Key Takeaways
XRP whales are stepping in. The XRP/ETH ratio has bounced 4% after a steep 20% weekly drop. Could Ripple be gearing up to lead the next market rebound?
Ripple [XRP] is standing out in a bullish Q3 for altcoins.
Its recent breakout pushed it close to the 2018 cyclical high of $3.50, marking the first test in seven years. Profit-taking came in hot, with realized gains hitting $1.6 billion, a six-month high.
That triggered an 11% pullback, with XRP dipping below $2.90 and cracking $3 support twice since the peak. The first breakdown came when it failed to hold $3.15-$3.20, giving bears the edge.
Source: TradingView (XRP/USDT)
Whales step in as price swings
Then came the bounce. XRP surged off its $2.70 base with a 22% spike, triggering a short squeeze that blindsided late sellers — a clear signal that buyers are eager to step in on dips.
Now, a similar setup is unfolding.
After breaking below $3 for the second time, XRP dipped 5.96% from $3.35 on the 14th of August. But it quickly rebounded 8.6% to its current level, forming a clean higher low — a strong indication that buying momentum has returned.
In short, even if Ripple looked like a laggard this week, the bounce reignited FOMO and reaffirmed bullish interest.
Source: Ali Martinez
Smart money was active too, scooping 120 million XRP on the dip, and stacking bullish pressure under the tape.
XRP shows relative strength amid market pullback
Ripple showed a key structural shift.
The XRP/ETH ratio bounced off a major support zone, climbing over 6% in under 48 hours—just as XRP printed a green candle while Ethereum [ETH] prints three red candles in a row.
In fact, the rebound is testing a critical Q1 support that previously sparked an 85% ratio rally. The result?
ETH dropped to a multi-year low near $1,440, while XRP stays resilient above $3, showing real relative strength.
Source: TradingView (XRP/ETH)
A repeat leg could be forming.
Even if Ethereum doesn’t collapse again, XRP maintaining key support and relative strength, combined with whales buying the dip and its structural base, puts Ripple in the spotlight for the rest of Q3.
