The total crypto market cap has climbed to $3.01 trillion, up 0.9% over the past day, with $141.8 billion in trading volume. Bitcoin sits at $85,980.96, Ethereum at $2,750.36, and XRP at $1.54, and behind each of those numbers is a different technical setup.
Bitcoin: Officially Back In A Bull Market, But Running Hot
Bitcoin touched $87,000 this week, breaking above its old May resistance near $82,814, a level analysts have flagged as marking the official return of a bull market. On the daily chart, MACD has crossed bullish and Bitcoin has moved into overbought territory, which is why price has cooled slightly to around $85,500.
The broader structure has followed what’s known as a Wyckoff accumulation pattern, and if that continues to play out, some analysts see a path toward $90,000 to $100,000. Others expect a top closer to $92,000 followed by a retest of the low $70,000s before the next leg higher into 2027. Neither outcome is guaranteed, but both scenarios assume the broader trend has already turned upward.
Bloomberg’s James Seyffart has said the average Bitcoin ETF holder is back above their cost basis of roughly $81,722 for the first time since January, a shift that could bring renewed inflows into major funds like BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETF.
Ethereum: Testing A Level That’s Mattered For Years
Ethereum is trading near $2,750, running directly into resistance at the $2,800 level, a price point that has repeatedly flipped between support and resistance since 2024. Every major move in ETH’s recent history, both up and down, has pivoted around this exact zone.
Ethereum’s 3-day RSI has moved back into overbought territory, and a bearish divergence is beginning to form, where price makes higher highs but momentum doesn’t confirm them. That pattern showed up before Ethereum’s last short-term slowdown weeks ago, and technical watchers expect something similar to play out this week, not a crash, but a cooling-off period. A confirmed close above $2,800 that holds would open the door toward $3,300 as the next major target.
XRP: Room To Run Before Getting Overheated
XRP’s setup looks less stretched than Bitcoin or Ethereum’s. Veteran trader Peter Brandt shared a long-term XRP chart pointing to an eventual target of $5.40. XRP is bouncing from a key support level near $1.30 and now heading toward resistance around $1.60. But it’s not moving as fast as Bitcoin, it’s still stuck testing its old highs near $1.52-$1.53 instead of breaking past them like Bitcoin has.
There’s also a small warning sign forming that could mean a short slowdown for XRP in the coming days, similar to what’s expected for Bitcoin and Solana, before the bigger uptrend likely continues.
Why Altcoins May Be Next In Line
A recurring theme across current analysis is capital rotation. As Bitcoin cools from its overbought stretch, analysts expect liquidity to shift toward Ethereum, XRP, and other altcoins, a pattern historically seen once Bitcoin’s initial leg of a bull run matures. USDT dominance continuing to break down supports that thesis, since falling stablecoin dominance typically signals capital moving off the sidelines and into crypto assets directly.
Story Ends Here
Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
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COIN and HOOD Stock Outlook is drawing attention as cryptocurrency prices strengthen before this week’s Washington talks.
Bitcoin price surged to $86,159, Ethereum holds around $2,755, and XRP trades near $1.58. Their gains support crypto-linked equities, although geopolitical signals could quickly reshape risk appetite.
Trump-Xi Meeting Could Reshape Market Expectations Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit Washington from September 23 through September 25. Their September 24 summit will address trade, tariffs, rare earth exports, artificial intelligence, Taiwan, and Iran.
Oil remains the clearest link between diplomacy and markets because China buys most Iranian crude exports. Washington sanctioned smaller Chinese refiners but avoided measures against major state banks before the negotiations. Any signal that Beijing may reduce Iranian imports could pressure Tehran to negotiate.
THIS WEEK’S TRUMP-XI MEETING COULD MOVE OIL, INFLATION, AND THE FED ALL AT ONCE.
Xi arrives in Washington tomorrow for a three day state visit, the first Chinese state visit to Washington in over a decade.
Talks run through September 25 at the White House.
This is the third… pic.twitter.com/CWooVMu59G
— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) September 22, 2026
Such progress could ease concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and push crude prices lower. Lower oil prices would ease inflationary pressures, which could affect the Fed’s interest-rate outlook.
Any progress, no matter slight, could help support stocks and cryptocurrencies, as markets tend to react before formal agreements are decided. However, confrontation over Taiwan, tariffs, or technology controls could reverse sentiment and strengthen demand for defensive assets.
HOOD Stock Tests Key Resistance Near $125 Robinhood shares rose 0.84% to $124.33 after recovering from weakness below $120 during early trading. The stock then cleared $123.30 as volume increased, showing stronger demand after the opening bell.
Immediate resistance stands near $125, which remains the main barrier for extending the current rebound. A sustained breakout could send HOOD toward $127 before traders consider the broader $130 objective.
HOOD stock That scenario may gain support if summit developments lower oil prices and improve expectations for monetary policy.
Lower borrowing costs generally benefit growth shares by increasing the present value of anticipated future earnings. Higher risk appetite could also be good for Robinhood, as it could lead to more trading activity on stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies.
However, failure to hold $123.30 would weaken momentum and expose nearby support around $122.50. A deeper retreat could return the stock toward $120, where its latest recovery began.
COIN Stock Seeks Recovery Above $201 Level Coinbase stock fell 0.67% to $199.70, underperforming Robinhood after a volatile opening and an overnight rebound from below $195. Shares struggled above the $201.05 reference level, reflecting uncertainty despite Bitcoin’s renewed strength near $86,000.
COIN stock must reclaim $201.05 to improve its immediate technical structure and challenge resistance around $202.50. Breaking that ceiling with strong volume could open a move toward $205 and confirm firmer short-term momentum.
COIN stock Crypto stock will remain important because transaction activity and investor sentiment influence Coinbase’s trading revenue. The Trump-Xi outcome could affect those conditions through oil, inflation, interest rates, and broader demand for risk.
Positive diplomatic language may help Coinbase follow Bitcoin higher, particularly if traders expect fewer rate increases. Still, weakness below $197.50 would shift attention back toward $195 and undermine the developing recovery. The COIN and HOOD Stock Outlook therefore depends on both technical breakouts and Washington’s diplomatic direction.
XRP is trading near $1.52 as the wider crypto rally brings fresh buying into leading altcoins. The token has held its key $1.50 psychological level, while whale accumulation and stronger market momentum have helped support the move.
XRP is now one of the large-cap names traders are watching as the market searches for the next breakout.
The XRP price prediction for 2026 depends on whether buyers can push through the $1.70 resistance zone. A successful move above that level could strengthen the path toward higher targets and add more energy to XRP’s longer-term recovery story.
At the same time, some buyers are looking for a lower-priced project before it reaches the open market for 10x return potential.
The MemeToro presale gives them that early-stage angle. It is building an AI-powered BNB Chain launchpad designed for memecoin creators and traders.
XRP’s $1.50 Support Builds a Stronger 2026 SetupXRP’s ability to hold above $1.50 matters because this level has become an important psychological base for traders. The token has bounced from its recent support zone and stayed above its key moving averages. This shows that buyers are stepping in as the broader altcoin market improves.
The next major level is $1.70. If XRP breaks through and holds above that price, it could unlock a stronger 2026 move. Current short-term models place a more conservative year-end level near $1.62, but the market can reprice quickly when resistance becomes support.
The long-term XRP price prediction is even more exciting. Technical trader Peter Brandt has discussed a possible $5.40 macro structure if historic resistance clears. Other long-range projections point toward levels near $5.88 by 2030, while broader institutional adoption models have placed much higher levels in view.
XRP already has an established market, active traders, and a recognizable payment-network story. That gives it a very different profile from a presale.
Price targets remain market scenarios rather than fixed outcomes, but XRP’s current support defense gives buyers a clear bullish level to watch as the 2026 rally develops.
MemeToro’s AI Launchpad Creates a New BNB Chain Growth StoryXRP is an established altcoin with a live trading market. MemeToro is creating a new opportunity around AI-supported memecoin creation on BNB Chain. Its planned AI agent is designed to help users turn rising online trends into complete token-launch packages.
The AI system is intended to scan news, social discussion, and cultural trends for concepts gaining attention. It can then help creators prepare a token name, visual direction, distribution setup, and funding mechanics. This makes the process easier for creators while giving MemeToro a clear reason to attract repeat platform activity.
The planned AI workflow includes:
spotting fast-rising social and cultural narrativesgenerating a token concept and supporting media directionhelping creators set allocations and funding termsconnecting approved rules with a fair-launch structureThis is a powerful use case in a market where new memecoin narratives can emerge overnight. MemeToro is positioning itself as the platform that helps creators move quickly while giving buyers a clearer view of how a launch is structured. If the platform captures strong creator interest, $MT could benefit from activity across launch tools, platform services, and trader discovery.
Public Fair-Launch Code Gives $MT a Stronger Utility CaseMemeToro’s planned ecosystem brings several features together:
AI-powered launch preparation for creatorspublic fair-launch mechanics and contribution rulesfuture memecoin trading and discovery tools$MT access, transactions, staking, and rewardsprediction markets and a crypto news hub$MT is intended to be the utility layer behind these services. The 1.2 billion token supply includes a large public-sale allocation, while marketing and partner tokens have a stated 24-month vesting schedule. Public-sale tokens are described as having no vesting and being claimable at launch.
Final WordsXRP has built a strong 2026 setup by defending $1.50 and turning attention toward the $1.70 resistance level. A breakout would add new force to the token’s recovery story and could bring its larger long-term targets back into focus. XRP remains a key name for buyers who want exposure to a major, established altcoin.
MemeToro offers a different path with far more early-stage upside potential. $MT is available at $0.00430 in Stage 7, the presale has passed $145K, and the project is building AI launch tools supported by public fair-launch code.
With planned creator features, trading, staking, prediction markets, and news tools, MemeToro is positioning $MT as a BNB Chain utility token built for the next major memecoin cycle.
FAQsWhat is XRP’s next major resistance level?XRP is holding above $1.50, with $1.70 acting as the next important resistance level. Clearing it could strengthen the 2026 breakout setup.
What does MemeToro’s AI agent do?The AI agent is designed to scan trends and help creators prepare token concepts, branding, allocation structures, and fair-launch settings.
What is MemeToro’s current presale price?$MT is priced at $0.00430 in Stage 7. MemeToro reports that it has raised more than $145K.
Cover image via depositphotos.com Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available.
A price divergence has emerged in the payments-focused altcoin market. The Stellar token (XLM) and XRP, historically linked by their shared technological roots and co-founder Jed McCaleb, are reacting differently to current market activity.
Fresh data by TradingView shows that XLM's price rise is being powered by net buying momentum, while XRP's advance is being held back by heavy technical resistance.
The key price dividing line this week has been the 50-week moving average (50-week MA). XLM broke above this level on volume and established itself around $0.2123–$0.2151, opening the way for its price to test the next local high at $0.2227.
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Stellar (XLM) vs XRP weekly price charts analysis on September 22, 2026, Source: TradingViewAt the same time, XRP's advance ran into a similar 50-week MA around $1.55–$1.5730. Sellers blocked further movement, leaving a long upper wick on XRP's chart and forcing the momentum indicator to flatten into a horizontal plateau.
Meanwhile, the assets' market scales reveal a colossal gap: XRP holds fifth place in the global ranking with a market capitalization of $97.62 billion and a trading volume of $7 billion, while XLM sits only in 16th place with a market capitalization of $7.41 billion and a trading volume of $424.06 million.
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The market valuation gap is more than 13-fold, underscoring the strictly local nature of Stellar's technical superiority at the key 50-week barrier.
Hidden turnover. Where did Stellar get the money for the breakout?Perhaps the different behavior of the charts is rooted in on-chain nuances within the networks that may be influencing the order book. Stellar currently has $3.33 billion in real RWA capital distributed across 21,124 active addresses, while the XRP Ledger demonstrates complete centralization: just 264 wallets share $456.64 million, and the bulk of the supply is locked in custodial storage.
As a result, Stellar processes $8.94 billion in stablecoin volume every day, creating constant retail demand to buy XLM to pay fees. The XRP chart is stuck below its 50-week MA simply because its actual buying flow is trailing Stellar's current pace.
Not financial or tax advice. PANews content is strictly educational and informational and is not investment advice, financial advice, tax advice, legal advice, or a solicitation to buy or sell any digital asset, security, or financial product. Do your own research and consult qualified advisers.
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On September 22, the cryptocurrency market hovered near the $3 trillion capitalization mark after a powerful short squeeze sent Bitcoin surging toward $87,400. Forced liquidations totaled $557.79 million, with shorts absorbing approximately 70% of the losses. Data from CoinGlass pointed to BTC and ETH perpetual contracts taking the brunt, with $242.47 million and $100.83 million in losses respectively.
Massive capital inflows drive market surgeMarket sentiment was buoyed by an unprecedented inflow of U.S. capital: SoSoValue reported that spot ETFs attracted more than $1.9 billion within 24 hours. Bitcoin led with $1.36 billion, while altcoins also saw significant investments—Solana received $257.25 million, Ethereum took in $223.51 million, and XRP gained $45.54 million. Hyperliquid’s HYPE token reached a fresh all-time high near $96.
As Bitcoin stabilized in the mid-$85,000s, Binance users experienced a temporary squeeze in USDe, which dropped to $0.92 before recovering. The event was linked to an anticipated wallet upgrade on the exchange, and analysts assessed it as a temporary liquidity shortage rather than a systemic risk.
With external catalysts fading, major market participants are increasingly focused on internal liquidity and technical analysis. Strategic shifts among institutional and retail traders are expected to define the direction of digital assets in the coming days.
Binance cuts illiquid USDC pairs, invests in CircleBinance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, announced the removal of 19 low-liquidity USDC trading pairs from both spot and margin markets. The delisting forms part of a broader cleanup targeting pairs with thin liquidity.
At the same time, regulatory disclosures show that Binance acquired 1,237,011 Class A shares of Circle for $100 million, at a price of $80.84 per share. This transaction also includes a five-year commercial agreement, under which Circle will pay Binance monthly fees to promote USDC via modular smart-wallet integration.
Trading restrictions will be phased in: spot trading for seven USDC pairs will end on September 25 at 03:00 UTC, while 12 cross-margin and isolated margin pairs will be removed three hours later. The affected tokens include AIXBT, DOLO, ENJ, HUMA, SXT, TNSR, TURTLE, MANTA, BANANA, SSV, NOM, STO, 1MBABYDOGE, and OPN. Isolated margin borrowing will be disabled beforehand, and remaining positions will be liquidated by Binance if not closed manually.
The assets themselves remain tradable, with users gaining continued access via USDT, FDUSD, and BTC trading pools. Margin traders and bot users have been urged to close their positions ahead of the deadlines to avoid automatic settlement.
EventDate/Time (UTC)ActionAffected Pairs/AssetsSpot trading haltsSept 25, 03:00DelistingAIXBT/USDC, DOLO/USDC, ENJ/USDC, HUMA/USDC, SXT/USDC, TNSR/USDC, TURTLE/USDCMargin trading terminatesSept 25, 06:00All pairs removedMANTA, BANANA, SSV, NOM, STO, 1MBABYDOGE, OPN (all vs USDC)Mini dictionary: Circle is a US-based financial technology company known for issuing the USDC stablecoin and developing blockchain-driven payments and treasury infrastructure for businesses and institutions.
Binance will delist 19 low-liquidity USDC pairs but trading for the assets will continue via other major pools such as USDT, FDUSD, and BTC. Users are advised to close margin and bot positions before the removal deadlines to avoid forced liquidation.
XRP’s decisive breakout, cleaner technicalsXRP, the token used by fintech company Ripple, broke out of a five-week symmetrical triangle pattern and jumped 5.5% during the week. The asset moved past $1.50, briefly testing resistance at $1.55 to $1.57, and remained steady in the $1.51–$1.54 range. This development reflected a market shift away from legal speculation tied to the SEC and CFTC, and back toward technical trading metrics.
Supported by Bitcoin’s momentum, XRP buyers surpassed a critical psychological threshold. Traders are monitoring the $1.55–$1.56 resistance, with a weekly close above signaling a firm uptrend and converting former resistance into a support level.
Technical analyst Peter Brandt, who leads The Factor Report, shared a chart projecting a long-term target of $5.40 for XRP but clarified that he currently owns only Bitcoin. Macro investor Raoul Pal noted that retail traders should focus on probabilities and solid technical analysis over assumptions of guaranteed profits.
XRP’s weekly close above $1.55 would confirm the bullish breakout scenario, reinforcing the market’s technical structure after weeks of uncertainty.
While a failed breakout could send the price back toward $1.40, the overall trend remains bullish unless a significant reversal takes place.
Shiba Inu struggles at 50-week moving averageShiba Inu (SHIB), a cryptocurrency inspired by the popular meme culture, saw its “Bull Combo” technical setup produce an 8.61% gain since formation. The pattern, which features bullish RSI divergence and a reclaim of the 23-week moving average, has stalled just below the 50-week MA near $0.0000064.
Despite exhausted sellers and renewed liquidity, SHIB could not yet surpass this resistance level. For upward momentum to continue, buyers must establish support above the 50-week MA.
The next technical hurdle is the 200-week moving average at $0.0000122, which has typically marked key reversal points for the token. Until a clear breakout occurs, large holders have accumulated an additional 468 million SHIB at the current bottom, seeking to capitalize if the trend resumes.
Mini dictionary: The Bull Combo technical setup refers to the simultaneous appearance of multiple bullish indicators on a price chart, such as a positive divergence in the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the reclaiming of an important moving average, which together signal a potential upward trend.
Market watchers are waiting to see if bulls can reclaim the 50-week MA in the coming days, which would open the path to further gains or risk reducing the pattern to a routine rebound.
XRP price has jumped 3.80% to $1.53 in the past 24 hours, beating the overall crypto market. Following this jump, veteran trader Peter Brandt shared a long-term chart pointing to a possible 260% to $5.40 price target.
But before that target comes into play, the token faces a much closer test around $1.60.
Peter Brandt Sees XRP Price Reaching $5.40Legendary trader Peter Brandt has shared a long-term monthly chart of XRP on X, pointing to a potential price target of $5.40.
This is my long-term chart of ripple:native It implies an eventual advance to $5.40
A claim of a "call" or simple presentation of a chart is NOT a trade People who claim "trades" need to provide proof or else the claims are BS An X post is NOT proof pic.twitter.com/Szu6FiZq2T
— The Factor Report (@PeterLBrandt) September 21, 2026 Brandt’s chart shows XRP breaking above a major resistance trendline that has capped its larger price moves since the 2018 all-time high. The chart also shows XRP holding above long-term exponential moving averages, supporting the bullish setup.
From the current price near $1.52, the $5.40 target represents around 260% upside. However, Brandt did not provide a time frame for the move.
Brandt also warned traders not to treat his chart as a trade recommendation. Also, he made it clear that sharing the chart does not mean he is recommending a trade.
He wrote, “A claim of a ‘call’ or simple presentation of a chart is NOT a trade.”
XRP Faces Resistance Near $1.60While Brandt is focused on the long-term outlook, crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez has pointed to a major short-term price zone.
Crypto analyst Ali Martinez said the UTXO Realized Price Distribution chart shows relatively little resistance before $1.60, where around 2.5 billion XRP previously changed hands. He identified this area as the next major level where some traders could take profits.
At the same time, whale activity is adding more attention to the rally. Martinez further said that large holders accumulated about 1.54 billion XRP worth roughly $2.2 billion in 96 hours.
XRP Price Outlook – What To Watch Out ForFor now, XRP, holding above $1.50, remains important. If the price stays above this level, it could retest the recent high near $1.57, with the next target at $1.61 based on Fibonacci levels.
However, a break below $1.50 could push XRP toward $1.47.
The upcoming XRPL “Batch” upgrade is another event to watch, with activation expected after September 29.
Story Ends Here
Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
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MMCrypto Is Back on XRP, Says “I Am Trading This Bounce.”
Top Bitcoin trader MMCrypto is now focusing on XRP, sharing a nine-year XRP chart suggesting the token is starting another bounce after recovering from its August low.
MMCrypto wrote on X:
I am Trading this Bounce [very risky]
Trading Opportunity on XRP The chart shows XRP’s 9-year long-term price pattern, with two trendlines coming together. MMCrypto believes XRP’s recent price move up from the lower trendline offers a trading opportunity. Meanwhile, he warned that it is very risky.
XRP had fallen below $1 earlier this year, hitting $0.978 in August. It then recovered strongly, climbing to around $1.70 by the third week of August, a gain of about 72%.
The rally later slowed, and XRP dropped about 26.6% to $1.2468. It then recovered again, moving above $1.57 as of yesterday, its highest price for September so far.
At the time of writing, XRP was trading around $1.52, up 6.6% in 24 hours and 8.86% over the past week.
MMCrypto Returns to XRP Trading Notably, MMCrypto is talking about XRP again after not publicly sharing an XRP trade since September 2025.
In a post from September 13, 2025, he showed an 11x leveraged XRP trade that he entered at around $2.31. When XRP was trading near $3.16, the trade had made more than $1.78 million in unrealized profit, or about 401%.
That trade happened when XRP broke above $3 during the 2025 crypto market rally. Since then, XRP has fallen sharply, dropping below $1 in August before starting its recent recovery.
This means MMCrypto is returning to XRP under very different market conditions. His new chart shows two long-term trendlines: one rising and one falling. XRP is currently trading near the rising trendline, which MMCrypto sees as the possible starting point for another bounce.
Bitcoin Move Adds to Crypto Recovery XRP’s recovery is happening at the same time as Bitcoin is moving higher. Bitcoin rose above $87,000 yesterday, reaching its highest level in about nine months. This has also helped the wider crypto market recover.
Bitcoin’s performance is important for XRP because XRP often moves dramatically when BTC price soars. If the overall market continues to recover, it will support XRP’s move higher.
However, MMCrypto called the XRP setup “very risky,” meaning he is not saying XRP will keep rising.
Traders Debate Timing of XRP Bounce Responses to MMCrypto’s post highlight the mixed sentiment surrounding the setup. One X user, @Ripplesinwales, joked that “Hell has frozen over” as Bitcoin maximalists resume posting about XRP trades.
Hell has frozen over ! – Bitcoin maxis
posting about ripple:native https://t.co/oneXs4j2mZ
— Ripples 🏴☠️ 🪖 (@Ripplesinwales) September 22, 2026
Another user, Majid Mansuri, argued that traders should wait for a correction before entering, pointing to Bitcoin’s price action as a potential risk factor for the XRP trade.
Meanwhile, @xrpcommuni654 highlighted the significance of the nine-year chart, writing that the bounce setup was risky but “definitely one to watch closely.”
Absa Corporate and Investment Banking, the corporate and investment arm of one of Africa’s largest banking groups, launched Absa Digital Asset Custody on Monday, going live with an institutional platform for safekeeping digital assets built on Ripple’s custody technology. Announced by Absa CIB on X as “a digital first for Africa, built to institutional standards,” the rollout comes roughly eleven months after the bank first unveiled its partnership with Ripple in October 2025.
Bank-Grade Custody for Institutions The platform gives institutional clients a regulated environment to safeguard digital assets and manage private keys to institutional standards. Absa describes the service as covering safekeeping, key control, approval controls and audit trails, a vault rather than a trading venue. Ripple’s managing director for the Middle East and Africa, Reece Merrick, said the launch lets Absa “set a new benchmark for secure, compliant, and bank-grade digital asset management on the continent.” Absa has not yet disclosed which assets it will hold, its fee schedule or its first clients. The go-live lands as South African regulators push crypto firms into a licensed regime, and months after a Gauteng High Court ruling found bitcoin is “clearly money” under exchange-control rules.
From Partnership to Live Product The go-live completes a rollout that began when Ripple named Absa its first major custody partner in Africa on October 15, 2025. At the time, Robyn Lawson, Absa’s head of digital product for custody, said the bank chose Ripple’s technology because it “meets the highest security and operational standards.” Ripple has kept expanding its custody offering since, including enhanced features for Ripple Custody aimed at fintechs and crypto businesses. For now, Absa’s product page directs prospective institutional buyers to its sales desk.
Ripple’s Africa Push For Ripple, the launch deepens an African footprint that already includes payments technology for Chipper Cash and the rollout of its RLUSD stablecoin through local partners. The custody platform joins the firm’s wider XRP Ledger ecosystem, as Ripple works to anchor institutional digital-asset adoption across the continent. Ripple says its broader business holds more than 60 regulatory licenses and registrations, and earlier this year its custody unit added Securosys hardware security modules and Figment staking.
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On Monday, seasoned trader Peter Brandt forecast a potential fourfold jump in XRP’s (CRYPTO: XRP) price as the fifth-largest cryptocurrency regained momentum.
Brandt shared a long-term monthly chart of XRP on X, which projected an “eventual advance” to $5.40, citing trend channels and moving averages. This represents a potential upside of 257%.
Brandt, a technical analyst with nearly 50 years of experience, stressed that presenting a chart is not a trade recommendation or “call.”
Buy What Happens in the Short Term?editorial.benzinga.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1653468&action=edit
Meanwhile, Ali Martinez, another renowned chartist and cryptocurrency trader, highlighted that XRP whales had been heavily accumulating tokens lately
Martinez added that there may “still be room to run,” citing data from the Unspent Transaction Output Realized Price Distribution chart.
The indicator maps out the exact price levels where existing coin supplies last moved or were acquired on-chain.
“The URPD shows relatively little resistance ahead until $1.60, where roughly 2.50 billion XRP previously changed hands,” Martinez stated. “That’s the next major level I’m watching for potential profit-taking.”
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Will XRP Bulls Remain in Charge?XRP has climbed 6.82% over the past week, supported by broad optimism in the cryptocurrency market and developments within its own ecosystem.
Ripple said asset managers and commercial projects are preparing to use a major XRP Ledger payments upgrade nearing activation. Its structure allows linked transactions to settle or fail together, supporting use cases such as delivery-versus-payment.
Moreover, the SEC’s push to build a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency after the CLARITY Act’s failure has reignited bullish sentiment, also driving XRP higher.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator, which compares the 12-period and the 26-period exponential moving averages, flashed a “Buy” signal for XRP, according to TradingView.
Conversely, the Bull Bear Power indicator, which measures the strength of buyers and sellers, signaled a “Sell.”
Price Action: At the time of writing, XRP traded at $1.51, up 6.40% in the last 24 hours, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
Brandt's Long-Term Chart Points to $5.40Veteran trader Peter Brandt has published a long-term monthly chart of $XRP suggesting the token could eventually reach $5.40, a level that would represent a gain of more than 250% from where it traded when he shared the analysis.
The $5.40 target remains a technical projection derived from chart structure rather than a fundamental catalyst, and Brandt himself drew a clear distinction between a public forecast and an executed trade.
Broader Market Rally Adds FuelThe chart was published against a backdrop of recovering crypto markets.
Despite the enthusiasm, the path to $5 is not straightforward.
As always, chart-based price targets are one input among many.
Sources:
Bitcoin.com News: XRP Jumps 8.7% as Peter Brandt's Chart Signals Advance to $5.40
Benzinga: XRP Will Advance to $5.40? Veteran Trader Peter Brandt Shares Long-Term Forecast
24/7 Wall St.: Bitcoin Just Hit an Eight-Month High But XRP Is Still 38% Below Its January Peak
Veteran commodity trader Peter Brandt has outlined a substantially higher long-term price target for XRP, arguing that the cryptocurrency’s technical structure could eventually support a move to $5.40.
"This is my long-term chart of $XRP,” Brandt wrote on X. “It implies an eventual advance to $5.40."
The target would represent a roughly 260% increase from the $1.50 area where XRP is currently trading.
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The cryptocurrency jumped almost 9% on Sept. 21 before giving up a small portion of those gains.
Brandt, however, was careful to stress that the chart should not be interpreted as an actual trade recommendation.
What Brandt's chart showsBrandt's chart uses monthly XRP/USDT candles, giving the analysis a considerably longer time horizon than the daily or hourly charts typically used for short-term price predictions.
A descending resistance line extending from the 2018 peak converged for years with an ascending support line originating around the 2020 lows. XRP eventually moved through the upper boundary of this structure during its latest major advance.
After surging above $3, XRP entered a lengthy correction. Brandt's chart now shows the cryptocurrency trading around $1.49 while consolidating underneath its 18-month moving average, which sits close to $1.88.
This means that Brandt's $5.40 projection is clearly not based on an immediate breakout from current levels. XRP would first have to reverse the substantial correction that followed its previous rally and regain several important technical levels.
XRP volatility expectations surgeAs reported by U.Today, Coinbase Markets recently estimated that XRP options were pricing in a one-standard-deviation move of approximately 8.9% through Sept. 27.
This was the largest expected move among the major cryptocurrencies included in Coinbase's comparison, ahead of Solana's 8.0%, Ethereum's 6.9% and Bitcoin's 5.0%. XRP's implied move was also about 1.79 times its historical median seven-day move.
At the same time, positioning has become increasingly tilted toward bulls.
Some XRP market observers have also pointed to cumulative volume delta turning positive as the price pushed through $1.50.
Dom Kwok, co-founder of EasyA, recently sparked renewed speculation around XRP’s long-term prospects with a cryptic message posted on X. Using the phrase, “slowly then all at once,” Kwok drew immediate attention from XRP’s online community, reigniting discussion over his prior public target for XRP’s future price.
Ongoing Confidence in $1,000 GoalKwok has become known for his consistent assertion that XRP could rise to $1,000 by 2030. This forecast was most recently reiterated just a day before his latest statement, in which he wrote that “$1,000 is more likely than ever.” Without directly referencing XRP in his most recent post, the four-word phrase was widely understood by followers to signal his conviction about XRP’s trajectory.
His persistent messaging has resonated particularly strongly among XRP holders. In 2025, Kwok previously encouraged one frustrated investor to “hold XRP until it reaches $1,000” after the user highlighted difficulty using the asset for everyday payments. The directive cut through user frustration and emphasized patience as the path toward major gains.
Kwok’s assertion that the price movement will arrive “slowly then all at once” has cemented a sense of anticipation within the XRP community. His continued references to a long-term target have strengthened his reputation for conviction among investors.
The new post triggered swift and wide-ranging engagement. Some members of the XRP community took to X to express their readiness for a potential sudden rally, with long-term holders noting they had been waiting for years for just such a milestone event. Others expressed curiosity about the timing, openly asking for more specific predictions.
Feedback on Kwok’s timeline varied. While a share of users interpreted the comment as validation to remain steadfast in their holdings, several questioned when exactly the anticipated breakout might occur or whether the target could be achieved by 2030. A number of replies also speculated that some investors could exit the market before such a dramatic price shift, potentially missing significant profits if the sudden rise materializes as described.
Not every response has been optimistic, with a subset of the community suggesting that projections of sudden, massive gains for XRP have recurred repeatedly over recent years. Emphasizing the need for caution, these commenters noted the speculative nature of such predictions in the absence of concrete catalysts.
Meme Token Dynamics and Broader Market TrendsAs participants track XRP and other established assets, the dynamics of the meme token market continue to draw attention for their volatility and investor behavior. In these rapidly shifting markets, a surge of online enthusiasm can result in significant financial movement in just days.
For example, data from Fomo App highlighted a notable trade involving “Niu Lai,” where a $99 outlay was transformed into approximately $370,000. The case underscores how, beyond price monitoring, keeping track of timing and which tokens investors are backing can provide valuable insights. Fomo App serves this niche by combining token discovery and trading with features like social feeds, investor rankings, and trade notifications, helping users follow both trending meme tokens and investor activity in real time.
Focus Remains on $1,000 TargetKwok’s latest post follows a pattern of sequenced statements, lending further weight to his high-profile outlook for XRP’s long-term appreciation. He remains steadfast that $1,000 is attainable, drawing both support and skepticism among observers due to the ambitious target.
The community’s immediate and often emotional reaction to Kwok’s phraseology highlights a persistent sense of anticipation and debate about the timeline and likelihood of a dramatic XRP price increase.
As price discussions intensify, market participants may continue monitoring closely for both technical developments and influential community commentary to inform their decisions. Whether or not XRP approaches the cited $1,000 threshold, market sentiment remains sharply divided on the path forward.
Key Takeaways Veteran analyst Peter Brandt identifies a technical pattern suggesting XRP could reach $5.40, with this target potentially achievable within the next year. The digital asset is currently changing hands around $1.44, representing a gain of approximately 4% in the last day and exceeding 8% growth over a three-day period. Major holders accumulated approximately 1.54 billion XRP tokens valued at $2.2 billion during a 96-hour window, per Santiment tracking data. The XRP Ledger’s Batch V1.1 network enhancement has secured approval from 30 out of 35 validators, with potential implementation expected around September 29. US-based spot XRP exchange-traded funds have accumulated approximately $1.7 billion in total net capital inflows. As of September 21, XRP is hovering around the $1.44 mark, posting gains of close to 4% during the previous 24-hour period. The token has maintained positive momentum for seven consecutive trading sessions.
XRP Price This upward trajectory coincides with Bitcoin’s surge past the $81,800 threshold, registering gains exceeding 5% across the past week. The aggregate cryptocurrency market capitalization increased by roughly 1.7% during the equivalent timeframe.
XRP’s performance has exceeded broader market trends throughout this week. Substantial wallet holders initiated accumulation after the asset rebounded from the $1.24 to $1.26 price corridor.
Santiment’s on-chain analytics reveal that whale-tier addresses acquired approximately 1.54 billion XRP tokens during a 96-hour span. The combined value of these acquisitions approached $2.2 billion based on prevailing market rates.
This accumulation activity elevated the monitored whale cohort’s aggregate holdings to approximately 9.81 billion XRP tokens.
Market observer Ali Martinez, operating under the handle Ali Charts on the X platform, highlighted this purchasing behavior in a recent analysis. He noted that XRP advanced 8.22% over three days following the whale acquisition of tokens exceeding $2 billion in value, and that blockchain data indicates minimal selling pressure until the $1.60 level, where approximately 2.5 billion XRP previously traded hands. Martinez identified $1.60 as his next monitored threshold for potential distribution activity.
XRP RALLIES AFTER WHALES BUY. WHERE NEXT?
Recently, whales accumulated more than $2 billion worth of $XRP.
Now that demand appears to be showing up in price, with XRP rallying 8.22% in just three days.
But on-chain data suggests there may still be room to run.
The URPD shows… https://t.co/yWD0rDhj2X pic.twitter.com/wjiQ9hLz8R
— Ali Charts (@alicharts) September 21, 2026
CryptoQuant’s metrics additionally documented roughly 1.6 billion XRP tokens entering Binance during the previous 30-day window. This represents the largest transfer volume registered since March.
Blockchain Enhancement Approaches Activation The XRP Ledger is approaching implementation of its subsequent protocol upgrade. Network validators are consolidating support for the Batch V1.1 amendment.
The enhancement proposal has garnered endorsement from 30 among 35 monitored validators. This surpasses the 28 affirmative votes required to satisfy the protocol’s 80% approval threshold.
The amendment initiated its activation countdown on September 15. Implementation could occur approximately September 29 assuming sustained validator support.
RippleX indicates that institutional fund managers and enterprise-level projects intend to utilize Batch functionality upon deployment. The specific organizations have not been publicly disclosed at this time.
Spot XRP exchange-traded funds operating in the United States have continued attracting capital. These investment vehicles have accumulated approximately $1.7 billion in aggregate net inflows.
Total assets under management in these ETF products approached $1.39 billion as reported on September 17.
Critical Technical Thresholds XRP is currently trading above all four principal daily exponential moving averages. The 20-day EMA is positioned around $1.368, in close proximity to the 200-day EMA at $1.356.
This is my long-term chart of ripple:native It implies an eventual advance to $5.40
A claim of a "call" or simple presentation of a chart is NOT a trade People who claim "trades" need to provide proof or else the claims are BS An X post is NOT proof pic.twitter.com/Szu6FiZq2T
— The Factor Report (@PeterLBrandt) September 21, 2026
The 50-day EMA rests near $1.303, while the 100-day EMA sits approximately at $1.268. A decline beneath $1.35 would bring these support levels back into consideration.
On the Binance exchange, liquidation heatmap data reveals concentrations of leveraged trading positions near $1.45 and $1.47. Beneath current pricing, position clusters are located around $1.38 and within the $1.36 to $1.37 range.
A daily candle closure above $1.45 would bring the Donchian Channel upper boundary near $1.50 into view. Breaking through that resistance could establish a trajectory toward the $1.54 to $1.55 zone.
Veteran commodity trader Peter Brandt has set a long-term price target of $5.40 for XRP, suggesting the cryptocurrency’s technical foundations support the possibility of a multi-year advance to this level. Brandt shared his analysis on X, noting that the current technical structure could eventually lead to a significant rally from current prices.
Technical factors and price trendsXRP, the digital asset associated with Ripple Labs, is trading around $1.50 after a recent surge that saw prices climb nearly 9% on September 21 before a slight pullback. Brandt’s chart utilizes monthly XRP/USDT candles, providing a long-term view in contrast to the short-term focus of daily or hourly charts.
Brandt’s analysis centers on the convergence of two significant trendlines: a descending resistance line dating back to XRP’s 2018 peak and an ascending support line forming near the 2020 lows. According to Brandt, XRP recently broke above the upper boundary of this technical structure during its latest major advance.
After surpassing $3 previously, XRP entered a prolonged correction. Brandt’s current chart shows the cryptocurrency consolidating around $1.49, just below its 18-month moving average near $1.88.
Brandt emphasized that, while the long-term chart indicates an eventual move to $5.40, this should not be interpreted as a trade recommendation. The target suggests a potential 260% increase from current levels, but the path would likely require XRP to overcome the correction that followed its previous rally and reclaim multiple technical benchmarks.
Volatility and market positioningRecent data from Coinbase Markets shows that XRP options were pricing in a one-standard-deviation move of approximately 8.9% through September 27. This was the highest expected volatility among major cryptocurrencies, ahead of Solana at 8.0%, Ethereum at 6.9%, and Bitcoin at 5.0%.
CryptocurrencyExpected Move (%)XRP8.9Solana8.0Ethereum6.9Bitcoin5.0The implied move for XRP was also about 1.79 times its historical median seven-day move. Market sentiment has shifted increasingly toward bullish positions, as observed in trading patterns and derivatives activity.
Some analysts highlighted cumulative volume delta turning positive as XRP crossed above $1.50, indicating a strengthening in buying momentum at higher price levels.
Coinbase Markets, a subsidiary of the major US-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, regularly publishes data comparing volatility metrics across leading cryptocurrencies.
Mini dictionary: Cumulative volume delta refers to the running total of buying and selling volume during a trading period. A positive figure suggests more aggressive buying than selling, often viewed as a sign of market strength.
As technical and volatility indicators sharpen, XRP remains a cryptocurrency attracting close attention from both traders and long-term investors.
Tencent Music is beta testing MusicBuddy: users can modify audio tracks with a single sentence and release their finished works directly.
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The XRP Ledger is approaching a significant milestone, as the Permission Delegation amendment nears full activation. The upgrade is scheduled to go live on October 5, aligning with the culmination of the current two-week activation period.
Amendment enters critical windowThe PermissionDelegationV1_1 amendment received 29 affirmative validator votes, officially entering its two-week activation window on September 21, 2026. Data from XRPScan indicates that the earliest possible activation will occur at 11:18 AM UTC on October 5, 2026, provided validator consensus remains above the required 80% threshold throughout the process. Should support fall at or below 80% at any point, the amendment will be rejected and the countdown will restart from the beginning.
This upgrade is bundled in the xrpld version 3.3.0 release and acts as a replacement for the original Permission Delegation feature. The prior version was found to contain a critical bug, which the current amendment aims to address. Coded under standard XLS-75, the change looks to strengthen permission controls across the XRP Ledger.
The Permission Delegation protocol enables account holders to delegate certain permissions to another account, opening up enhanced operational flexibility while maintaining core account security safeguards.
Anticipated impact on institutions and stablecoinsHussein Zangana, also known as Vet, described Permission Delegation as a vital step for institutional adoption, stating that the feature serves as an essential compliance and operations building block.
Ripple’s stablecoin product lead, Lauren Berta, highlighted that Permission Delegation is expected to unlock significant new capabilities for institutions issuing regulated assets on the XRP Ledger, particularly for RLUSD and any other regulated token on the network. Berta noted the importance of allowing issuers to grant specific operational permissions to different teams or parties, such as compliance officers and asset movers, without exposing the issuer account to unnecessary risk.
Permission Delegation introduces a structure that lets stablecoin and asset issuers separate their operations, with clear boundaries on access, and the issuer retains ultimate control through the ability to instantly revoke permissions if needed.
This separation of duties is standard practice for stablecoin issuers operating on other blockchains, where distinct teams manage separate responsibilities. Permission Delegation is set to enable similar protocols for RLUSD on XRPL, implemented directly at the protocol level.
One critical safeguard ensures that not all permissions are available for delegation. Some account-level controls remain non-transferable, preventing delegates from escalating privilege or compromising account integrity. The issuer account owner retains oversight of which permissions are granted and can rescind them at any time with immediate effect.
Berta revealed that the RLUSD team has already begun building and testing Permission Delegation functionality on XRPL’s development environment, underlining active interest and preparation for the feature’s deployment.
Use cases beyond institutionsMayukha Vadari, software engineer at RippleX, outlined a retail-focused application for Permission Delegation. Specifically, for so-called blackholed issuers, account holders will be able to delegate select responsibilities—such as managing an account domain—before blackholing their issuer address. This measure ensures that even after blackholing, some settings remain accessible through a trusted, separate account.
As the market closely tracks major developments such as activation timelines and protocol upgrades, activity in adjacent sectors highlights how timing and investor strategy can influence outcomes. In the meme token market, an internet trend can transform into millions of dollars of interest within days. According to data from Fomo App, one trade involving “Niu Lai” turned an initial $99 investment into approximately $370,000, illustrating how swiftly capital can flow in these environments. Effective monitoring requires keeping an eye not only on price but also on the details of investor timing and asset selection. Fomo App offers a platform where users can discover new tokens, trade directly, and observe market behavior through features like social feeds, investor rankings, and real-time trade notifications.
Alongside these technical advancements, the XRP community is also preparing for the upcoming Ripple Swell event, scheduled from October 27 to 29, which is anticipated to spotlight further developments across the XRP ecosystem.
XRP shorts have crossed $2 billion in 24-hour volume despite the recent price rebound, as smart money sentiment flips “extremely bearish.”
Notably, XRP fell to $1.25 last Wednesday, Sept. 16, before rising to $1.482 at press time, a move that put more pressure on traders who had bet on further declines.
However, the recovery has not stopped futures traders from adding to their short positions. Despite the predominant short bias, retail traders and whale accounts continue to favor long positions across several major exchanges.
XRP Shorts Move Ahead of Longs Across Exchanges XRP’s 24-hour taker volume shows a narrow lead for shorts. Specifically, short trades made up 50.67% of the total volume over the past 24 hours, compared with 49.33% for longs. In dollar terms, short volume reached $2.18 billion, slightly above the $2.12 billion recorded on the long side.
XRP Long/Short Sentiment | Source: Coinglass In addition to this, data from Binance, OKX, and Bybit also shows a difference between the positions held by various groups of traders on these major exchanges.
On Binance, retail traders posted a 2.25 long/short ratio, which falls into the Bullish category. Whale accounts recorded an even higher 2.62 ratio, rated Extremely Bullish, while Binance whale positions stood at 2.10, also rated Bullish.
OKX showed a 1.91 retail ratio, rated Bullish, while whale positions reached 2.18, also Bullish. However, OKX whale accounts had a 1.00 ratio, placing them at neutral.
Bybit showed the strongest long bias, with both retail traders and whale accounts at 3.12, rated Extremely Bullish. Bybit whale positions stood at 0.98, which was neutral.
Smart Money Takes a Different View Interestingly, smart money holds a different view. Retail traders and whale accounts generally favor long positions across the three exchanges, but smart money sentiment on Binance and Bybit rates XRP as Extremely Bearish. OKX is the only exception, with its smart money reading Extremely Bullish.
This suggests that some sophisticated or algorithm-driven traders expect the current recovery to lose strength. They may also be using the rally as an opportunity to bet on a reversal. Their bearish view is worth noting because XRP has already climbed 18.5% from its Sept. 16 low.
Short Liquidations Lead Across Every Timeframe Liquidation data shows that short sellers have taken most of the losses during XRP’s recovery. Total liquidations over the past 24 hours reached $9,463,865. Short positions accounted for $7,984,460, while long positions accounted for $1,479,404.
The same pattern appears across shorter periods. Over the past hour, total liquidations reached $4.67 million, with shorts accounting for $4.55 million and longs just $123,150.
XRP Liquidation Data | Source: Coinglass In the last four hours, liquidations reached $5.49 million, including $5.34 million from shorts and $152,640 from longs. Over 12 hours, the total reached $7.31 million, with $6.52 million coming from shorts and $787,370 from longs.
XRP’s price volatility also exceeded 8.28%, forcing 1,928 traders worldwide out of their positions. The largest single liquidation reached $1,047,857 during the 09:00-10:00 peak hour on Sept. 21.
Current liquidation activity stands at 0.70 times the seven-day average and 0.27 times the 30-day recent peak. These figures show that traders are reducing leverage, with overleveraged shorts facing the most pressure so far. However, the market has not yet seen a full liquidation cascade.
Key XRP Levels and What Comes Next The increased short volume and continued short liquidations could create the conditions for a short squeeze. If XRP holds above $1.48, more short positions could face pressure, potentially adding buying demand, which could push the token toward the $1.60-$1.65 resistance zone.
A break above $1.60-$1.65 could put even more pressure on short sellers, with $1.80 becoming the next major target.
However, the downside bias is still valid. If the bearish smart money view on Binance and Bybit proves correct and XRP’s recovery loses momentum, the $1.35-$1.38 area could provide the first key support. A deeper decline would bring the September 16 low of $1.25 back into focus as the main floor.
Crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto has outlined a series of bullish technical setups for XRP, forecasting the potential for a major price surge in the coming weeks. In a detailed video analysis, Steph Is Crypto examined multiple timeframes and identified consistent signals suggesting that XRP could see significant movement if key resistance levels are broken.
Key levels and breakout scenarioOn the daily chart, XRP has been trading within a bull pennant pattern following a sharp rally at the end of August. An initial push above the pattern occurred the day before the video was published, but Steph Is Crypto emphasized the need for a confirmed closing price above $1.42 for the breakout to be validated. This level previously acted as a strong rejection zone, and surpassing it would, in his view, represent a shift in market structure.
If XRP closes above $1.42, the analyst projects a price target near $2, representing an estimated 42% move from the current position. He identifies the $1.30 to $1.33 range as the immediate support, putting the potential downside risk near 6%. Steph Is Crypto described this as offering a highly attractive risk-reward profile for traders.
Steph Is Crypto points to $1.42 as the crucial breakout level, stating that a confirmed close above this point could send XRP as high as $2, while the downside risk remains tightly defined at around $1.30.
The analysis also highlights the importance of monitoring price action around these key technical thresholds, especially as volatility increases ahead of possible catalyst events.
Zoomed-out analysis and historical patternsExpanding to a broader view, Steph Is Crypto identifies a potential cup and handle or an inverse head and shoulders pattern on the daily timeframe, interpreting both as bullish formations. The neckline for these formations stands at approximately $1.53. A close above this level would, according to the analyst, open the way toward even higher price targets.
He further references a long-term trend line from 2020 on XRP’s chart versus gold. Each historical touchpoint on this trend line has preceded a substantial bullish cycle for XRP, and the asset recently bounced from this level once more. On the monthly chart, the analyst notes that breaking out above a downtrend line that had defined previous bear markets has historically signaled a return to a bullish trend—an event that just occurred again for XRP.
Given the rapidly shifting market environment, where a single Federal Reserve decision or a sudden altcoin listing can cause instant volatility, Steph Is Crypto underscores the necessity of closely tracking technical signals. Many traders now rely on privacy-focused tools such as CryptoAppsy, which aggregate real-time charts, price alerts, news, and macroeconomic data onto a single platform, all without mandatory account creation. This consolidation is intended to help investors avoid losses associated with switching between multiple services during fast-moving markets.
Regulatory and market developmentsThe analyst also reviews recent legislative and regulatory actions affecting XRP. Senator Thom Tillis recently changed his vote, allowing the CLARITY Act to move forward, while Senator Elizabeth Warren opposed the bill and introduced an alternative legislative framework. Coinbase is reportedly preparing a backup strategy in response to the shifting regulatory landscape.
In Congress, lawmakers advanced proposals concerning the US digital asset stockpile, with XRP previously discussed as a candidate for inclusion in a potential US crypto reserve. Meanwhile, a security incident affected more than 1,500 D’Cent wallets, with attackers stealing over 2 million XRP valued at $2.8 million.
Every chart reviewed by Steph Is Crypto shows a trend moving from bearish conditions into a renewed bull market for XRP, strengthening the analyst’s positive outlook.
Steph Is Crypto ultimately characterizes the current setup for XRP as repeatedly more bullish than bearish, based on both near-term technicals and broader historical cycles.
Crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto, an active market commentator on X, has published a detailed update for XRP holders, highlighting new signals emerging for the digital asset. In a recent video, Steph discussed regulatory developments, on-chain metrics, technical price levels, and shifting online interest as revealed by Google Trends data.
Retail sentiment and Google Trends shiftSteph observed a noticeable change in Google Trends for XRP. For the first time in three months, searches for XRP are registering a higher low, which he interprets as an early indicator of shifting retail sentiment. When expanded to a 12-month timeline, the same trend persists, further suggesting that bearish momentum may be waning and renewed interest among retail investors could be building.
XRP is showing a higher low in Google search activity for the first time in 90 days, which might indicate a potential change in retail investor sentiment.
Mini dictionary: Google Trends, a public tool that measures the frequency of searches for specific keywords on Google, offering insight into public interest and sentiment in real time.
Regulatory outlook and political responsesOn the regulatory front, US Senator Elizabeth Warren recently voted against the Clarity Act and afterward publicly urged lawmakers to introduce specific legislation for the cryptocurrency sector. Steph pointed to this development as a possible opening for further legislative negotiations on crypto regulatory clarity.
Additionally, David Schwartz, who served as Ripple Chief Technology Officer, addressed Senator Josh Hawley’s opposition to the bill, attributing the vote to an effort to sustain bank profit models. Steph described ongoing frustration stemming from the bill’s defeat and emphasized the continued uncertainty around regulatory direction for XRP.
Mini dictionary: The Clarity Act is a proposed piece of legislation aimed at clarifying the legal classification of digital assets and providing explicit regulatory guidance for cryptocurrencies in the United States.
Exchange supply and Binance accumulationSteph highlighted that Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, currently holds 2.62 billion XRP. This represents the highest balance on the platform in over two months. While Steph refrained from labeling this development as bullish or bearish, he described the figure as significant and worth monitoring for potential supply shifts on exchanges.
ExchangeXRP HoldingsDays Since High BalanceBinance2.62 billion69 daysTechnical analysis: key price levels and patternsFocusing on technical analysis, Steph identified $1.42 as the primary resistance level, noting that XRP briefly exceeded $1.43 but was unable to close a daily candle above $1.42, indicating a failed breakout. On the downside, he marked $1.37 as essential support. According to Steph, a daily close below this level could open the door to a retest of the $1.25 area. Conversely, holding $1.37 might preserve the short-term bullish setup.
Steph said that $1.42 is the crucial resistance, while $1.37 could be the level bulls must defend to avoid a deeper pullback.
Steph also outlined a potential inverse head and shoulders pattern developing on the XRP price chart. In technical analysis, this pattern is typically interpreted as a sign of trend reversal from bearish to bullish momentum. The neckline for this formation is drawn between $1.48 and $1.55. A daily close above this range could activate a projected price target near $2.30, based on the height of the pattern from the breakout point.
Mini dictionary: An inverse head and shoulders pattern is a chart formation that signals a possible reversal of a downward trend, often identified as a bullish indicator in asset price analysis.
LevelPrice ($)SignificanceResistance1.42Main level to break aboveSupport1.37Key level to holdInverse H&S Neckline1.48–1.55Breakout target zoneProjected Target2.30Potential next moveSteph described the broader market context as a critical moment for XRP observers, stating that he remains “personally more on the bullish side of things,” but emphasized the need to watch support and resistance levels closely as momentum builds. He maintains that behavioral signals across the crypto market continue to shift, which may provide grounds for optimism among XRP holders.
Kamilah Stevenson, a specialist in wealth and portfolio management, is calling on XRP investors to examine their personal holdings more carefully by multiplying their token balance by the price point they believe is achievable or desirable. Her message underscores the importance of linking portfolio size with individual financial objectives rather than focusing purely on speculative price targets.
Price targets and position sizes: A practical calculationStevenson points out that many XRP enthusiasts discuss the possibility of XRP reaching $10, but few pause to assess whether that outcome actually fulfills their personal ambitions. She advises holders to move beyond abstract price predictions and confront tangible numbers by “stopping the conversation from being just a feeling to becoming a number.”
To illustrate her point, Stevenson provides two scenarios: the first investor holds 1,200 XRP and targets a $10 price, resulting in a portfolio worth $12,000. A second investor, with 40,000 XRP, sets a lower goal of $3, achieving $120,000 in value. The comparison highlights how personal targets and coin counts impact the potential financial outcome.
She emphasizes that, while investors cannot dictate XRP’s market value, they can adjust their accumulation strategies, position sizes, and broader financial approach. Stevenson also notes that factors like savings habits, debt reduction, and goal setting remain under investor control, even as market prices fluctuate.
Many crypto communities focus intensely on price predictions, but investors should look at variables they have the ability to influence, such as reducing debts, increasing savings rates, and optimizing position sizes to align with their financial plans.
Beyond price: Tax, liquidity, and long-term planning challengesStevenson does not issue an outright price forecast for XRP, using the $10 target only as a hypothetical benchmark. Instead, she encourages holders to select a target price of their own and then ask whether the calculated portfolio value would be enough to secure key life goals—whether that be a home purchase, retirement planning, starting a business, contributing to charity, or pursuing career flexibility.
She also reminds investors to consider the implications of selling crypto assets, especially the potential for taxable events. Stevenson recommends understanding the legal and financial structures available in one’s jurisdiction prior to liquidation, as other options, such as borrowing against crypto, may make more sense depending on individual circumstances.
In a market where a single Fed decision or a sudden altcoin listing can change everything in seconds, Stevenson suggests that effective monitoring and quick action are critical. Many investors are avoiding scattered tools and adopting privacy-first solutions like CryptoAppsy to centralize real-time charts, price alerts, token-specific news, and macroeconomic updates—all accessible from a single dashboard and without the need for registration.
Holistic financial strategy over isolated price point expectationsStevenson ultimately frames portfolio value as just one piece of a larger financial puzzle. She maintains that setting a token price target is insufficient without evaluating the number of coins owned, the after-tax implications, debt obligations, cash reserves, and a realistic plan if a price target is met—or never materializes.
Stevenson’s core question is whether the projected value of an XRP portfolio truly supports the desired outcome. If not, investors may be better served by revisiting their entire financial strategy rather than counting on price appreciation alone.
Her perspective shifts the typical crypto dialogue away from hopeful speculation and toward a more comprehensive approach that considers both controllable factors and market dynamics.
The cryptocurrency derivatives market experienced its largest wave of forced short liquidations in recent months, with total losses soaring to $789.57 million in the past 24 hours. Data from analytics provider CoinGlass revealed that short traders alone faced liquidations worth $665.81 million following sharp price increases across several major digital assets.
Altcoin short sellers face heavy lossesWhile Bitcoin and Ethereum have historically dominated liquidation events, the latest cycle saw a significant share of losses shifting to altcoins. Market participants with short positions in assets like XRP, NEAR, and Zcash were particularly affected as strong rallies prompted a cascade of forced liquidations.
NEAR recorded the largest jump among these, climbing 11.51% to reach $4.06 and triggering $8.88 million in short liquidations in a single session. Meanwhile, XRP climbed 7.99% to $1.47, contributing to $10.04 million in liquidated short positions. Zcash (ZEC) also participated in the surge, posting a 6.24% increase to $1,514.93, with $11.51 million in short liquidations. In just a few hours, short sellers targeting these three tokens absorbed over $30 million in losses.
A pronounced build-up of highly leveraged short trades led to a textbook short squeeze, as rising prices forced exchanges to trigger automated buybacks for collateral coverage. These forced purchases amplified the momentum, sending values higher and liquidating more short positions in succession.
Bitcoin and Ethereum liquidations dominateBitcoin accounted for the highest single-day nominal liquidations, with $384.71 million wiped from traders holding short positions. The leading cryptocurrency advanced by 5.73%, pushing past the $85,000 mark. The largest individual liquidation took place on Binance in the BTCUSDT pair, valued at $11.29 million.
Ethereum short sellers followed, absorbing $157.97 million in forced liquidations as ETH gained 5.80% to approach a major psychological threshold at $2,710.
Solana (SOL) also saw an impressive move, with the price rising 8.15% to $117.28, resulting in $20.21 million in liquidated shorts.
Critical price zones and meme token momentumLiquidity maps from CoinGlass indicate that fresh risk zones for Bitcoin shorts now cluster around $86,385, where $72.26 million remains at stake. For Ethereum, the comparable zone is $2,757, with $30.31 million at risk. Both thresholds are less than 2% above current prices, suggesting further liquidations could quickly follow if upward movement resumes.
NEAR and XRP short sellers face renewed pressure at $4.28 and $1.49, respectively. A rapid contraction in open interest for short positions signals that sellers are capitulating, while buying momentum strengthens across spot markets.
As technical levels and stop order cascades come into focus, the meme token market has continued to draw speculative activity. An example, illustrated by Fomo App, saw a $99 trade in “Niu Lai” balloon into roughly $370,000 within days. In such fast-moving markets, close tracking of both token selection and timing is critical for participants. Fomo App integrates real-time token discovery, trading, investor rankings, and social feeds, allowing users to follow meme token dynamics and investor behavior as they unfold.
Short seller losses across the largest assets have led to a shift in risk zones, with Bitcoin and Ethereum bears now facing potential additional liquidations as prices approach $86,385 and $2,757, respectively. Market momentum currently favors buyers following a rapid decline in open short positions.
Ahmed Barakat is a journalist and copywriter based in Georgia with a growing focus on blockchain technology, DeFi, AI, privacy, digital assets, and fintech innovation.
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Binance recorded average XRP inflows of 21,718,631 tokens per day last week, a figure 663% above the exchange’s quarterly baseline, according to CryptoQuant news data. The number looks alarming in isolation, but the real question is whether it reflects large holders preparing to sell or simply a market repositioning around two major catalysts in the same week.
The data do not confirm outright intent to sell. What they show is a sharp increase in gross exchange turnover concentrated in a handful of sessions rather than a steady, week-long buildup. This is a gap that matters for anyone trying to read whale behavior off a single headline figure.
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Why XRP Flows Spiked Around the CLARITY Vote and Fed Decision News?Two regulatory and macro events bracket the inflow spikes on September 16 and 17. On September 15, the U.S. Senate failed to advance the CLARITY Act after a 49-50 procedural vote, leaving the bill’s push for formal regulatory definitions of digital assets, including XRP, stalled rather than dead.
The following day, the Federal Reserve raised its target rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%, its first hike since 2023. XRP fell toward $1.27 during the FOMC news before recovering to close at $1.410 on September 19.
Now that FOMC & Clarity act are behind us let’s resume up only
— John (@CryptoGodJohn) September 17, 2026 The timing lines up cleanly enough to be notable, but it does not establish causation. Traders and large holders may have moved XRP between wallets and exchanges to adjust positioning around the rate decision rather than to prepare an outright exit. This is a possibility that the underlying data leaves open without confirming.
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What the Three-Session Concentration Says About Binance ActivityThe 663% average obscures how lopsided the week actually was. XRP inflows reached 91.2 million tokens on September 11, 44.5 million on September 16, and 41.7 million on September 17, three sessions carrying nearly the entire weekly total. No inflows were recorded at all on September 12, 15, 18, or 19, and September 20 lacked price, open-interest, funding, or transaction data entirely.
This concentration fits a pattern flagged earlier in the month, when whale inflows to Binance over the prior 30 days reached roughly 1.6 billion XRP, the highest level since March. Large-wallet transfers had declined steadily from May through July before reversing higher in August and continuing into September.
But gross deposits only tell half the story. Monthly inflows rose 457% while outflows increased 167% over the same stretch, and Binance’s XRP reserve ended the week at 2,630,628,140 tokens – just 0.22% above the quarterly baseline and 0.34% higher week over week.
Average outflows ran at 11,565,238 tokens per day, roughly half the inflow rate but still substantial. When inflows and outflows both surge while net reserves barely move, that points to turnover and repositioning across the crypto market rather than a coordinated distribution event.
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Leverage and Network Activity Add to the Risk SignalDeposit addresses averaged 788 per day, 129% above the quarterly baseline, confirming that more distinct wallets were interacting with the exchange rather than a single large actor moving repeatedly. Underlying network usage told a different story: XRP’s NVT ratio fell 32.1%, and transaction count dropped 16.4%, meaning on-chain activity did not keep pace with the exchange-level churn.
Derivatives positioning leaned more aggressively. Open interest reached 477.1 million, up 9.4% from the quarterly level, and the estimated leverage ratio climbed to 0.181, a 9.1% quarterly increase. Funding settled at 0.004 after doubling week over week, pushing up the cost of holding long positions.
Liquidations hit both sides. Short liquidations averaged 2.34 million XRP per day, up 199% week over week, while long liquidations averaged 2.93 million XRP per day. This is evidence that neither directional bet held comfortably through the volatility spike.
MetricValueChangeAvg. daily Binance inflows21,718,631 XRP+663% vs. quarterly baselineAvg. daily Binance outflows11,565,238 XRP+167% monthlyBinance XRP reserve (weekend)2,630,628,140 XRP+0.34% week over weekOpen interest477.1 million+9.4% vs. quarterly levelEstimated leverage ratio0.181+9.1% vs. quarterly levelTaken together, the picture is one of a market reshuffling positions under macro and regulatory pressure rather than one signaling a clean distribution phase. Exchange inflows spiked, outflows rose nearly as fast, and Binance’s net holdings barely shifted. This is the pattern that raises short-term volatility risk without settling the question of whether XRP whale activity is bearish, defensive, or simply tactical.
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Susan Anderson, a veteran cryptocurrency investor, recently attracted attention within the XRP community by publishing a comprehensive list of 134 confirmed Ripple partners. The compilation highlights banks and financial institutions spanning multiple continents, underscoring Ripple’s extensive presence in global finance. Anderson noted that the list is not exhaustive, hinting at the possibility of even stronger institutional backing.
Major global institutions includedKey financial players cited in Anderson’s compilation include Bank of America, Bank of England, Banco Santander, HSBC, Barclays, Standard Chartered, MUFG Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Mizuho Financial Group, UBS, Royal Bank of Canada, and Scotiabank. This range signals Ripple’s ambition to modernize cross-border payments by partnering with leaders in the financial world.
Ripple currently holds over 75 global licenses, further reinforcing its position as a regulated provider of payment infrastructure. Several institutions on Anderson’s list have documented partnerships with Ripple, using its network to streamline remittance and settlement operations.
Supporting her confidence in $XRP, Anderson backed her list with documents and provided evidence of official connections between Ripple and some of the world’s largest banks. She emphasized that Ripple’s payment system replaces outdated correspondent banking with faster solutions, with many institutions already active on the network.
SBI Holdings has a well-established connection to Ripple, holding a 9% equity stake and running SBI Ripple Asia, which launched XRP-powered remittance services via SBI Remit in 2021. Public records also show Bank of America’s participation in RippleNet, the firm’s cross-border settlement network. Standard Chartered, meanwhile, has maintained a $28 price target for XRP by 2030, reiterating this even after recent revisions to short-term projections.
Community discussion and reactionsThe release of Anderson’s list sparked active debate in the XRP community. Some members praised the compilation for reinforcing their optimism about Ripple’s future, while others offered additional names such as PNC Bank as potential upcoming partners. A few noted that although the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) remain unconfirmed, the network of partners could expand further.
A number of responses expressed enthusiasm about XRP’s prospects. One user explained that the inclusion of YES BANK increased his confidence, and another credited Anderson’s rationale as sound. There were also predictions of XRP reaching $3.2 in the coming month, and one participant described Anderson’s list as key justification for holding XRP.
Despite widespread institutional partnerships, some commenters questioned XRP’s current price point of $1.40 and referenced skepticism about the traditional banking system’s long track record.
Other participants questioned the significance of Ripple’s partnerships for immediate price action and critiqued connections to legacy banking systems.
Documented strategy over speculationAnderson’s approach stands out because it is rooted in documentation rather than forecasts. By listing more than 100 named partners, her post moved beyond speculation, showing Ripple’s expanding institutional reach with more than 75 global licenses and ongoing traction among large financial entities.
Tracking such institutional relationships is only one aspect of market intelligence, especially in segments like meme tokens, where investor behavior can quickly translate into significant profits. In the meme token market, an internet trend can transform into millions of dollars of interest within days. According to data shared by Fomo App, a trade involving “Niu Lai”—which turned an initial $99 investment into approximately $370,000, stands out as a striking example of this activity. In this market, tracking not only prices but also the timing and token choices of investors is crucial. Fomo App brings token discovery and trading together on a single platform, featuring social feeds, investor rankings, and trade notifications. Discover Fomo App to follow the world of meme tokens alongside investor activity.
These developments highlight how both traditional financial backing and rapid, trend-driven trading spaces are shaping strategies for different types of crypto investors.
XRP rallied 8.22% in three days after whales accumulated roughly $2.2 billion worth of XRP, while on-chain data highlights $1.60 as a key level.
XRP has risen 8.22% over three days following a period in which large holders accumulated more than $2 billion worth of XRP, while on-chain data identifies $1.60 as a major concentration of previously transacted supply.
The whale accumulation was reported in a September 19 update using Santiment data. According to the figures, large XRP holders accumulated approximately 1.54 billion XRP over a 96-hour period, valued at roughly $2.2 billion at the prices used in the analysis.
The accompanying whale-balance chart shows holdings increasing from around 8.1 billion XRP before the accumulation period to approximately 9.7 billion XRP by September 19. The largest increase occurred between September 16 and September 17, with holdings remaining elevated over the following two days.
Since that update, XRP’s market price has advanced 8.22% in three days.
XRP Whale Holdings and URPD Analysis XRP URPD Data Highlights $1.60 In the above chart, Separate Glassnode data showing XRP’s UTXO Realized Price Distribution (URPD) identifies several price levels where substantial amounts of XRP previously changed hands.
The largest nearby concentration shown on the chart is around $1.60, where approximately 2.5 billion XRP previously transacted. This makes $1.60 the largest visible supply cluster immediately above the current price region in the provided dataset.
Before $1.60, the chart shows relatively smaller concentrations around the $1.49 area. Above $1.60, additional large URPD clusters appear near $1.68, $1.86, $2.19, and $2.29.
The $1.86 and $2.29 areas each show transaction concentrations exceeding roughly 2 billion XRP, while the $2.19 level also contains a sizable historical volume cluster.
URPD measures the amount of an asset that last moved at different price levels. The data identifies where large quantities of XRP previously changed hands; it does not establish whether holders at those levels will buy or sell when price returns.
The latest data therefore combines two measurable developments: whale holdings increased by roughly 1.54 billion XRP, valued at about $2.2 billion, and XRP subsequently recorded an 8.22% three-day increase. On the displayed URPD chart, $1.60 represents the next major concentration of historically transacted XRP above the current price region.
Anticipation surrounding a potential $1,000 XRP price target reignited following a recent statement from Dom Kwok, co-founder of the education-focused crypto app EasyA. Kwok reaffirmed his long-term prediction for XRP’s price, while prominent developer Bird drew attention to the XRP Ledger’s underlying capabilities as a basis for optimism.
Bird links XRP target to network utilityBird, a well-known developer in the XRP community, referenced Kwok’s recent comments by highlighting a recent White House meeting attended by leading XRP advocates. Bird noted that after key advocates exited the White House, discussions about the $1,000 target gathered momentum. He encouraged crypto investors to focus less on price charts and more on tangible developments within the XRP Ledger ecosystem.
Bird stated that “the XRP Ledger was designed for the Internet of Value: tokenization, settlement, liquidity, and the movement of value at scale.” He urged the community to examine the technology, infrastructure, and use cases built around the network to accurately gauge its long-term potential.
Huge XRP advocates walk into the White House for meetings, step out, and say $1,000 XRP is more likely than ever. You need to understand what’s been built. The XRP Ledger was designed for the Internet of Value: tokenization, settlement, liquidity, and the movement of value.
Bird further emphasized that such projections stem from the network’s real-world applications rather than speculation based solely on technical analysis, declaring, “This is not a ‘chart thing’.”
Mini dictionary: XRP Ledger (XRPL) is an open-source, decentralized blockchain network designed to facilitate fast and low-cost digital asset transfers and tokenization. It supports features such as issuing tokens, decentralized exchanges, and cross-border settlements.
Tokenization highlighted as growth driverBird connected his perspective to the anticipated expansion of tokenized assets. He suggested that the “tokenization of everything” is approaching, positioning XRP as ready to benefit from these developments. Bird’s argument centers on the potential for large-scale value transfers and greater liquidity to be facilitated via the XRP Ledger, supporting a bullish long-term view.
The developer believes that as more financial instruments become tokenized, the emphasis on robust and scalable networks like XRPL will grow, helping the ecosystem adapt to the wider infrastructure needs of the digital economy.
Kwok stands firm on $1,000 targetKwok has maintained his forecast that XRP could achieve the $1,000 mark by 2030, a target he previously shared in March 2026. Responding to discussions involving his professional background at Goldman Sachs and news of the bank’s exposure to XRP ETFs totaling over $150 million, the EasyA co-founder dismissed the notion of coincidence, showing continued confidence in his prediction.
Kwok remains steadfast despite ongoing debate over whether such a price is feasible for XRP. His stance has been reinforced by the support from high-profile developers like Bird, who link the valuation to the continued expansion of the XRPL’s practical use cases.
XRP is about to be enabled. The tokenization of everything is coming. These remarks place technological advancement and network expansion at the heart of valuation arguments, rather than focusing solely on trading analytics.
EasyA, the company co-founded by Kwok, develops educational tools and applications that help users learn and build within blockchain ecosystems. Through advocacy and thought leadership, the firm plays a notable role in promoting both blockchain development and user adoption.
While Bird and Kwok emphasize the importance of innovation and infrastructure, the $1,000 target remains an ambitious and highly speculative vision rather than an established market forecast.
XRP is shaping up to be the cryptocurrency market’s biggest volatility bet.
Coinbase Markets says crypto options currently imply a one-standard-deviation move of roughly 8.9% for XRP through Sept. 27. That tops Solana at 8.0%, Ethereum at 6.9%, and Bitcoin at 5.0%.
More notably, XRP’s expected move is roughly 1.79 times its historical median seven-day move of about 5%. It has the widest volatility premium among the four major cryptocurrencies tracked by Coinbase.
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XRP is changing hands at $1.51 at press time. Hence, an 8.9% move would correspond to approximately $1.37 on the downside or $1.64 on the upside if applied symmetrically to the spot price.
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It is important to note that the options market is not predicting which of those directions XRP will take. Traders are paying for protection or exposure to a rather significant price swing.
XRP derivatives activity explodesXRP derivatives activity has recorded a sharp increase.
CoinGlass data shows XRP futures generated approximately $6.8 billion in trading volume over the past 24 hours.
Open interest has climbed to approximately $3.56 billion while XRP trades near $1.51, up roughly 6.7% over the past 24 hours.
The latest rally has taken a significant toll on bearish traders. Approximately $19.2 million worth of XRP positions were liquidated during the past 24 hours. Short positions accounted for roughly $17 million of that amount.
Positioning is now increasingly tilted in the opposite direction. The Binance XRP/USDT long-to-short account ratio stands at roughly 2.18.
That creates a rather peculiar setup. The first stage of the rally was capable of forcing bearish traders out of their positions. However, increasingly crowded long positioning could become a problem for the bulls if XRP stumbles.
Over the past 24 hours, CoinGlass shows roughly $1.81 billion in futures inflows and nearly the same amount in outflows. Over seven days, however, cumulative net flow remains negative by roughly $293 million.
Such conditions can produce large moves in either direction.
Long-time cryptocurrency holder Susan Anderson has drawn attention to XRP with a highly optimistic prediction, suggesting the asset could undergo what she describes as a “vertical style black swan” price move. Anderson shared her view on the X social platform, indicating XRP could surge upward abruptly, reaching levels that have not been widely anticipated by the market.
Anderson stated her belief that such an event would liquidate all short positions and potentially upend Bitcoin’s dominance in the crypto sector. She went as far as to claim that this move could transform the global financial landscape. The assertive forecast quickly sparked debate among traders and investors, reflecting the polarized sentiment within the XRP community.
Enthusiasts within the group expressed excitement online, with some commenting that they are eager for the potential upswing. One user highlighted the possibility that an asset with a modest current value could see substantial appreciation in the future. Others speculated that Anderson’s outlook might coincide with significant macroeconomic change, such as a global financial reset.
Despite the excitement, skepticism also emerged. Several community members questioned the likelihood of such an unprecedented price move, with one commenter stating they expected only minor gains. Others requested concrete evidence and market data to support Anderson’s bold claims, noting that her predictions appeared speculative rather than data-driven.
Anderson’s statement that “the price will go straight upwards with no warning… all shorts will cease to exist from that day” generated both optimism and concern, as some community members questioned the evidence for such an event and others eagerly anticipated the potential for seismic price action.
Analysts assess XRP technicalsCrypto analyst ChartNerd has highlighted that XRP is poised for a third retest of a long-term trendline that has previously marked major price moves since 2017. According to ChartNerd, XRP’s current positioning mirrors one of only five historical occasions when the asset experienced a pullback greater than 70%. The analyst identifies this as a zone of high conviction for investors looking at long-term growth.
ChartNerd published target prices of $8, $13, and $27 should XRP follow a similar pattern as previous cycles. The technical setup has increased attention around the asset and reinforced views held by bullish holders.
AnalystPrice TargetsJustificationChartNerd$8, $13, $27Retest of long-term trendline; historical pullback; high-conviction zoneCleo Schmidt$1.80, $3.20, $6.50, $13Comparison to 2013–2017 cycle; projected roadmapAdding to this technical perspective, analyst Cleo Schmidt compared XRP’s current trends to those from its 2013–2017 cycle, identifying similarities to the period preceding a more than 60,000% rally. Schmidt’s roadmap mapped out potential resistance and breakout points at $1.80, $3.20, $6.50, and $13.
Ripple Chief Technology Officer Emeritus David Schwartz further contributed to the debate, commenting in a live discussion that XRP surpassing Bitcoin by market capitalization is a scenario he finds more plausible than commonly believed. Schwartz’s involvement predates Ripple’s founding, and he is widely recognized for co-designing the XRP Ledger.
Despite ongoing discussion around technical setups and ambitious targets, skepticism remains within the community, particularly as XRP investors recall years of previous predictions that did not materialize in sustained price increases.
Mini dictionary: Black swan – In finance, a “black swan” describes a rare and unpredictable event that has a major impact on markets, often leading to sharp and unexpected price movements.
Anderson remains confident in the asset’s future, while the community continues to watch for technical signals as the debate over XRP’s trajectory persists.
XRP jumped more than 5% overnight to trade around $1.49 against the US dollar, following a brief dip to $1.2369 that quickly reversed course. This movement closely tracked a larger liquidity sweep below multi-week lows, which analysts often consider a key signal for potential shifts in market structure.
Sweep and reversal at major supportReviewing the daily chart, XRP has traded in a tight range between approximately $1.00 and $1.60 for nearly seven months. This period of sideways action followed a significant decline from its November 2025 high near $2.95 and lasted longer than many participants anticipated.
Repeated attempts to rally were met with selling pressure, creating a series of lower highs. The $1.00 level emerged as a focal point for clusters of resting sell orders and stop losses, drawing attention from market makers seeking to clear these positions before a sustained move.
The price has swept below this zone twice in recent months, clearing liquidity and removing weak hands before resuming an upward trajectory.
XRP, a digital asset developed by Ripple Labs for global payments and cross-border settlements, remains one of the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Weekly outlook and key resistance levelsThe weekly chart reveals sustained pressure following a peak at $3.66 in mid-2026. Since then, XRP has entered a prolonged distribution phase, stepping through multiple support zones and reaching new lows in 2026.
While significant buy-side liquidity remains at that $3.66 level, current market attention is focused on nearer-term price action. The outcome this week is likely to hinge on how XRP interacts with supply and demand closer to its present range.
Order block signals and intraday structure shiftsOn the four-hour chart, XRP established a base just under $1.10 before breaking a pattern of lower highs. This area is identified by traders as a bullish order block—the final concentration of sales before buyers gained control.
After this breakout, XRP surged around 40% without revisiting the base level, suggesting strong upward momentum. Such swift advances are commonly followed by periods of consolidation, as seen in recent sessions.
Taking a closer look at the hourly chart, XRP swept the $1.2369 low, triggering stops, then reclaimed market structure by breaking above the previous swing high near $1.4975. A subsequent pullback toward the $1.38–$1.40 zone held above this pivotal level, propelling price back toward the highs. Traders are now monitoring entries near $1.4880, with stops below $1.44 and targets in the $1.50–$1.55 range, where the next notable supply is identified.
LevelStatusNotes$1.44Key supportLoss on hourly close may signal return to lower range$1.50–$1.55Target/supplyClustered short liquidations, potential resistance$1.35Daily supportDaily close below signals breakdown of bullish structureLiquidation and on-chain accumulation trendsData from CoinGlass indicates a concentration of short positions between $1.50 and $1.51 on XRP/USDT perpetual contracts. A breakout above this zone could trigger a wave of forced buying as shorts are covered, potentially accelerating price action beyond what standard technical analysis would suggest.
Funding rates for XRP perpetual contracts have remained neutral, avoiding overheated sentiment. While open interest grew by more than 9% in a day, both long and short positions stayed relatively balanced at a 52% to 48% ratio. This points to spot market demand as the main driver, rather than leveraged derivatives trading.
Large holder wallets accumulated about 1.54 billion XRP, roughly $2.2 billion in value, over a 96-hour period, according to on-chain data. This accumulation matches technical signals such as an inverse head-and-shoulders formation that aligns with the $1.55 target flagged by derivatives data.
A similar pattern emerged in Cardano liquidation data earlier this week, where short position clusters contributed to a market bounce instead of a decline.
CoinGlass is a platform providing real-time data and analytics on cryptocurrency derivatives, including open interest, liquidation levels, and funding rates for major tokens.
Mini dictionary: CoinGlass, a widely used analytics service, monitors futures and perpetual contract liquidations, open interest, and funding rates for cryptocurrencies, helping traders assess risk and market positioning.
Key levels to watchA close below $1.44 on the hourly chart would likely invalidate this bullish scenario, reintroducing the return-to-order-block area and possibly inviting a retest of the $1.30 range. If XRP closes the day below $1.35, it would represent a more decisive breakdown of the uptrend established since mid-September.
These observations serve as technical insights and do not constitute investment advice. XRP’s direction remains sensitive to broader market movements, and rapid shifts can occur.
Edo Farina, a YouTube show host focused on the XRP ecosystem, reported that holding just 2,110 XRP is sufficient for a wallet to be included among the top 10% of addresses on the XRP Ledger. Farina based this assessment on updated “rich list” data from September, suggesting that analyzing wallet distributions and on-chain activity could help interpret broader market positioning in $XRP.
Wallet rankings and user behaviorFarina cautioned that these metrics represent wallet addresses, not individual investors. He stated that many XRP users operate multiple wallets, sharing that he personally controls more than 15 and estimating that a typical holder manages two or three. As a result, the rankings reflect the distribution of tokens across wallets rather than the true number of people holding XRP.
He argued that wallet-based statistics cannot provide a precise count of unique XRP owners, noting that one individual can split holdings across numerous addresses for privacy and operational reasons.
Wallet thresholds provide a snapshot of distribution, but many users split their XRP across multiple addresses—sometimes dozens—so these figures tell us more about wallet size than individual ownership.
Thresholds to reach top wallet tiersAccording to the figures cited in Farina’s analysis, a wallet must hold 7,450 XRP to enter the top 5% of addresses. For the top 4%, the requirement rises to 10,214 XRP, while 13,949 XRP marks the threshold for the top 3%. The top 2% hold at least 21,628 XRP, and a spot among the top 1% demands over 44,237 XRP.
Farina suggested that addresses exceeding the 0.5% threshold are likely managed by institutions, custodians, over-the-counter desks, or those linked to founders, although he did not present detailed wallet-level categorization data. He reiterated an earlier view that large wallet accumulation had anticipated significant price action in $XRP months in advance.
Wallet TierXRP RequiredTop 10%2,110 XRPTop 5%7,450 XRPTop 4%10,214 XRPTop 3%13,949 XRPTop 2%21,628 XRPTop 1%44,237 XRPMarket context and XRP Ledger developmentsThe market snapshot referenced in the episode showed $XRP trading above $1.40, while Bitcoin hovered around $80,000, with both tokens attempting to defend key support levels. Farina stated that broader investor risk appetite could become clearer once the S&P 500 reopened for trading.
He then discussed tokenized stocks and real-world assets that may be issued on blockchain networks like the XRP Ledger. Citing remarks reportedly made by SEC Chair Paul Atkins, Farina mentioned the possibility of an “innovation exemption” to facilitate on-chain trading of tokenized equities, particularly after Congress did not advance the CLARITY Act.
Mini dictionary: CLARITY Act, proposed U.S. legislation aimed at providing regulatory clarity for digital assets and cryptocurrencies, especially regarding oversight from agencies such as the SEC and CFTC. However, it has not yet been passed into law.
The host highlighted that instant settlement via tokenization could reduce dependency on intermediaries such as escrow providers or pre-settlement service firms. In one video segment, Farina described how cryptocurrency rails enable continuous exchange of value between fiat currencies, with $XRP serving as a bridge asset.
Tokenized assets and stablecoins on the XRP Ledger could boost network usage, as each transaction requires an XRP fee, positioning XRP as the fuel for these operations. The ledger’s rapid settlement aims to meet the needs of institutional investors demanding 24/7 trading infrastructure.
Farina concluded that XRP Ledger’s capacity for high-speed settlement and its expanding roster of tokenized assets and stablecoins have potential to increase overall network activity.
Veteran trader Peter Brandt has made a bullish call on XRP, saying the coin could rally above the psychological $5 level. This comes amid renewed optimism about the potential start of a new bull market, with BTC rallying to an 8-month high of $87,000.
Peter Brandt Says XRP Could Eventually Rally Above $5 In an X post, Brandt shared his long-term XRP chart, which he said implies that the coin could rally to $5.40. His accompanying chart showed that the coin could rally above the psychological $5 level by next year.
Source: X His bullish call comes amid the broader crypto market recovery, with Bitcoin rallying to an 8-month high of $87,000 today. XRP has also climbed above $1.50 today amid the broader crypto rally, up over 8%, according to TradingView data.
Source: TradingView The rally above $1.50 comes as onchain activity accelerates, with whales increasing holdings and network activity heating up. XRP Ledger transactions have also surged while open interest has climbed, signaling increased interest in the crypto asset as the market rallies.
XRP’s rally comes despite the failed CLARITY Act cloture vote, as senators failed to invoke cloture on the crypto bill. The crypto asset was projected as one of the assets that could benefit most if the crypto bill advanced, due to its ties to crypto firm Ripple. However, after the failed cloture vote, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said the company has never been stronger.
Short-Term Rally To $1.60 On The Cards Crypto analyst Ali Martinez has predicted that XRP could rally to $1.60 in the short term. This came as he highlighted how whales had accumulated over $2 billion worth of coins, with that demand now showing up in the price, which is up over 8% in three days.
XRP RALLIES AFTER WHALES BUY. WHERE NEXT?
Recently, whales accumulated more than $2 billion worth of $XRP.
Now that demand appears to be showing up in price, with XRP rallying 8.22% in just three days.
But on-chain data suggests there may still be room to run.
The URPD shows… https://t.co/yWD0rDhj2X pic.twitter.com/wjiQ9hLz8R
— Ali Charts (@alicharts) September 21, 2026
The crypto analyst cited on-chain data that he said suggests there is still room to run. “The URPD shows relatively little resistance ahead until $1.60, where roughly 2.50 billion XRP previously changed hands,” he said.
Martinez added that the psychological $1.60 level was the next major level he was watching for potential profit-taking before looking for the next setup.
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Bitcoin rallied to an almost eight-month high as institutional interest surged, while crude oil prices fell below $100 and Treasury yields slipped below 5%.
Notable Statistics:
Coinglass data shows 130,362 traders were liquidated in the past 24 hours for $928.11 million. SoSoValue data shows net inflows of $433 million from spot Bitcoin ETFs on Friday. Spot Ethereum ETFs saw net inflows of $143.8 million. In the past 24 hours, top gainers include Bitway, Pepe and Dogecoin. Notable Developments:
Strategy Buys 950 Bitcoin For $76M as MSTR Surges 8%: What’s Going On?Top 6 Crypto Stocks Climbing with Bitcoin Right NowBitmine Buys 27,562 ETH as Tom Lee Says Crypto’s Bull Market Is ‘Underway’Is Solana’s Next ‘Token Supercycle’ Taking Shape? Expert Identifies Three Key IndicatorsBitcoin Hits 7-Month High as Coinbase CEO Sees $400,000, Says Crypto Won’t Wait for CongressMichael Saylor Says ‘Welcome Back’ as Bitcoin Bear Admits: ‘I Was Wrong’XRP Jumps 8% as Ripple Says Asset Managers Eye XRPL UpgradeTrader Notes:
Heavily followed crypto trader CrediBULL Crypto said Bitcoin is now pushing into higher-timeframe resistance, raising the risk of a short- to medium-term pullback.
He said such a move could still form a higher low above $60,000 before BTC resumes toward $100,000-plus, while consolidation could give altcoins room to rally.
Jelle noted Bitcoin’s higher high signals the start of a new bull market, with a weekly close at $83,000 or above providing further confirmation.
He believes traders now face a choice between buying immediately, waiting for confirmation or hoping for a better entry on a pullback.
Image: Shutterstock
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A crypto analyst tracking altcoin momentum says a wave of tokens is entering what he calls “phase two” of the altcoin cycle, breaking out of prolonged bearish ranges and posting fast, big moves. According to his analysis, Bitcoin is approaching two turbulence zones, the high $80,000s and the low-to-mid $90,000s, and how it behaves at those levels will set the tone for altcoins broadly.
What’s Actually Breaking Out Right Now
Several tokens have confirmed breakouts above both their daily trend lines and 200-day moving averages, a pattern the analyst treats as an early buy signal. Dogecoin has broken its daily trend after consolidating near its 200-day average, with resistance mapped at 12 cents and 15 cents.
Compound has broken its weekly trend, with targets set between $34 and $38 initially, and $50 to $60 further out. Cardano, HBAR, Filecoin, Immutable X, and Chainlink have all shown similar breakout patterns, each with their own resistance zones to watch.
XRP is described as “breaking out,” positioned alongside these other tokens as one of the fresh spot-buying opportunities currently forming. Sui, which the analyst flagged as an early entry previously, is now targeting a rally toward $1.40 to $1.80. Avalanche has hit a brief pause near resistance and is expected to need more consolidation before its next move.
Why USDT Dominance Matters Here
The analyst pointed to USDT dominance breaking down as confirmation of the broader altcoin squeeze, arguing this metric matters because it reflects capital rotating out of stablecoins and into altcoins market-wide, not just Bitcoin’s individual price action. He also flagged Total3, the combined market cap of altcoins excluding Bitcoin and Ethereum, as breaking through recent lows, another signal supporting the same thesis.
The analyst’s broader roadmap expects a push higher through the rest of 2026, followed by a cooldown period, before a potential run toward new highs in 2027.
What Could Change This
The analyst said any pullback or red day in the near term shouldn’t be read as bearish, but rather as a natural correction within the broader uptrend, an opportunity to take some profit and reposition for the next leg rather than a sign the cycle has reversed.
Story Ends Here
Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
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XRP is trading at $1.49, up 8% over 24 hours and nearly 7% over the past week, as the broader crypto market added billions in trading volume today alone. The total market cap has climbed to $2.99 trillion, up 6.2%.
It’s Not Just XRP
Bitcoin broke above $84,000 for the first time in eight months, with more than $260 million in short positions liquidated within just 60 minutes of the move. Ethereum has also surged past $2,700, its highest level in nearly eight months. Roughly $800 billion has flowed back into the crypto market since June’s lows.
A Real Technical Breakout for XRP
Beyond the broader market rally, XRP has technical reasons of its own for moving higher. XRP has broken above a key resistance zone between $1.42 and $1.43, levels tied to the previous quarter’s and previous week’s high-value trading areas. That breakout opens the door to testing $1.449 next, with $1.51 as a further target if momentum continues.
Order flow data adds to the bullish case. While funding rates remain positive, meaning the rally isn’t purely driven by short covering, cumulative volume delta has been making lower lows even as price makes higher highs, a pattern that typically signals steady buying absorbing sell pressure rather than a shaky, over-leveraged move.
Ripple Adds Fresh Fundamental News
Adding to the momentum, Ripple announced that asset managers are preparing for the XRP Ledger’s next major upgrade, an update called “Batch,” version 1.1. The feature allows linked asset and payment transfers to succeed or fail together as a single unit, a capability particularly useful for delivery-versus-payment transactions where the asset and the payment need to settle simultaneously.
RippleX Head of Engineering Ayo Akinyele said commercial projects are already being built around the feature following an extensive security review, with more details expected once it officially goes live, including specific work with major asset managers.
Why This Matters Beyond XRP
The Batch upgrade is being framed as part of a broader shift toward atomic, 24/7 settlement across traditional finance, the same trend driving stock exchanges, banks and asset managers toward round-the-clock markets. That shift wouldn’t be technically possible without blockchain infrastructure, since crypto was the first globally verifiable asset class to run real-time settlement continuously.
Macro Backdrop Adds Complexity
The Bank of Japan raised interest rates to 1.25%, the highest in 31 years, with markets already pricing in further tightening as Japan’s economy continues expanding, manufacturing PMI came in at 54.9.
SoftBank is reportedly seeking more than $11 billion in junk bonds, partly to fund additional investment in OpenAI, while Iranian lawmakers have submitted a bill to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, adding a layer of geopolitical uncertainty investors are still weighing against the rally.
Story Ends Here
Trust with CoinPedia:CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
Investment Disclaimer:All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.
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XRP climbed toward $1.50 on September 21, recovering sharply from lows near $1.27 earlier this month. That price strength arrived alongside a striking spike in exchange activity.
Average daily XRP inflows into Binance reached 21.7 million tokens, 663% above the quarterly baseline, according to on-chain data.
What Triggered This Sudden Spike in Exchange FlowsAn exchange inflow refers to tokens moving from private wallets into a trading platform, typically signaling either preparation to sell or repositioning for trading purposes. The distinction matters for interpreting XRP’s current setup.
The surge concentrated in just three sessions. Binance recorded 91.2 million tokens on September 11, 44.5 million on September 16, and 41.7 million on September 17, days that overlapped with the failed CLARITY Act vote and the Federal Reserve’s first rate hike since 2023.
Despite those large deposits, Binance’s XRP reserves rose just 0.22% to roughly 2.63 billion tokens. Daily outflows averaged 11.6 million tokens over the same period. That pattern points toward elevated two-way turnover rather than sustained one-sided selling pressure.
Whale wallets added further context. Last week, large holders increased their combined XRP holdings by approximately 1.54 billion tokens, worth $2.2 billion, within 96 hours, according to Santiment-linked data shared by analyst Ali Martinez, reinforcing the accumulation narrative surrounding the token.
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XRP Price Analysis. Source: X/@CryptoOnchainCould This Rally Reverse in the Coming Sessions?Technical indicators point to specific levels worth watching closely. XRP recently formed a rare bullish setup, only the fourth time in its trading history that price rebounded this sharply from a key long-term support band, with the 50-week moving average near $1.51 standing out as the primary target.
Clearing that level convincingly could open a path toward the $1.80 pocket. A key volume-based support zone sits near $1.38, an area where heavy prior trading activity has repeatedly reinforced price stability.
Network metrics remain mixed, though. The network value to transactions ratio fell 32.1% and transaction counts declined, even as open interest climbed to $477 million with liquidations occurring on both sides. Rising leverage suggests potential for expanded volatility rather than a confirmed directional trend.
XRP Price Performance. Source: BeInCryptoA rejection at the 50-week moving average could trigger a pullback toward that $1.38 support zone. Losing that level might expose the $1.29 to $1.30 region next, where a shorter-term moving average and recent accumulation activity converge.
Stable exchange reserves and continued whale accumulation offer some cushion against extreme downside scenarios. Still, elevated leverage means sharp moves remain possible in either direction.
Market participants continue monitoring volume, funding rates, and net exchange flows closely as the current $1.40 to $1.55 range plays out this week.
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In the cryptocurrency market, XRP, which has been less prominent than other altcoins in the recent surge, has come back into the spotlight thanks to intense buying by large whales. Crypto analyst Ali Martinez stated that whales recently accumulated over $2 billion worth of XRP, and that this demand is beginning to show its effect on the price.
According to Martinez, XRP gained 8.22% in just three days, and the analyst claims that on-chain data suggests there may still be room for further gains. The URPD (UTXO Realized Price Distribution) data shared by the analyst indicates, in his view, that there is relatively limited resistance up to $1.60 above current levels.
Martinez noted that approximately 2.5 billion XRP had previously changed hands around $1.60, identifying this level as the next significant resistance zone. According to the analyst, if XRP reaches this level, investors may engage in profit-taking, and selling pressure could increase.
According to the latest data, XRP is trading at approximately $1.49, having risen by 6.33% in the last 24 hours and 5.08% in the last week.
*This is not investment advice.
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XRP is once again pressing toward a price level that has repeatedly stopped its advances for months.
The make-it-or-break-it $1.50 level appears to be the key threshold that could determine whether the latest recovery develops into a much larger move.
Crypto trader Dom (@traderview2) took note of this level after XRP tested its three-month and six-month rolling volume-weighted average prices, or rVWAPs, as support this week.
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$XRP update
This week price tested the 3M & 6M rVWAP as support for the first time in over a year - positive sign
Flipping $1.50 to support is still the only thing that matters here in the immediate
That will open the door for a fierce move to $1.80+
All eyes on the level… https://t.co/oMSwKdsOkF pic.twitter.com/POj7L6tTFN
— Dom (@traderview2) September 21, 2026 According to Dom, however, turning $1.50 from resistance into support would be a more important development.
"Flipping $1.50 to support is still the only thing that matters here in the immediate," he said. Such a move could "open the door for a fierce move to $1.80+."
The accompanying XRP/USDT daily chart shows why the $1.50 area carries so much technical weight.
XRP has repeatedly encountered selling pressure around roughly $1.48-$1.55 since February.
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Several attempts to move through that area in February, March, April, and May were rejected.
The latest rally produced another test of the same region. XRP briefly pushed substantially above it, with a long upside wick extending toward the $1.70 area, before sellers forced the price back beneath $1.50.
Dom noted that XRP has effectively remained trapped beneath the key level for roughly 230 days.
Bulls would need to establish acceptance above it and, ideally, successfully retest the area as support.
Rough XRP data According to CoinGlass data, futures open interest stood at approximately $3.18 billion, while 24-hour futures volume reached $3.90 billion.
That compares with only about $717 million in spot volume.
Open interest was also rising across many major exchanges. Binance XRP open interest increased 3.15%, OKX rose 6.11%, Gate climbed 5.76%, and MEXC jumped 10.17%.
Binance’s XRP long-to-short account ratio stood at 2.16, while the exchange’s top-trader account ratio reached 2.59.
XRP Holds Weekly Rebound Near $1.41 as 50-Week SMA Stands at $1.56.
XRP closed the latest week around $1.41, maintaining most of its rebound from the $1.28 area, according to the weekly XRP/USDT chart. The move leaves the cryptocurrency below its 50-week simple moving average, which currently sits near $1.56.
The latest weekly candle opened at approximately $1.4109, reached a high of $1.4388 and a low of $1.4036, with the chart showing the price around $1.4297 after a weekly gain of about 1.33%. Reported weekly volume stands at approximately 10.52 million XRP.
XRP Remains Below 50-Week SMA The 50-week SMA at roughly $1.5576 is the nearest major moving-average level displayed above XRP’s current price. From $1.41, XRP would need an increase of approximately 10.5% to reach $1.56.
XRP weekly chart and 50 Week SMA The chart shows XRP trading below this moving average after a prolonged decline from its 2025 highs. XRP previously traded above $3.40 before entering a sequence of lower weekly highs and lower lows that eventually brought the price close to $1.00.
The recent rebound began after XRP briefly moved toward the $1.00 area. Price then recovered sharply toward $1.40 before entering a narrower weekly range.
Longer-Term Moving Averages Remain Overhead The chart displays two additional long-term moving averages. One is positioned near $1.5108, while the 200-week SMA stands substantially higher at approximately $1.9877.
This creates a concentration of moving-average levels between roughly $1.51 and $1.56, immediately above the current market price. XRP is presently trading below both levels.
A weekly close above the $1.56 50-week SMA would represent a technical reclaim of that specific long-term moving average. It would also place XRP above the nearby $1.51 moving-average level shown on the chart.
200-week moving average around $1.99 would remain above price.
Latest Weekly Candles Show Consolidation The five most recent weekly candles show XRP stabilizing after its sharp rebound from around $1.00. The largest candle in this sequence records the initial upward recovery, while the following candles have noticeably smaller bodies.
Several of the recent candles also contain both upper and lower wicks, showing that price moved in both directions during those weekly sessions before returning toward the $1.30–$1.40 region.
Based on the levels displayed, XRP currently sits around $1.41, with the nearby long-term moving-average cluster at approximately $1.51–$1.56 and 200 SMA moving average near $1.99.
Ripple’s XRP is approaching a technically important inflection point after rebounding sharply from its recent lows. The recovery has brought the price back to the upper boundary of its declining structure, where a confirmed breakout could shift short-term momentum further in favor of buyers.
Ripple Price Analysis: The Daily Chart On the daily timeframe, XRP continues to recover from the sharp August rally and subsequent consolidation. The asset is currently trading around $1.48, comfortably above the major moving averages shown on the chart.
The recent correction found support near the 200-day moving average around $1.27-$1.28. Buyers responded aggressively from this region, preventing a deeper retracement and pushing XRP back toward the upper portion of its recent range.
However, the major overhead supply zone remains considerably higher at $1.61-$1.70. This area marks the principal resistance that buyers would ultimately need to reclaim before a broader bullish continuation becomes more convincing.
For now, holding above the $1.27-$1.30 region keeps the larger recovery structure intact. A renewed rejection and breakdown below this support would weaken the setup and could expose the lower moving average near $1.18, while the major demand zone around $0.93-$0.97 remains the deeper structural support.
XRP/USDT 4-Hour Chart The 4-hour timeframe highlights the immediate decision point more clearly. XRP has been trading within a descending channel, but the latest rebound from the $1.22-$1.28 demand zone has driven the price all the way back toward the channel’s upper boundary around $1.43-$1.45.
Importantly, the recovery also reclaimed the $1.33-$1.36 zone, which had previously acted as a key short-term barrier. As long as the asset remains above this region, buyers retain control of the latest recovery leg.
The next challenge is a confirmed breakout above the descending trendline. A sustained move beyond roughly $1.45 would invalidate the immediate bearish channel structure and could allow XRP to target the $1.51-$1.55 resistance zone. Beyond that, the larger $1.61-$1.65 supply region would become the next major objective.
On the other hand, another rejection from the descending trendline would indicate that the corrective structure remains active. In that scenario, the reclaimed $1.33-$1.36 zone would be the first key support to watch. Losing it could shift attention back toward the major $1.22-$1.28 demand area, where the latest recovery originated.
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Pontes, the European Central Bank’s wholesale digital settlement bridge, went live on Monday, September 21. ECB President Christine Lagarde confirmed the launch following the Eurogroup meeting.
Four day-one market operators are now connected. One of them runs infrastructure derived from XRP Ledger technology. That detail has put Pontes firmly on the radar of XRP investors globally.
What Pontes Actually Does, and Why XRPL Is in the Room At its core, Pontes connects market DLT platforms to the Eurosystem’s existing TARGET payment rails.
Tokenized securities can now settle the cash leg in real central-bank money.
Settlement runs via a dual model, either cash tokens on a Eurosystem DLT, or a trigger into T2 real-time gross settlement. The technical shorthand is DvP via Hash-Link.
The four day-one operators are Clearstream, SWIAT, Cashlink, and Axiology. Axiology is a Lithuanian DLT firm founded by former Bank of Lithuania board member Marius Jurgilas.
ECB annexes from the 2024 wholesale trials confirmed that Axiology’s settlement system benefits from XRP Ledger technology.
That does not mean the ECB settled in public $XRP. Cash still clears in euro central bank money. Axiology runs a permissioned, XRPL-derived stack on the asset leg.
That distinction matters. Isabel Schnabel argued last month that on-chain central-bank money is no longer optional for euro sovereignty. Pontes is the ECB’s answer. Today it stops being a pilot.
The system runs roughly from 09:00 to 16:00 CET on TARGET business days. Launch fees are set at EUR 2,500 per participant and EUR 15,000 per operator, with no per-trade charge at start.
The ECB targets longer hours in 2027 and 24/7 multi-currency settlement by mid-2028.
What It Means for XRP, and Where the Investor Trap Lies The context for XRP bulls keeps building. Ripple holds a MiCA passport across the EEA.
Aviva’s tokenized fund on XRPL is already live. JPMorgan, Ondo, and Ripple completed a cross-border tokenized treasury settlement on XRPL earlier this year.
XRPL RWA holdings are cited near $4 billion. And XRPL 3.4.0 lending amendments are already live on the protocol.
But 21Shares has flagged the tension plainly, utility can scale without driving XRP token demand.
Institutions can adopt XRPL-derived rails without buying public XRP. Axiology’s role inside Pontes is the clearest live example yet of that split. Technology adoption is confirmed. Token demand is not automatic.
Still, the direction is clear. Ripple’s wholesale tokenization push is gaining institutional ground on both sides of the Atlantic.
Atomic settlement via Batch V1.1 is pulling the public XRPL closer to what institutional DvP workflows require.
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