XRP At Risk? Large Holders Stir The Market, Increasing Near-Term Turbulence

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-02-25Last updated on 2026-02-25

Abstract

XRP's price dropped sharply to $1.35 amid a broader crypto market decline, with on-chain activity weakening and increasing bearish pressure. Analysts note a significant rise in whale transactions, including over 31 million XRP moved to Binance in a single day, potentially creating $45 million in sell-side pressure. This activity, combined with Bitcoin's sideways movement and fragile market sentiment, suggests continued near-term volatility and challenges for XRP's recovery. However, spot ETFs for XRP show underlying strength, with major funds like Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, and Canary Capital adding hundreds of millions in exposure, indicating smart money is positioning early for potential future gains.

The broader cryptocurrency market saw a sharp drop today, and the price of XRP took a big hit, falling to the $1.35 level. After a period of downside action, current on-chain activity is weakening, which is hinting at a continuation of the current bearish environment for the leading altcoin.

A Spike In XRP Whale Transfers

XRP’s price is facing heightened bearish pressure following a sharp market pullback on Monday, capping its upward attempts. In the meantime, the activity of large holders is once again drawing attention to the altcoin’s short-term price outlook.

According to a verified CryptoQuant author and analyst, Darkfost, these investors’ activity currently raises short-term risk for the altcoin as data shows a noticeable uptick in whale transactions and sizable wallet movements. Significant capital repositioning by major holders frequently precedes times of increased volatility, particularly in a market already dealing with brittle sentiment.

Darkfost has mainly attributed the ongoing waning of investors’ performance to Bitcoin’s sideways price action. BTC continues to range, triggering limited directional clarity in the short term. This lack of momentum is putting pressure on the broader market, with altcoins like XRP persistently underperforming in the absence of a clear trend.

In addition, this week was notably marked by a significant inflow of the token to the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance. Since the market turned extremely bearish, the platform has remained the go-to exchange for large transactions due to its robust liquidity.

Source: Chart from Darkfost on X

Looking at the data from the chart, more than 31 million XRP were seen being moved to the exchange in a single day, particularly on Sunday. Interestingly, these inflows were primarily spearheaded by activity from the largest investor group.

Wallet addresses holding less than 1,000 XRP and 1,000 to 10,000 holders sent 6,543 and 73,630 of the token, respectively, to Binance. 10,000 to 100,000 holders transferred 2,938,809, those holding between 100,000 and 1 million move 14,236,825, and those above 1 million sent 14,494,865 XRP to the Binance platform.

When taken as a whole, this indicates a sudden potential sell-side pressure of about $45 million that needs to be closely watched. Should this selling pressure persist, the expert believes that the altcoin may struggle to recover from its ongoing correction in the near term.

Spot ETFs Have Not Lost Their Momentum Yet

Even in a volatile environment, the XRP Spot Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) are still displaying momentum. Xaif Crypto, a market expert, shared on X that the newly launched funds are quietly stacking, suggesting underlying strength and confidence.

Over the past 3 months alone, Bitwise added more than $258.97 million of XRP, Franklin Templeton recorded over $329.86 million, and Canary Capital saw inflows of over $105.32 million. While the price seems uninteresting, hundreds of millions are pouring into the altcoin’s exposure. Currently, smart money is positioning early, and this activity could play a role in shaping the altcoin’s next price trajectory.

XRP trading at $1.32 on the 1D chart | Source: XRPUSDT on Tradingview.com

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Related Questions

QWhat is the current price level of XRP mentioned in the article and what is it facing?

AThe price of XRP fell to the $1.35 level and is facing heightened bearish pressure and a continuation of the current bearish environment.

QAccording to analyst Darkfost, what is causing the increased short-term risk for XRP?

AThe increased short-term risk is due to a noticeable uptick in whale transactions and sizable wallet movements, which indicate significant capital repositioning by major holders.

QWhich cryptocurrency platform received a significant inflow of over 31 million XRP, and which investor group was primarily responsible?

ABinance received over 31 million XRP in a single day, and the inflows were primarily spearheaded by the largest investor group (holders of more than 1 million XRP).

QDespite the bearish market, what positive indicator is mentioned regarding XRP Spot ETFs?

AXRP Spot ETFs are still displaying momentum, with major funds like Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, and Canary Capital adding hundreds of millions of dollars in XRP exposure over the past three months.

QWhat is the main factor that Darkfost attributes to the waning of XRP's investor performance?

ADarkfost mainly attributes the waning performance to Bitcoin's sideways price action, which is causing a lack of directional clarity and putting pressure on the broader altcoin market.

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The overarching goal of XRP 2.0 is to establish itself as a reliable and efficient platform enabling swift transaction execution while prioritizing enhanced privacy protections for its users. The project is promoted as a solution to many limitations faced by existing cryptocurrencies, proposing a system that can handle a higher volume of transactions with improved speed and privacy. This versatility positions XRP 2.0 as a significant contender in a marketplace riddled with various digital currencies. Who is the Creator of XRP 2.0? The identity of the creator behind XRP 2.0 has been flagged as ‘Wilbur.’ However, comprehensive details regarding Wilbur or their associated entity remain elusive. The anonymity of many cryptocurrency creators is not an uncommon phenomenon in the industry, often designed to maintain a degree of privacy and security. Who are the Investors of XRP 2.0? As of now, specific information related to the investment foundations or organizations supporting XRP 2.0 is not publicly available. In the cryptocurrency sector, the backing by reputed investors can significantly influence a project's credibility and success, yet the transparency regarding the financial supporters of XRP 2.0 has not been established. How Does XRP 2.0 Work? XRP 2.0 stands out by employing a combination of blockchain technology and advanced encryption algorithms that ensures secure and decentralized transactions. Its innovative structure includes unique features designed to foster user engagement and broaden functionalities beyond conventional cryptocurrency transactions. Among these features, XRP 2.0 incorporates AI-powered capabilities, such as text-to-image and text-to-speech functionalities. These additions are designed to enhance the interactive experience for users, promoting broader applicability across various sectors. By bridging technological advancements with user-centered design, XRP 2.0 aims to capture the attention of a diverse range of individuals and enterprises looking to integrate cryptocurrency solutions into their operational frameworks. Timeline of XRP 2.0 Understanding XRP 2.0 requires examining the milestones that have defined its journey thus far: July 23, 2023: XRP 2.0 is introduced as a novel cryptocurrency project, aiming to revolutionize secure and decentralized transaction capabilities in the blockchain domain. September 8, 2023: The launching of another project, XRP20, occurs, marking the emergence of an ERC-20 token on the Ethereum blockchain that remains unrelated to XRP 2.0. November 13, 2023: The XRP Ledger undergoes a significant update with the release of rippled server software version 2.0.0. It is essential to note that this development is disconnected from the XRP 2.0 cryptocurrency project. 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1.3k Total ViewsPublished 2024.04.01Updated 2024.12.03

What is XRP 2.0

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