypto downturn as metals gain momentum.

### Metals Surge Amid Geopolitical Tensions
The metals rally was led by **palladium and platinum**, both up more than 10%, with silver and copper gaining 5% and gold rising 1.5% to **$4,573 per ounce**. This surge is partly driven by the **debasement trade** and rising geopolitical tensions, including U.S. military actions in Nigeria and pressure on Venezuela, which may be diverting safe-haven flows away from cryptocurrencies.

### Crypto Stocks and Miners Hit Hard
Crypto-related stocks also felt the pressure, with **Coinbase (COIN)** down 2%, while others like **Gemini (GEMI)** fell 6%. Bitcoin miners were particularly hard hit, with **IREN, Cipher Mining, Terawulf, and Marathon Digital** dropping 5% or more. Notably, **Hut 8 (HUT)**, which had recently gained on AI plans, led losses with a 7.5% decline, underscoring the sector's vulnerability even amid diversification efforts.

### Broader Market Sentiment
While metals soared, major U.S. stock indices like the **Nasdaq, S&P 500, and DJIA** traded nearly flat, indicating a selective risk-off sentiment. This divergence suggests that investors are favoring traditional safe-haven assets over cryptocurrencies in the current climate, raising questions about Bitcoin's role as a hedge in turbulent times.

Gold, silver, platinum and copper all surged to new records as metals — not bitcoin — attracted capital on the debasement trade and geopolitical tension.

Bitcoin Stumbles Below $87,000 as Gold, Silver, and Copper Soar to Record Highs: What's Driving the Shift?

Crypto markets are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence for price forecasts. In 2025, several large language models began offering bespoke predictions for major tokens. The current conversation centers on one provocative query: how would 2026 look if U.S. spot XRP ETFs attracted **$10 billion in inflows**?

To answer that, we contrast two AI voices—OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude. These models, often billed as the cutting edge of AI, provide very different answers. Alongside human analysts, they paint a nuanced picture of what might happen to XRP if ETF demand climbs to $10 billion.

## Why $10 Billion in XRP ETF Inflows Could Happen in 2026

![ETF of the cryptocurrency XRP, Ripple.](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/shutterstock-2599351333-medium-licensed.jpg)

U.S. spot XRP ETFs launched in November 2025 and **amassed about $1 billion in assets within their first four weeks**. That pace exceeded early Ethereum ETF adoption and shows investors’ appetite for regulated XRP exposure. ETFs lock purchased tokens into custody, removing them from the circulating supply. In the same period, XRP’s exchange balances fell from 3.95 billion to 2.6 billion—a **45% decline** that shows ETF inflows and whale accumulation have been draining the liquid supply.

However, there are reasons to think inflows could accelerate. By late 2025, more than a dozen asset managers have filed for spot XRP ETFs, suggesting a competitive race for market share. **Legal clarity from the August 2025 SEC settlement** eliminated the most significant barrier to institutional adoption. Banks and investment advisers can now access the token without worrying about securities law complications.

Macro conditions also look supportive. The Federal Reserve began cutting rates in late 2025, and markets expect more easing in 2026. Lower yields push capital into risk assets, including crypto. If these conditions persist, the idea of AI XRP prediction models assuming $10 billion in ETF inflows by late 2026 suddenly looks possible.

To reach $10 billion, XRP ETF inflows must continue at roughly **$375 million per month over two years**. Given the current $112 billion market cap, an additional $9 billion in custodial demand would absorb roughly 4.5 billion tokens at $2 per XRP—removing about **8% of circulating supply** from the market.

## ChatGPT’s Price Prediction if XRP ETF Inflows Hit $10 Billion

![Ai artificial intelligence tool analysis stock market. Investor use smart robot automation technology for analysis graph data for decision trading. Robotic arm pointing at stock chart](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock-2481269921-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)

When asked, ChatGPT projected that XRP would rise to approximately **$4.40 by the first quarter of 2026** without the $10 billion ETF scenario. The model noted bearish macro factors like risk-off sentiment and liquidity outflows from Bitcoin ETFs, but it still expected a modest climb from the roughly $2 trading range. ChatGPT’s baseline forecast appears conservative relative to bull case narratives, reflecting caution around regulatory and macro conditions.

To gauge the $10 billion scenario, we asked the OpenAI model to assume that $10 billion of cumulative ETF inflows occur by December 2026 and that exchange supply declines proportionally. The model incorporated an average purchase price of $2.20 per XRP during the inflow period and a circulating supply of approximately 57 billion tokens.

ChatGPT estimated that absorbing an extra $9 billion in demand would remove roughly **4.1 billion tokens from the market**. With less liquid supply available for trading, the model expects a supply-shock-driven rally. Its updated AI XRP prediction forecasts that XRP could trade in the **$6-8 range** under the $10 billion scenario. This represents nearly a tripling from baseline and shows the impact of sustained ETF demand.

The model explained that a price above $8 would require sustained retail and institutional participation, and continued legal clarity. It didn’t anticipate a parabolic run, in part because it assumes some investors will take profits during rallies. ChatGPT also cautioned that macro headwinds could resurface if central banks resume tightening or if Bitcoin enters another bear market, dragging other cryptos down with it.

## Claude’s XRP Price Prediction: Where the Two AIs Disagree

![AI tools analyze stock market data through dynamic chart visualization to forecast price trends and support strategic investment decisions Latch](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock-2674713703-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)

Anthropic’s Claude AI takes a bolder stance. Claude projected that XRP could **“break into the $5-15 territory” by the end of 2025** and even approach $15 by 2026 if spot ETFs and new banking partnerships gain momentum. This AI XRP prediction is substantially more aggressive than ChatGPT’s baseline.

Claude emphasizes Ripple’s expanding **ODL (On-Demand Liquidity) network** and the potential to capture a larger share of SWIFT’s $150 trillion annual payments market. The model sees ETF demand as a structural shift rather than a short-term liquidity event.

In our hypothetical scenario, we asked Claude to incorporate $10 billion in ETF inflows by 2026. The model responded that such inflows could act as a **“catalytic force” pushing XRP between $8 and $14**. Claude argued that if ETFs hold 4 billion tokens in custody, supply would tighten further than markets expect, leaving little float for speculators.

With potential new banking partnerships and the possibility of XRP being used as a bridge asset alongside **RLUSD (Ripple’s USD-backed stablecoin)**, the model envisions a virtuous cycle. More adoption leads to higher prices, which attracts more attention and drives greater adoption.

A notable difference is Claude’s assumption that as prices rise, more coverage and investor interest will feed on itself, accelerating gains. ChatGPT, by contrast, anticipates profit-taking and a more measured climb. Claude’s willingness to entertain double-digit prices shows a bullish bias that some investors may find unrealistic.

## What Analysts Say About the $10 Billion Scenario

![Crypto investor analyst broker analyzing financial stock trade stockmarket exchange platform indexes digital chart data on computer screen thinking of stockmarket invest analytics risk. Over shoulder](https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/shutterstock-2343417911-huge-licensed-scaled.jpg)

While AI models can crunch volumes of data, analysts offer a different perspective based on experience and market psychology. Seasoned analysts target **$5 to $6 for XRP by the end of 2026**. These experts point to global legal clarity, Ripple’s expanding partnerships, and technical chart patterns as reasons for optimism.

However, analysts temper their projections by acknowledging that many banks still use RippleNet’s messaging without relying on XRP. This means token demand may not scale as quickly as network adoption. Experts see ETFs as additive but not transformative on their own. They argue that $10 billion in inflows would help stabilize price and create a floor near **$2.50-$3.00**, but they caution that price appreciation above $5 will depend on wider adoption of **ODL—the product that actually uses XRP tokens**.

Analysts also emphasize supply. With XRP’s circulating supply around 57 billion, even $10 billion in demand represents only a fraction of the total float. They view the AI XRP prediction numbers as useful thought experiments but urge investors to consider regulatory developments, central bank digital currency competition, and market cycles. Their consensus is that the bull scenario, while possible, shouldn’t be taken as the most probable outcome.

## Which AI Prediction Is More Realistic?

Comparing the two models requires weighing assumptions against market realities. ChatGPT’s cautious baseline reflects current sentiment: risk-off conditions, uncertain macro signals, and modest adoption curves. When incorporating $10 billion in ETF inflows, the model envisions prices rising into the **$6-8 range**—a respectable gain but not a moonshot.

Claude, meanwhile, leans on a more aggressive adoption curve. It assumes that ETFs will trigger a self-reinforcing cycle and that banks and corporate treasuries will embrace XRP for liquidity. This yields its AI XRP prediction range of **$8-14**.

From a value-investing perspective, ChatGPT’s scenario seems more grounded. The model accounts for supply dynamics and acknowledges profit-taking. It also recognizes that about 57 billion tokens remain outstanding, which constrains exponential price moves. Claude’s scenario could play out if a combination of macro tailwinds, regulatory breakthroughs, and network growth converge, but it requires several optimistic assumptions to align.

Investors should view AI predictions as probability ranges rather than certainties. The supply-demand math supports meaningful upside if $10 billion enters ETFs, but the ultimate price depends on factors no model can predict perfectly: regulatory shifts, whale behavior, and whether banks actually start holding XRP instead of just using Ripple’s messaging.

ChatGPT predicts XRP at $6-$8 if ETFs hit $10B. Claude predicts $8-$14. Analysts target $5-$6. Here's why the XRP forecasts differ for 2026.

AI Showdown: ChatGPT vs Claude Predict XRP Price Explosion to $14 with $10 Billion ETF Inflows by 2026

Spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs experienced another round of outflows on December 24 as traders moved into the Christmas break with reduced liquidity and a weaker appetite for risk.

**SoSoValue data** showed Bitcoin spot ETFs posted **$175 million in net outflows** on Wednesday, while Ethereum spot ETFs showed **$57 million in outflows**.

The biggest single-day exit came from **BlackRock’s IBIT**, which saw **$91.37 million leave the fund**. Grayscale’s GBTC followed with a **$24.62 million outflow**.

Ethereum spot ETFs also lost ground. SoSoValue reported **$52.7 million in net outflows** on the day.

**Grayscale’s ETHE** led the selling pressure with a **$33.78 million outflow**, bringing its cumulative historical net outflows to **$5.083 billion**.

The only notable offset came from **Grayscale’s Ethereum Mini Trust ETF (ETH)**, which recorded a **$3.33 million inflow** and has now reached **$1.506 billion in cumulative inflows**.

The pattern fits what tends to happen around major holidays. Trading volumes drop sharply, desks run lighter, and positioning becomes more defensive.

In that environment, even modest orders can have an outsized effect on ETF flows, especially when market makers widen spreads and investors prefer to sit on cash rather than carry exposure through illiquid sessions.

Outflows also do not automatically mean investors are turning bearish. Some flows reflect routine rebalancing, tax management, or rolling exposure between products.

But the direction matters because these ETFs have become a visible proxy for institutional demand. When flows turn negative for several sessions, it reinforces the idea that crypto still behaves like a risk asset that struggles when liquidity tightens.

The biggest single-day exit came from BlackRock’s IBIT, which saw $91.37 million leave the fund. Grayscale’s GBTC followed with a $24.62 million outflow.

Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs See Massive Outflows Before Christmas: Is This a Bearish Signal?

## Bitcoin Briefly Trades at $24,000 on Binance’s USD1 Pair in Flash Move

Bitcoin displayed a shocking **$24,111** on Binance in a sharp wick on the **BTC/USD1** trading pair late Wednesday before snapping back above **$87,000** within seconds, according to exchange data.

![Binance chart showing the flash crash](https://www.coindesk.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2Fs3y3vcno%2Fproduction%2F79d1ce0e4497ebbd6c8ac6a24a261c194a818c85-1080x1706.jpg%3Fauto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)

*(Binance)*

The move did not show up on any other major BTC pairs and appeared isolated to **USD1**, a stablecoin launched by Trump family-backed World Liberty Financial. The pair later normalized, with bitcoin trading back near prevailing market prices.

These sudden **“wicks”** are typically caused by **thin liquidity** - or a possible display issue - rather than a broader crash. New or less-traded stablecoin pairs often have fewer market makers quoting tight prices, meaning the **order book can be shallow**.

A single large market sell, a **liquidation**, or an automated trade routed through the pair can sweep bids quickly, forcing the price to print far below the true market level until buy orders reappear.

Such **dislocations** can also be triggered by temporary pricing issues tied to spread widening, faulty quotes from a market maker, or **trading bots** reacting to abnormal prints.

During **quieter hours**, the effect can be amplified because fewer participants are active to absorb the order flow and restore price parity.

While the wick may look dramatic on a chart, traders generally treat these prints as a **microstructure event** rather than a signal of bitcoin’s underlying direction.

Still, it highlights the **risks** of using thin pairs for execution, especially when stablecoins or trading routes are still building liquidity.

Such sudden price changes are often due to thin liquidity and can be exacerbated by fewer active traders during quieter hours.

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