XRP is hovering around $1.30 as traders assess whether the cryptocurrency can maintain this key support or face another move lower. The token, which is used by Ripple for fast global payments, has slipped 0.47% in the past 24 hours and 7.21% over the past week, according to CoinGecko. Over the same period, its daily trading volume reached $1,006,675,899.
XRP price analysis: Key levels and technical outlookTechnical analyst Vuori Trading identified the $1.30 to $1.32 range as a crucial support zone. The next significant resistance appears at $1.39. Should XRP break above its current descending channel, the analyst sees potential for a rally toward $1.87.
However, this bullish scenario depends on a confirmed breakout. Failure to clear resistance could push XRP lower, with Vuori Trading stating that $1.16 may become the next key level if support breaks.
Vuori Trading points to the importance of the $1.30-$1.32 zone, calling $1.39 the next logical level if support holds. In the analyst’s view, a breakout from the channel could open a path to $1.87, but a rejection might lead the downtrend toward $1.16.
Another market analyst, Cryptoinsightuk, offers a more cautious outlook. While acknowledging that $1.30 could be the short-term range low and $1.60 the upper boundary, the analyst prefers a lower entry point around $1.22.
The analyst highlights that XRP recently approached its lows, while Bitcoin has maintained a higher low. This divergence could be significant if Bitcoin pulls more liquidity away from altcoins like XRP.
Mini dictionary: Ripple, a technology company behind XRP, focuses on facilitating real-time cross-border payments using blockchain technology. The XRP token serves as a bridge currency in Ripple’s payment solution, aiming to increase transaction speed and reduce costs for financial institutions.
Bitcoin trend and XRP downside riskCryptoinsightuk observed Bitcoin’s recent price structure, noting that the leading cryptocurrency established a range near $80,000 to $87,000 before testing its lower boundary on October 15. The analyst draws parallels with past market behavior, where Bitcoin swept support before rebounding.
Cryptoinsightuk suggests that while $1.30 might be an attractive entry for some traders, a more favorable entry could be near $1.22, pointing to a liquidity zone between $1.24 and $1.20 as an area of interest for possible accumulation.
Two possible paths are outlined for Bitcoin: a shallow correction, potentially already in progress, or a deeper ABC correction, with the latter remaining the analyst’s preferred outlook. This analysis raises caution for XRP holders, as continued Bitcoin strength often leads to capital rotating away from altcoins.
The analyst also pointed to a breakout in Bitcoin dominance on the weekly chart, suggesting Bitcoin could continue to attract a larger share of overall crypto market capital. In such an environment, altcoins like XRP may face added pressure, even if Bitcoin rallies.
The immediate focus for XRP is whether the $1.30 support will hold and offer a base for a rebound toward $1.39. However, if sellers regain momentum, downside levels such as $1.24, $1.22, or even $1.16 could come into play.
As traders continue to monitor price reaction at key support and resistance zones, XRP remains at a critical juncture with both bullish and bearish scenarios possible in the near term.
LevelScenario if Held/Breached$1.39Resistance; break above could target $1.87$1.30-$1.32Support; holds may signal rebound, break may lead lower$1.22-$1.24Liquidity/entry zone for cautious buyers$1.16Possible next support if downtrend continues
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.
Activity on the XRP Ledger just dropped sharply. Payment volume, which tracks XRP sent from one account to another, fell to 119.5 million XRP on October 17. That is a 72.3% drop in a single day. The 30-day average sits at 629.3 million, so the latest print is far below normal. The all-time high is 7 billion, which shows how small today's number is by comparison.
Price has no substance Data for October 18 shows approximately 37.5 million XRP so far, down another 68.6%. The day is not finished, so this figure will likely rise. Even so, the direction is clear. Over the past year, daily volume typically stayed between 300 million and 1 billion, with spikes to 2.5 billion in November and February. Readings near 100 million are rare.
XRP/USDT Chart by TradingViewOne weak day does not establish a trend. Payment volume jumps around a lot, and quiet weekends often deliver low numbers. Both drops landed on a Friday and Saturday. Still, the timing matters because price is also under pressure.
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Rally has no fuel leftXRP trades near $1.30 after falling from a September high around $1.66. It has now slipped beneath the 50, 100, and 200-day moving averages, which sit between $1.34 and $1.38. Those lines now act as resistance. The RSI is near 40, which indicates weak momentum but not an oversold market. Trading volume has also dwindled since the August spike.
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The nearest support is the $1.25 to $1.27 area, where buyers stepped in during mid-September and again this week. A close beneath that zone would put $1.15 in view, and the $1.00 base from August after that. For bulls, the first target is a move back above $1.34 to $1.38. Without that, rallies are likely to fail.
The price drop and the weak chart point the same way. Fewer coins are moving, and fewer buyers are pushing the price up. If ledger activity returns to the 500 million level within the next few days, the drop was noise. If it remains low while XRP holds below the moving averages, the risk of a break beneath $1.25 grows.
A heated discussion has emerged within the XRP community over whether the cryptocurrency’s price must reach $1,000 per token for it to serve as a global bridge asset in large-scale transactions, including potential projects with the Federal Reserve and Ripple. The question highlights an ongoing debate about the relationship between XRP’s price, its liquidity, and its capacity to handle institutional-grade cross-border payments.
The case for a $1,000 price targetEira, a crypto enthusiast active in the XRP ecosystem, shared that some supporters argue XRP must attain a price of $1,000 or higher to support the scale of transfers Ripple envisions. This view is based on the belief that only at such price levels can enough value be concentrated into a manageable number of tokens, enabling massive, instantaneous settlement for projects conducting global cross-border payments.
The core of this argument is liquidity. Advocates stress that at a price of $1 per token, the market cannot accommodate the volume of large international transactions without risking significant price slippage or a shortage of available tokens. If the token price climbs to $1,000, they argue, fewer tokens would be required to facilitate the same value, improving efficiency and ensuring smoother settlements.
Some community members often repeat the claim that in order for $XRP to see broad use in cross-border payments—especially those involving institutional partners like the Federal Reserve and Ripple—the price must reach around $1,000 per token or higher to handle the envisioned transaction volumes.
Counterpoint: Liquidity and market depthOthers in the crypto space contest this narrative. The Crypto Compass, a well-known analyst in the blockchain sector, emphasized that the solution lies not in the unit price, but in the depth of XRP’s liquidity.
He pointed out that even billion-dollar transactions rely on the presence of sufficient buyers and sellers within the market. According to his view, deeper liquidity on both sides of the order book, rather than a high token price, ensures that large transfers can be executed smoothly without destabilizing the market.
The Crypto Compass stated that bridge assets like XRP do not require a high token value to function; instead, they need robust liquidity. Transaction success is determined by the ability of the market to match large orders, regardless of the current price per coin.
Mini dictionary: Liquidity, a measure of how quickly and easily an asset can be traded on the open market without affecting its price, is crucial for enabling large-scale and efficient settlements in any financial ecosystem.
How much does price matter?Kemp, another member of the discussion, added nuance by highlighting how liquidity and price interact. He suggests that when the price per token is low, large payments require a more substantial portion of all XRP in circulation, potentially stretching available liquidity. Kemp explained that a $1 million transaction at a $1 token price would mean moving one million XRP—posing more challenges than if price per token were higher.
Token PriceTokens Needed for $1M Payment$11,000,000$1,0001,000The practical concern is that, at lower price levels, a single institutional transfer could absorb a much larger share of market liquidity, potentially impacting price stability or transaction feasibility.
Beyond token price: The role of velocity and market structureTHIB, a well-followed crypto commentator, brought further perspective by noting that settlement capacity depends on multiple factors. Token velocity—the rate at which a digital asset changes hands—and broader market depth also play important roles in handling large funds transfers. He pointed out that XRP does not necessarily have to hit $1,000 to support institutional-scale payments.
The ongoing debate reflects contrasting views on how XRP’s technical architecture, market economics, and practical adoption intersect as Ripple aims to increase the scale of its payment solutions worldwide. While some champion a high target price as a requirement for mass adoption, others prioritize liquidity and turnover within the ecosystem.
Activity on the XRP Ledger, the decentralized blockchain known for facilitating fast and inexpensive cross-border payments, experienced a sharp downturn as payment volume, which tracks XRP transfers between accounts, dropped to 119.5 million XRP on October 17. This figure represents a 72.3% decline compared to the previous day and marks one of the lowest daily readings on record, far below the 30-day average of 629.3 million XRP. For perspective, the all-time high in daily payments reached 7 billion XRP.
Payment volumes and volatilityData for October 18 continues to show weakness, with payment volumes near 37.5 million XRP so far—down another 68.6%. This number may rise before day’s end, but remains far below typical activity levels. Historically, daily volume on the XRP Ledger ranged between 300 million and 1 billion XRP over the past year, with occasional spikes up to 2.5 billion in November and February. Daily figures below 100 million are considered rare events.
One or two quiet sessions do not confirm a broader trend, as payment flows often fluctuate significantly and weekends tend to deliver lower volumes. Notably, both of the recent sharp declines occurred on a Friday and Saturday.
Despite the drop, historical patterns suggest brief periods of low activity, especially on weekends, are possible. However, the current decline comes at a time when price action is also weakening, amplifying concern among traders.
Mini dictionary: XRP Ledger, a decentralized, public blockchain created to settle payments using XRP, known for its rapid settlement times and low fees.
Market indicators point to mounting pressureThe declining payment volumes align with ongoing price softness in XRP. The token now trades close to $1.30 after falling from a September peak near $1.66. In recent sessions, XRP has dropped below its 50, 100, and 200-day moving averages, each of which range from $1.34 to $1.38. These moving averages now serve as technical resistance levels, making it harder for the price to rebound.
Momentum has weakened, as indicated by the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at approximately 40. This suggests subdued buyer interest, but not yet an oversold setup. In addition, trading volume in the spot market has faded since an uptick observed in August.
Date/MetricPayment Volume (XRP)Price30-Day AvgMoving AveragesOct 17119.5 million$1.30629.3 million$1.34-$1.38Oct 18 (so far)37.5 million–––All-Time High7 billion–––Support and resistance levels in focusImmediate support sits in the $1.25 to $1.27 range, a zone where buyers intervened during mid-September and again this week. If XRP closes below this level, technical charts indicate the next downside target at $1.15, followed by a stronger floor near $1.00 set in August.
For bullish traders, the first hurdle is a move back above the $1.34 to $1.38 band. Without regaining these levels, any rebounds are likely to stall, reinforcing the challenge for positive momentum.
Fewer XRP tokens are circulating on the ledger, and with prices below major moving averages, the risk of a further breakdown increases if activity does not recover. A revival of payment volume toward the 500 million level would help reverse sentiment. Otherwise, sustained weakness could drive the price below critical support.
If ledger activity remains muted while XRP hovers under its moving averages, analysts note an elevated risk that the token could breach the $1.25 support area and face further selling pressure.
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.
The Web3 gaming industry is on the verge of a trading card game (TCG) boom that will attract venture funds and specialized ETFs in the coming years. This was stated by Kaj Leroy, known by the nickname Brad Punkhouse, a key developer of the XRP Ledger ecosystem and creator of the first major NFT collection built on XRP (XPUNKs).
In his assessment, the sector is shifting toward hybrid products at the intersection of the real world and blockchain, while the rest of the market is missing the trend.
"Trading cards have been around for over a century, so none of this is new. What's new is crypto catching on," the developer notes. In his view, the mass market needs tangible assets, because "normies want something easy to understand that they can hold in their hands."
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Physical cards and the opening of real booster packs ensure long-term user engagement, building much stronger social bonds within communities than passively watching the price chart of PFP collections.
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Kaj emphasizes that the complexity of developing a blockchain TCG acts as a natural defense against quick speculative projects: "The hardest part isn't the art or the hype. It's building a game that's actually fun and actually works." Balancing game mathematics requires significant resources, since a deck of 150 cards can generate more combinations than there are atoms in the observable universe.
Projects that started development early gain a strategic advantage in logistics and production, because "physical products take way more time than anything onchain."
Why burn NFTs for paperAs evidence of the trend, the creator of XPUNKs cites the figures of his own hybrid project, Fuzzycards, on the XRP Ledger, with an issuance of about 100,000 booster packs, where NFT holders burned them to have physical cards delivered. The process is already extending beyond the XRP ecosystem: the launch by Yuga Labs of Mudwater cards on the Solana blockchain, where each real pack in storage is tied to an NFT, confirms the institutionalization of the mechanic.
In the developer's estimate, the current situation in the sector is comparable to the rise of the Pokémon franchise in the 1990s. He predicts that the hype will inevitably spread to other major brands (Mario, Harry Potter, Tolkien's Middle-earth), which will move their TCGs onto onchain rails to control the secondary market.
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Summing up the prospects of a sector hidden from most before the arrival of institutional capital, Kaj added: "Next comes TCG ETFs, hedge funds, VCs and much more. The market is about to get a lot bigger. We're early."
John Hallahan, Director of Business Solutions and Advisory (EMEA) at Fireblocks, confirmed that the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC) will launch its tokenization service at the end of October. During a video interview, Hallahan specified, “DTCC’s tokenization service is launching at the end of the month. I believe it’s on the 28th.”
Institutional participants and readinessFireblocks, a leading institutional digital asset custody and transfer platform, plays a key role in connecting multinational financial players with blockchain-based infrastructure. The company enables support for asset transfers across multiple blockchains, including networks such as XRP, XLM, and HBAR. Hallahan stated that Fireblocks is working closely with several DTCC program participants, notably including Citadel, a major global financial institution and market maker.
The participation of Citadel signals that large trading firms and liquidity providers are not waiting on the sidelines as the DTCC moves to integrate tokenization into market infrastructure. Instead, these stakeholders appear to be actively preparing for the transition and investing in the necessary systems before the official launch.
Participants in DTCC’s tokenization working group are preparing for the official launch date, with readiness efforts involving firms such as Citadel and connectivity solutions from Fireblocks.
Crypto researcher SMQKE posted the Hallahan interview video on X, highlighting this as the first public confirmation from a DTCC working group participant about the exact go-live date for the service.
DTCC’s market role and structural impactThe DTCC is a central financial institution that processes more than $2 quadrillion in securities transactions every year. It serves as the backbone of settlement and clearing operations for the United States’ financial markets, ensuring that settlements are executed reliably and efficiently between institutional participants.
Tokenizing securities and moving them onto blockchain networks represents a major evolution for traditional finance. For a financial institution of DTCC’s scale to adopt on-chain settlement processes marks a notable structural shift, creating new opportunities for improved transparency, speed, and efficiency in securities trading.
Mini dictionary: DTCC (Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation), the primary clearinghouse for U.S. equities and fixed-income securities, manages trade settlement, asset custody, and post-trade processing for banks, brokers, and investment managers.
Tokenization, settlement speed, and future adoptionOn-chain tokenized securities are expected to allow atomic settlement, removing traditional T+1 and T+2 delays in equity markets. This would enable institutional market makers to manage collateral with increased efficiency and gain immediate access to liquidity at any time. Hallahan suggested that after the U.S. debut, other regions are developing similar capabilities at various stages, with accelerated adoption likely to follow DTCC’s lead.
Fireblocks is positioning itself to bridge institutional participants to both private and public chains. With existing connectivity to blockchains such as XRP, XLM, and HBAR, Fireblocks is drawing attention among enterprise blockchain observers.
Trading activity and imminent launchAccording to Hallahan, active trades on tokenized securities via the DTCC infrastructure are expected to begin by the end of October. He noted, “You’d expect to see some really interesting trades happening from the end of this month.”
The involvement of notable market makers like Citadel and Fireblocks’ operational support for the working group indicate that October 28 is expected to bring substantial institutional trading activity and a robust rollout of the DTCC’s tokenized service.
InstitutionRole in DTCC Tokenization LaunchDTCCProvides tokenization infrastructure for securities settlementFireblocksSupplies custody and blockchain connectivity layerCitadelPrepares trading infrastructure as a participant
Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto has pointed to recurring similarities in XRP’s price chart, drawing parallels to two previous market cycles that both preceded notable upward moves. As XRP trades near a key uptrend support, the analyst is focused on whether the monthly candle will confirm a breakout retest and open the door to further gains.
XRP cycle analysis highlights three-stage patternEgrag Crypto’s recent analysis, shared on X, explores how XRP’s monthly chart has exhibited a repeating three-step sequence during major historical moves: breakout, correction, and a rejection candle at critical support.
In earlier cycles, the first candle typically delivered a strong rally, marked by an upper wick. This advance was followed by a correction phase, which saw a bearish engulfing candle and a retest of the breakout zone. The third part of the sequence brought a bullish rejection candle near the rising support, historically preceding a sustained upward expansion in XRP’s price.
Egrag Crypto suggests the current market structure closely resembles these earlier phases. He notes previous breakout-retest points from 2020 and 2023, with the present chart setup again testing the long-term rising yellow trendline.
The cycle’s third candle, described as “dragonfly-like,” is considered the potential signal that could foreshadow another rally. While the chart echoes the prior stages, the next decisive move depends on whether XRP can reject lower prices at key support and form another bullish monthly candle similar to those seen during previous breakouts.
Egrag Crypto is monitoring the coming monthly candle to see if XRP will once again mirror the pattern by bouncing from support right after a breakout retest, which would reinforce his historical comparison.
Candle formation still awaits confirmationAs of now, Egrag Crypto has not observed the completion of the anticipated bullish candle. He emphasizes the importance of a clear signal, stating that until a convincing monthly rejection forms at the trendline, the recurring pattern remains unverified in the current cycle.
The analyst’s chart indicates price levels at $1.61 and $2.40 above XRP’s current value, with another technical level at $1.07 serving as a projected retest area. These reference points help set context for potential moves should the chart pattern play out.
However, Egrag Crypto points out that the existence of a pattern alone does not guarantee a repeat outcome. He expects the market to provide confirmation before assuming another strong rally could develop.
Other observers have conveyed caution, with at least one commenter, DJTuin591, noting that back-to-back historical cycles do not ensure a third. Confirmation by price action would matter more than simply identifying a familiar chart structure.
A similar formation could increase confidence, but chart patterns only outline possible scenarios and do not offer certainty about future price moves. For traders, it remains essential to monitor whether XRP delivers a strong bullish rejection candle before considering the cycle truly repeated.
Beyond technical setups, tracking investor sentiment and the behavior of major holders continues to play a role in price action around significant resistance and support areas. Especially in fast-moving segments such as meme tokens, timely observation of these dynamics can be crucial.
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” that 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.
For now, Egrag Crypto’s focus remains on the anticipated third monthly candle. Its formation would strengthen the historical comparison and may point to the next major development in the XRP price cycle.
Bitcoin and XRP price trends remained weak ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections, with recent recovery attempts losing momentum.
Bitcoin traded above $81,800, while XRP struggled below $1.30 as the broader cryptocurrency market sought firmer footing.
Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister outlined a conditional timetable for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Abbas Araghchi said shipping could resume within six days if Washington accepted Tehran’s terms. Negotiations would restart on the seventh day under the proposal, which still requires American approval.
BREAKING: 🇮🇷 Iran’s Foreign Minister says the Strait of Hormuz could reopen within 6 days if the US accepts its terms with negotiations set to resume on day 7.
— Bull Theory (@BullTheoryio) October 18, 2026
U.S. Midterm Elections 2026: Americans Vote on November 3 Midterm elections for the U.S. Congress are Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, to decide control of both chambers. Voters will elect all 435 House members and 35 senators, including seats contested through special elections.
The nationwide vote comes halfway through President Donald Trump’s second term, with his legislative agenda facing a crucial test. There will also be races for governorships in 36 states and many other state legislative and local government races.
Some Americans get to vote early in the states where early voting is available, with different states having different schedules and deadlines for early voting.
The November elections are set for across-the-country contests that will kick off new congressional terms on Jan. 3, 2027. The results will shape federal spending, lawmaking, and oversight for two years.
Bitcoin and XRP price action remains under scrutiny on Sunday as ETF withdrawals and Michael Saylor’s message draw market attention.
The SEC’s proposed crypto framework remains open for comments until October 20, leaving claims of Monday’s rollout unconfirmed.
Saylor Signals Buying as ETF Demand Weakens Michael Saylor’s message, “We found room for more orange,” has renewed speculation about another Bitcoin purchase by Strategy. The company reports 848,250 BTC, while the size and timing of its next purchase remain undisclosed.
We found room for more orange. https://t.co/XAgiEZbXgO
— Michael Saylor (@saylor) October 18, 2026
The Federal Reserve meets October 27–28, with its decision due October 28 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.
Fedmatch data U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs lost $82.39 million on October 16, including $71.78 million withdrawn from BlackRock’s IBIT.
Meanwhile, XRP ETFs recorded $1.84 million in weekly outflows, ending 13 consecutive weeks of positive flows. The funds attracted fresh capital on only one trading day during the week, according to reported flow data.
Source: Sosovalue data XRP ETFs recorded daily net outflows of $2.47 million, with total net assets of $1.47 billion.
Bitcoin and XRP Price Levels to Watch Bitcoin long-term prediction faces resistance near $82,000, with $82,500 becoming a potential recovery target if buyers secure a sustained breakout. Support is near $81,000, and a breakdown could lead to $80,700 and then $80k.
Source: BTC/USDT 4-hour chart: TradingView XRP price is currently consolidating around $1.29, initially supported by $1.27, and with a resistance level between $1.31 and $1.32. Based on current chart analysis, a breakout above $1.35 will leave $1.25 exposed, should the support level be broken.
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is set to implement a new network amendment, fixCleanup3_4_0, following backing from 30 out of 36 trusted validators. The upgrade, projected to activate at approximately 09:34 UTC on October 23, surpasses the required threshold of 29 validator votes.
Technical update targets token permissions and infrastructure bugsThe fixCleanup3_4_0 amendment prioritizes technical improvements rather than introducing large new features. Its main focus is on resolving issues affecting token permissions, automated market makers, escrow mechanisms, and the infrastructure supporting future lending systems. Unlike XRPL’s recent batch upgrades, this change aims to correct flaws and safeguard the proper functioning of existing and pending features.
One of the key issues addressed involves the PaymentBurn permission that was recently rolled out as part of XRPL’s permission delegation model. Specifically, an unintended flaw allowed accounts with PaymentBurn privileges to create new trust-line or multi-purpose tokens under certain conditions. The XRPL team has cautioned against delegating PaymentBurn permission until the new amendment takes effect, as the upgrade will close this loophole by preventing certain payments from crossing a zero balance when that permission is exercised.
Official XRPL documentation advises, “Until the fixCleanup3_4_0 amendment is enabled, you should avoid delegating the PaymentBurn permission to any account.”
Alongside this revision, the update corrects issues relating to automated market maker clawbacks, token authorization processes, management of escrow reserves, handling of transaction signatures, and calculation methods involving Single Asset Vaults.
Some of these fixes address features not yet available on the public network, underscoring XRPL’s practice of releasing code ahead of actual network approval. Activation of such features still depends on further validator support.
Mini dictionary: Trusted validators, a select group of independent network participants responsible for voting on software upgrades and amendments to the XRP Ledger protocol. Their approval is essential for enabling or activating new features.
Lending protocol amendments fail to reach consensusIn contrast to the progress of the fixCleanup3_4_0 amendment, XRPL’s proposed native lending protocol is yet to gather enough validator support for activation. As of October 18, only 19 validators backed both the LendingProtocol and LendingProtocolV1_1 amendments, and SingleAssetVault received support from 21 validators—well short of the required 29 approvals.
If implemented, the lending framework would introduce fixed-term loans supported by pooled assets, with credit checks and risk assessments handled outside the blockchain infrastructure. Single Asset Vaults are designed to help users pool their funds, whereas LendingProtocol provides the core tools for creating and managing loans. The V1_1 version would add new vault types and changes in the way interest is accounted for.
Recently published validator analyses, including one from Coinpaper, indicate that the proposed lending amendments have consistently trailed the approval threshold, delaying any potential launch date for these features.
AmendmentValidators in FavorRequired VotesfixCleanup3_4_03029LendingProtocol1929LendingProtocolV1_11929SingleAssetVault2129This outcome highlights the XRPL amendment process, where technical readiness and actual network activation are distinct steps. Developers can include new functionality in the public codebase, but operational status depends on achieving broad validator consensus over a two-week period. If support falls to 80% or below, the activation timer resets.
Developers may integrate new features in code releases, but trusted validators must approve amendments before activation on the XRPL mainnet.
Growing toolkit for developers despite slow lending progressWhile the proposed lending system faces delays, recent XRPL reforms—including expanded account permissions and transaction batching—have continued to broaden the capabilities available to developers and fintech applications on the ledger. These changes are part of XRPL’s ongoing effort to support more sophisticated financial use cases beyond simple payments.
XRP may reach $12.95 if it achieves 10% market share within the cryptocurrency market, according to calculations shared by XRP advocate John Squire. Squire highlighted the analysis of crypto market commentator Steph Is Crypto, who modeled potential returns for holders based on different scenarios of XRP’s market dominance.
In a recent video circulated by Squire, Steph Is Crypto examined what a hypothetical holding of 500 XRP could be worth under several market conditions. Steph Is Crypto used current total crypto market capitalization data to estimate XRP’s future price at various levels of market share.
At a 5% market dominance, the analysis projected that 500 XRP would be valued at $1,700, based on an individual token price of $3.40. If XRP captures 7% of the market, the same holding could increase to $3,400, implying a token price of $6.80.
The most optimistic scenario involves XRP attaining 10% dominance, which would result in 500 XRP being worth approximately $6,475. Under that projection, the price per token would be about $12.95.
Market Share (%)Token Price ($)Value of 500 XRP ($)53.401,70076.803,4001012.956,475Steph Is Crypto emphasized that these models rely on hypothetical changes in market dominance and should not be seen as predictions of XRP’s actual end-of-year price.
At 5% market share, 500 units of XRP could be worth $1,700, while a 10% share projects a value close to $6,475 for the same holding. These figures reflect the mathematical impact of market dominance scenarios, not definitive expectations for where XRP will trade.
What Could Influence XRP’s Market Position?XRP’s market share could rise if its market capitalization grows faster than other digital assets. An increase may also happen in broader downturns, provided XRP outperforms competing cryptocurrencies during market corrections.
Several factors could contribute to XRP gaining higher dominance. Expanded participation by institutional investors through regulated investment vehicles could increase capital inflows. In addition, wider adoption of XRP for cross-border payments and settlements could spur demand, particularly among financial institutions needing reliable liquidity options.
Regulatory developments might also play a role by providing greater clarity and reducing uncertainty for companies considering integrating XRP or other digital assets into their operations.
Mini dictionary: Market dominance, or market share, refers to the percentage of the total cryptocurrency market capitalization attributed to a particular asset, measuring its relative size against all available cryptocurrencies.
While these factors could support growth, such high dominance levels would require XRP to consistently outpace the rest of the crypto sector.
Limitations and Uncertainty of Price ProjectionsSteph Is Crypto stressed that the outlined scenarios are purely mathematical. Achieving the $12.95 target would require significant shifts in market dynamics, capital inflows, and widespread adoption well beyond current levels. By comparison, reaching the $3.40 price point at 5% market dominance is seen as a less aggressive—but still uncertain—outcome.
The value projections give holders a way to understand how increased market share would impact their $XRP holdings, but the likelihood of these prices being reached by year-end remains unpredictable.
Neither analyst suggested that XRP is guaranteed to achieve these prices in 2026. The actual market trading price will reflect a complex mix of demand, supply, institutional activity, and regulatory considerations as the year progresses.
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.
XRP holders should exercise maximum caution: the integration of the XRP Ledger into the banking sector, the launch of the RLUSD stablecoin, and Evernorth treasury transfers have had an unexpected side effect. While Ripple cements its institutional recognition, scammers have begun mass-stealing the names of well-known financial institutions, turning real corporate news into a tool for stealing assets.
This week, an XRPL Foundation contributor under the handle '@Vet_X0' warned investors about a new scheme. Scammers generate "beautiful" wallet addresses (vanity addresses) and issue dummy tokens that imitate brands from recent announcements.
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This signals a change in tactics: the focus has shifted from hunting for bugs in code to social engineering. Previous technical incidents, from the summer Rippling-drainer botnet and fake NFTs to the September hack of the Bitget exchange (103 million XRP) and the compromise of XRPH Wallet ($452,000), have given way to pure psychology.
How good news became a problemThe main trigger for the deception was the legitimate news backdrop: Cross River Bank's tests of the RLUSD stablecoin and the deployment of the 473 million XRP Evernorth fund through major exchanges. As soon as a brand announces its entry into the XRPL, the scammers' software creates a similar wallet address within seconds (for example, rBankxxx) and issues a fake token such as $BANKxxx.
Then, through phishing sites, users are prompted to "verify" their wallets or exchange real XRP for new "bank" coins. To an inattentive investor, an entry in a blockchain explorer looks like a guarantee of authenticity.
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This is the paradox: the openness of the blockchain has started working against security. A token's appearance on XRP Scan proves only its technical existence. Anyone can issue a coin with any name on the XRPL.
Institutional players operate at the level of internal gateways. Large banks do not require retail holders to sign transactions or redeem their assets. "Just sit on your hands and do nothing," concludes Vet_X0. The only confirmation that a real bank stands behind a project remains a publication on the corporation's own official press site. Any other offer is a guaranteed loss of capital.
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.
The countdown is currently on for fixCleanup3_4_0, a collection of fixes for Single Asset Vaults, the Lending Protocol, Automated Market Makers, the permissioned DEX, trust lines, NFTs, MPTs, Escrow, Sponsorship, transaction signing, and permission delegation, which is set to activate on the XRP Ledger in the coming days.
An amendment needs more than 80% support, held for 14 days, to activate on the XRP Ledger, with a potential date of Oct 23, 2026, 9:34 AM UTC for fixCleanup3_4_0, in the next 4 days as seen on XRPScan.
fixCleanup3_4_0 follows fix upgrades in recent months. Back in March 2026, it was announced that Ripple was standing up a dedicated AI-assisted red team to continuously hunt for vulnerabilities in the XRP Ledger.
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The 3.1.3 release was the first dedicated security release to come out of this effort, with no new features, just hardening. This was followed by fixCleanup3_2_0, which was enabled in July.
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fixCleanup3_3_0, a collection of fixes for Single Asset Vaults, the Lending Protocol, Automated Market Makers, the permissioned DEX, Checks, and pseudo-accounts, was launched in October 2026.
Expectations are currently rising for fixCleanup3_4_0, which brings about 25 outlined changes to the XRP Ledger, including exempting an IOU issuer from their own global freeze on NFT offers in their own currency and changing authorized trust lines to implicitly authorize a pseudo-account counterparty, among others.
October developments continueOctober continues to be a busy month for the XRP Ledger and the Ripple ecosystem. XRP Seoul 2026, the largest XRP event in Asia, was held on October 3 with over 5,000 attendees.
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Permission delegation and Batch amendments were launched on October 8 and 9, respectively. In the days after its launch, Batch accounted for over 15% of XRPL mainnet transactions and was the number 3 transaction type.
From October 27 to 29, Swell will be held in New York, with Brad Garlinghouse, Terrence Duffy of CME Group, Tom Farley of Bullish, Matt Damon of Water.org, and leaders from BNY, Coinbase, Robinhood, Barclays, State Street, and Jump, among others, set to participate in the event.
Speculation in a risk-off environment can cut both ways.
At the moment, Ripple is the focal point of wild speculation. A post on X suggested that Evernorth, an XRP treasury company, may purchase $655 million worth of XRP next week. The social media post went viral, sparking market activity.
Bulls welcomed the news as a possible catalyst for an XRP rally in November, while skeptics argued that it was simply unsubstantiated rumor that could mislead the market.
As the below post shows, many users questioned the post, arguing that it was just a means to increase engagement. Either way, this rumor may affect XRP’s market performance.
With Evernorth already in the spotlight over its recent XRPN listing, any news tied to the firm could trigger fresh speculation around XRP.
Source: X
Notably, the timing of this speculation could hardly be worse.
Technically, XRP is among the worst-performing assets this month. It is down 13%, erasing all gains made in September. The altcoin has slid to $1.25, its September low, testing this level as a critical support zone.
A break below it is likely to spark another wave of selling, especially as market demand continues to weaken.
Reinforcing this trend, spot XRP ETFs had their first negative week since July, reports SoSoValue. According to the data, spot XRP ETFs had a net outflow of $1.84 million last week, with only one day of inflows.
This marked the end of a 13-week consecutive weekly inflow streak, suggesting that institutional investors’ appetite for the asset may be cooling off.
So, given the recent weakness in the structural setup of Ripple’s [XRP] market structure and the amount of sell pressure on the on-chain data of major CEXs, could the new hype around Evernorth end up being a bull trap?
XRP bull rally hopes rise on Evernorth rumors
Nothing conveys the market’s reaction to the hype better than XRP’s long/short ratio.
According to data from CoinGlass, XRP’s long/short ratio has increased to 1.06, hitting its highest level in more than two weeks. This suggests traders are leaning bullish, betting on a possible bull run initiated by Evernorth’s alleged purchase of $655 million in XRP.
However, with XRP’s on-chain metrics flashing bearish signals, the overall market environment still risk-off, and the institutional buying showing signs of waning, this bullish positioning appears to be highly speculative.
Thus, if the rumored purchase fails to materialize or insufficient buying pressure from institutions continues, it can trigger a bull trap at XRP’s $1.25 level, leaving late longs highly vulnerable.
Source: TradingView (XRPN.USD)
Moreover, Evernorth’s own technical setup is not looking entirely bullish either.
According to the chart above, XRPN had a sharp post-launch rally, rising from $15 to $53. However, at press time, the token was trading 5% lower than its opening price, showing a very speculative market driven by the hype of the launch.
While it does not rule out Evernorth’s ability to accumulate XRP, it does pose questions about whether the hype around the firm would be able to drive buying pressure for XRP.
Taken together, these signals paint a mixed picture for XRP. While Evernorth rumors are fueling bullish bets, declining ETF net inflows, aggressive selling pressures, and the inability to hold $1.25 suggest the broader setup remains bearish.
Unless the hype translates into confirmed accumulation, XRP could fall into a bull trap, putting the next key support at $1.20 in focus.
Final Summary
Evernorth’s rumored $655 million XRP purchase has boosted market hype, but weak ETF flows and heavy selling pressure raise bull trap risks.
XRP is struggling to hold $1.25. If it breaks below this level, the price could fall toward $1.20.
J. Ayo Akinyele, the head of engineering at Ripple, has responded to a significant cryptographic discovery made by Anthropic's Claude AI that reportedly resolved a 25-year-old enigma about the origins of popular cryptographic standards.
Akinyele commented that the findings were quite remarkable, noting that the solution was actually quite straightforward.
"AI shedding light on the origins of the NIST EC seeds is a pretty remarkable result," Ayo Akinyele said on X, citing the revelation that the origin of the parameters involved the use of the lrand48 random number generator seeded with the Unix timestamp.
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The recent breakthrough relates to the origins of the widely debated elliptic curve parameters standardized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which have long been subject to speculation regarding potential backdoors inserted by the US National Security Agency (NSA).
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He said the breakthrough offers reproducible evidence and greater confidence about the origins of such cryptographic standards.
Akinyele went on to speculate about other mysteries in cryptography that could potentially be solved with the help of artificial intelligence.
AI solves 25-year-old crypto mysteryIn an October 16 research report, Anthropic announced that their internal version of Claude discovered the origins of five popular NIST elliptic curve seeds within half an hour.
They include P-192, P-224, P-256, P-384, and P-521, which are part of the standards for the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA).
The origins of the original seed values had been a subject of curiosity among researchers for decades, in part due to the fact that the seeds were provided by the NSA with little detail about their provenance.
This lack of disclosure led to some concerns that there may have been special considerations made regarding the parameters, possibly to introduce cryptographic weaknesses.
However, Claude found that lrand48, which is a fairly simple pseudorandom number generator included in older C programming libraries, was used to generate the seeds.
What does it mean for crypto security?It is worth pointing out that this is not a successful attack on ECDSA. Nor does it mean there are any security concerns for cryptocurrencies that use elliptic curve cryptography.
Rather, it makes the theory of intentional weakening of these specific NIST curves far less likely to be true.
The research does not mean that all aspects of the original selection are fully understood, but Anthropic pointed out that some unknowns remain around the selection of certain base points and the reasons for skipping certain mathematically viable candidate curves.
The breakthrough shows that artificial intelligence may be a tool that researchers can use to challenge long-held beliefs about widely used cryptographic systems.
J. Ayo Akinyele, head of engineering at Ripple, has acknowledged a major cryptographic breakthrough achieved by Anthropic’s Claude, an advanced artificial intelligence system developed by the AI research company Anthropic. The discovery addresses a decades-old mystery about the origins of popular cryptographic parameter standards.
AI identifies origins of NIST elliptic curve seedsAnthropic revealed that an internal research version of Claude managed to uncover the origins of five widely used NIST elliptic curve seeds, including P-192, P-224, P-256, P-384, and P-521. These values are central to the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), a cryptographic standard employed in numerous applications, including securing cryptocurrencies.
For over 25 years, cryptography researchers questioned whether these seeds, provided by the US National Security Agency (NSA), might conceal hidden vulnerabilities. The lack of detailed documentation around the process intensified speculation and concerns over possible backdoors.
Claude AI found that the NIST elliptic curve seeds were generated via lrand48, a basic pseudorandom number generator present in older C programming libraries, using the Unix timestamp as a seed value. This finding provides a replicable explanation for the parameters and helps put to rest some longstanding uncertainty in the cryptographic community.
Mini dictionary: lrand48 – A pseudorandom number generator included in some early C language standard libraries. It produces a sequence of numbers based on a seed, commonly the system’s unix time, but is regarded as relatively basic by modern cryptographic standards.
AI research company Anthropic reported that Claude identified lrand48, seeded with a Unix timestamp, as the method used to generate five NIST elliptic curve seeds, providing reproducible evidence and greater confidence in the origins of these cryptographic standards.
Security impact and expert perspectivesAkinyele described the discovery as “remarkable,” noting that the actual explanation for the seeds’ generation is comparatively simple and suggesting it improves trust in the parameter selection. He also reflected on how artificial intelligence might shed light on other cryptography puzzles in the future.
He highlighted that the research results do not represent a vulnerability or an attack against the ECDSA standard, which underpins the security of many cryptocurrency systems. Instead, the findings make any theory that the NIST curves were intentionally weakened appear far less likely.
The discovery neither exposes ECDSA to attack nor introduces security risks for cryptocurrencies using elliptic curve cryptography, but it does enhance transparency and eases concerns over potential hidden flaws in these standards.
Anthropic pointed out that some uncertainties persist, particularly regarding why specific base points were selected and why some mathematically valid candidate curves were omitted from the final standards. While these aspects require further study, the central issue of the seed generation process has been clarified.
AI reshapes cryptographic researchThe achievement demonstrates artificial intelligence’s growing role as a research tool in cryptography and cybersecurity. Experts believe such technology could accelerate discoveries, challenge old assumptions, and contribute to the transparency and trustworthiness of security systems employed worldwide, including in the digital asset sector.
The development is considered a step forward for those seeking to validate and improve the security foundations underlying the global crypto and blockchain ecosystem.
Crypto investor Susan Anderson made a decisive move on October 15, liquidating her entire Bitcoin holdings and reallocating all funds into XRP. Anderson, known for her active presence in the cryptocurrency community, acknowledged that her decision was immediately met with skepticism.
Community reactions to Anderson’s all-in XRP betAnderson shared her rationale with her followers, stating that she viewed Bitcoin as having already completed its major growth phase. She argued that XRP had not yet started an upward trend and entered the market at a price of $1.34, expressing optimism for future gains.
In a candid social media post, Anderson questioned whether she was making a visionary move or acting prematurely. She wrote, “I sold my Bitcoin today, yeah… all of it! Moved everything into $XRP… But I can’t shake the feeling BTC already had its run and XRP hasn’t even started yet. After all, who could say no to XRP at $1.34?”
I sold my Bitcoin today, yeah… all of it! Moved everything into XRP… But I can’t shake the feeling BTC already had its run and XRP hasn’t even started yet. After all, who could say no to XRP at $1.34?
Reactions from the crypto community were swift and varied. One respondent pointed out that Anderson had exposed herself to additional tax implications by making the switch. Another commented on her apparent willingness to embrace higher risk, suggesting that XRP carried greater volatility than Bitcoin.
Supporters also emerged. A long-time Bitcoin holder noted that he had made a similar move the previous year and expressed no regrets. Others predicted that those currently doubting her decision would come to view it as prescient in the future, with some suggesting she could be celebrated for her conviction years from now.
Another participant advised Anderson to remain patient, arguing that institutional investors are quietly accumulating XRP through non-public channels, which may eventually impact the asset’s price.
To demonstrate his conviction, one community member even revealed an XRP tattoo, while others offered encouragement and projected celebration by 2028.
XRP’s perceived advantages over BitcoinXRP is the native cryptocurrency of Ripple, a US-based payments technology company that specializes in cross-border remittances. The asset is valued for its rapid settlement times—transactions are finalized in seconds—and extremely low fees compared to Bitcoin. These attributes have positioned XRP as a potential solution for efficient, high-volume money transfers.
Unlike Bitcoin, which relies on energy-intensive proof-of-work mining, XRP operates on a consensus mechanism that validates transactions without requiring mining. This allows for much lower energy consumption and transaction costs.
Mini dictionary: Ripple – A fintech company focused on enabling real-time, cross-border payments for banks and financial institutions using blockchain technology and its digital asset, XRP.
Ripple has established partnerships with financial institutions and payment service providers across the globe. Supporters believe this strategy could propel XRP to handle significant volumes for international transactions, providing a value proposition distinct from that of Bitcoin.
AssetSettlement TimeTransaction FeePrimary Use CaseBitcoin (BTC)10–60 minutesHigherStore of value, peer-to-peer paymentsXRP3–5 secondsVery lowCross-border paymentsThose bullish on XRP contend that institutional adoption and its unique technical features position it for significant long-term growth, despite the uncertainty that surrounds the broader crypto market. Anderson’s move signals growing conviction among some investors that XRP’s trajectory could differ meaningfully from the largest digital assets.
XRP is holding close to $1.33, drawing attention from crypto analyst Egrag Crypto, who has identified a recurring pattern linking the digital asset’s current price action to three past market cycle lows. According to analysis shared on X, the emerging formation closely resembles those seen at major XRP bottoms in 2014, 2017-2018, and 2022.
Recurring traits at historical lowsOn the three-month chart, Egrag Crypto pointed out that every significant bottom displayed four primary features: highly erratic price movement, nonlinear reversals, a sense of chaos driven by fear and uncertainty, and a prolonged timeline that often extends for months or even years.
Egrag Crypto’s technical review underlined that these periods tend to be marked by “endless ups and downs” and a lack of clear direction, making it difficult for traders to time entries or exits confidently. The analyst emphasized that such conditions, while unsettling, have historically set the stage for eventual rallies.
“Bottoms are built in chaos, not comfort. Reviewing the 3-month chart, each cycle low has been defined by choppy, nonlinear and chaotic action,” Egrag Crypto wrote in the latest update. “The current structure fits the same mold, but the bottom isn’t confirmed yet.”
Egrag Crypto is an independent market analyst known in the digital asset community for pattern-based long-term XRP chart research. The analyst regularly publishes technical insight and market commentary to a large following on X.
Mini dictionary: Egrag Crypto, a pseudonymous analyst focusing on technical analysis and long-term price cycles in digital assets, especially XRP, frequently shares chart-based outlooks and trading perspectives on social platforms.
XRP fluctuates around key supportThe analysis notes that XRP’s most recent quarterly candle is positioned at a long-standing dotted support line on the chart. This area coincides with previous accumulation phases before upward moves in earlier cycles. However, the analyst said the current bottom should not be considered officially established.
While Egrag Crypto’s chart includes a “Bottom” label for the ongoing formation, it serves as a working identifier rather than a conclusive statement that the cycle has reversed. The main takeaway is that the bottoming process is typically gradual and uncertain.
Cycle BottomYearDurationKey ConditionsFirst2014MonthsChoppy, chaotic, nonlinearSecond2017-2018MonthsUps and downs, prolonged uncertaintyThird2022MonthsFear, lack of directional clarityCurrent2026*OngoingSimilar traits, bottom not confirmed*2026 refers to the time of the analysis and not a historical cycle.
Market bottoms as extended processesEgrag Crypto stressed that market bottoms are prolonged and complex rather than clear-cut moments. The analyst explained that these turning points do not provide assurance but instead challenge holders’ conviction through volatility and skepticism.
“Bottoms are a process, not an event. They rarely arrive with widespread agreement, and by the time the market recognizes one, prices may have already moved significantly higher,” Egrag Crypto commented.
This perspective suggests that waiting for absolute certainty may leave investors behind, as market turning points rarely offer comfort or clarity while underway.
Guidance for XRP holdersEgrag Crypto encouraged XRP holders to recognize that current price swings fit a pattern established in previous accumulation phases, cautioning that ongoing chaos is often part of durable bottom formation.
The analysis refrains from offering a specific price target or timeline, instead suggesting that the recent period structurally mirrors recoveries seen in the past over several months. Each prior low eventually resolved with strong upward moves on the three-month chart.
XRP closed its latest quarterly candle at $1.3384, inching down 0.14% at the time Egrag Crypto published the chart.
XRP whales moved a total of approximately 1.669 billion tokens to Binance over the past 30 days, marking the largest influx from large holders in the past seven months as XRP traded near $1.30.
Record Whale Inflows Drive Binance ActivityCryptoQuant analyst Arab Chain reported that the cumulative inflow of XRP to Binance wallets over 30 days climbed past the previous high recorded in September, which totaled around 1.65 billion XRP. This surge suggests renewed activity among significant market participants.
The transferred tokens, priced at roughly $1.33 per XRP, amounted to about $2.22 billion. This figure represents deposits over a 30-day span rather than direct evidence of completed sales.
CryptoQuant’s whale inflow metric aggregates the volume of XRP sent from large wallets to Binance over a rolling 30-day period. After peaking in September and declining, this metric rebounded in mid-October, adding about 19 million more XRP compared to the previous peak.
A shift in whale behavior has accompanied these inflows. Earlier in October, the percentage of large holders in total exchange withdrawals dropped by 27% in eight days after previously reaching 82% of outgoing transfers.
It is important to note that inflow and withdrawal metrics track different activities. While withdrawals from exchanges often reflect buying or custody decisions, inflows boost the amount of XRP that could be sold or traded quickly on Binance.
Renewed inflows do not necessarily signal immediate selling, but they increase the available supply that could be traded if whales choose to liquidate their assets.
$2.2 Billion Moves: What It Means for Market PressureLarge holders typically use centralized exchanges like Binance to facilitate trading, rebalance portfolios, or manage collateral across crypto and traditional markets.
An increase in whale deposits may heighten the risk of selling pressure, particularly when liquidity is thin. However, on-chain transfers do not prove that all deposited XRP has been sold.
These developments coincide with a broader rise in tracked XRP reserves on exchanges.
From October 12 to 15, exchange wallets accumulated an additional 83.94 million XRP, bringing their total to about 22.06 billion tokens. Binance alone saw reserves grow by approximately 54.61 million XRP during the week ending October 15.
CryptoQuant’s whale inflow data and exchange reserve changes measure distinct but related activities. Deposits add to exchange balances, while net reserve changes reflect both deposits and withdrawals over defined periods.
As a result, not all of the cumulative 1.669 billion XRP in whale deposits necessarily remained on Binance after accounting for withdrawals.
MetricAmountPeriodExchangeCumulative Whale Deposits1.669 billion XRP30 daysBinanceExchange Reserve Increase83.94 million XRPOct 12-15All exchangesBinance Reserve Growth54.61 million XRP7 days to Oct 15BinanceXRP Price Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Whale ActivityThe influx of large whale transfers appeared as XRP traded near $1.31, raising questions about whether a larger exchange supply could challenge market stability.
Meanwhile, demand from institutional investors has grown less predictable. Recent outflows from XRP ETF products occurred alongside withdrawals from prominent Ethereum and Solana investment funds, though the reported totals for XRP varied among data providers.
Previously, XRP-backed investment vehicles had attracted steady inflows for 13 consecutive weeks, underscoring that institutional interest does not always move in tandem with price trends.
If future whale deposits result in continuous selling, XRP may experience further downward price momentum. Alternatively, declining inflows paired with resilient buying interest could ease negative sentiment.
Recent data confirm an uptick in whale activity, but not a coordinated mass selloff. Short-term market direction will depend on actual exchange flows, trading volume, and broader price movements in $XRP.
Ripple CTO Emeritus David Schwartz has issued a warning after encountering a suspicious notification on his Android device, which appeared to come from the SecuX wallet app. SecuX is a provider of hardware cold wallets designed to securely store cryptocurrencies offline, aiming to safeguard users against online threats.
Suspicious notification ties to phishing attemptSchwartz reported receiving a push notification that seemed to originate from the SecuX app. He initially shared his experience on the X social platform, noting that the message claimed a critical vulnerability had been detected, warning that, “Your funds may be at risk, critical vulnerability detected in SecuX wallet, verify your wallet immediately.”
When Schwartz tapped the notification, the app launched normally, causing no immediate alarm. However, after further investigation, he checked his notification history where he discovered the suspicious message. The alert contained a link to a website requesting users to enter their wallet’s 12 or 24-word recovery phrase—a clear indication of a phishing attack designed to steal sensitive wallet information.
Schwartz urged, “Never do that,” stressing the critical importance of not sharing the 12- or 24-word seed phrases that allow full access to a crypto wallet’s funds.
Mini dictionary: SecuX is a company specializing in hardware cold wallets used for storing cryptocurrency assets offline, offering an additional layer of security against online hacking attempts.
Another user responded to Schwartz, advising him not to interact with suspicious notifications. However, Schwartz acknowledged that he had already tapped the alert out of curiosity, and although no unusual activity followed, the presence of a malicious link in the notification history confirmed the fraudulent intent.
Security measures and service updateAround the same time, SecuX informed the crypto community of “emergency maintenance” for its Android app. On October 16, the company explained its wallet application was undergoing a major upgrade and emergency maintenance to improve both security and stability. The announcement did not specify the cause of the emergency, leaving the connection between the maintenance and Schwartz’s experience uncertain.
The origin of the suspicious notification has not been independently confirmed. It remains unclear whether the alert was generated by the SecuX app, a third-party notification service, or another source entirely. Information so far does not confirm a direct compromise of SecuX’s app or its underlying infrastructure.
In an official communication, SecuX reiterated that users should avoid clicking on suspicious or unverified links and should never share their wallet’s 24-word recovery phrase. The company also cautioned against phishing attempts, including messages impersonating SecuX Support.
The provider emphasized that their app does not request the recovery phrase and warned, “Never share your 24-word recovery phrase with anyone.”
After completing system maintenance, SecuX reported that the app had resumed normal operations. The company once again reminded its users that under no circumstances would the app request a recovery phrase and reinforced best practices for wallet security.
The severe market volatility that affected XRP's price movement last week has also extended to its ETF ecosystem as both retail and institutional investors appear to be taking caution.
The broad XRP ETF market has posted its worst weekly performance in over three months, drawing attention from market analysts about how this could affect XRP's price potential.
Over $1.84 million exit XRP funds last weekAccording to the latest data from SosoValue, XRP ETFs have recorded a net outflow of over $1.84 million over the last week.
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While this marks the first weekly outflow the funds have registered since July 7th, it has come at a time when the market is facing a downturn, raising concerns about whether investor demand for the XRP investment product is beginning to weaken.
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Notably, the reversal has come after XRP ETFs maintained a steady streak of consistent capital inflows for 13 consecutive weeks.
As such, the XRP funds have broken the bullish trend with a negative performance this week after seeing sustained investor interest in gaining exposure to the XRP investment product.
XRP demand stalls as price retests $1.30While the performance of the XRP funds provides a bearish outlook for the asset, XRP's recent price movements have contributed to the uncertainty surrounding its short-term outlook.
Despite showing signs of a potential price recovery in the previous day, XRP is back in the red and has once again retested the $1.30 level, placing market sentiment under renewed pressure.
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.
Major crypto exchange Binance has kicked off an airdrop campaign that rewards eligible users holding Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin on its platform. The grand prize pool is $800,000 in XRP. The campaign runs from September 25, 2026, 00:00 (UTC) to October 23, 2026, at 00:00 (UTC).
Binance users are required to hold RLUSD in any Binance account to partake in the XRP Rewards, which will be distributed weekly every Friday by 18:00 (UTC).
Eligible users must hold RLUSD in balance (net assets) in any of the following account categories on Binance: Spot Account; Funding Account; Earn Account (RLUSD in Flexible Savings); Margin Account (RLUSD in Cross Margin, Isolated Margin, or Portfolio Margin).
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Eligible users are required to maintain at least 0.01 RLUSD in their Spot, Funding, Earn, or Margin Accounts to qualify for the rewards, which will be airdropped directly to the Spot Accounts of their Binance master accounts.
RLUSD newsUS financial services company Cross River Bank announced a partnership with Ripple this week to expand its stablecoin optionality and integrate RLUSD into its banking core infrastructure, with support for transactions on the XRP Ledger. The collaboration combines traditional payment technology with RLUSD on the XRPL, giving issuers and acquirers greater flexibility to settle intraday and reduce settlement latency.
Ripple also announced its partnership with DriveWealth across RLUSD settlement on the XRP Ledger, cross-border payments, custody, and prime brokerage to modernize how money moves across global markets.
DriveWealth will integrate Ripple's stablecoin infrastructure to support settlement in Europe, with plans to expand to the U.S. The integration will leverage RLUSD on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), alongside Ripple's mint and burn capabilities.
Standard Chartered Bank also announced this week the launch of institutional custody services for Ripple's stablecoin, RLUSD, through its Dubai International Financial Centre branch.
According to Token Terminal, Ripple led stablecoin issuer growth over the last 24 hours with over $27.4 million added.
Crypto analyst Cleo Schmidt has identified what she describes as a pivotal repetition in XRP’s price structure, suggesting that the asset is currently mirroring the powerful trend sequence that preceded its 60,000% rally leading up to the 2018 peak. Schmidt, who regularly shares market insights as @Cleo_995yu, points to a sequence of support level retests that historically have marked the start of sharp upward moves in XRP.
Pattern echoes past rallySchmidt’s analysis focuses on a longstanding support zone that XRP has revisited several times since 2017. She notes that each major retest–when the price approaches and confirms a support level multiple times without falling below–has preceded periods of compression followed by breakouts.
According to Schmidt, the previous completion of this formation in 2017 led XRP to surge over 60,000%, reaching its all-time high in early 2018. She believes a similar setup is currently in play as the price moves through the same levels and consolidates in a comparable structure.
Schmidt argues that a sequence of support retests, particularly a third confirmation, has historically signaled the start of explosive moves for XRP, reflecting the cycle that led to the 2018 peak.
Key retest level and expansion triggerSchmidt emphasizes the importance of the third confirmed retest at this price zone. She states that while the first two retests establish and confirm the support level’s validity, a third confirmation often acts as a launchpad for broader expansion.
She stated, “Once the support level is confirmed for the third time, the expansion could accelerate.” This anticipation aligns closely with what was observed during XRP’s 2017 rally, where each retest appeared to compress volatility ahead of the historic surge.
Mini dictionary: Retest, a technical analysis term referring to the market price returning to a previously established support or resistance level to confirm its validity before moving in the direction of the trend.
Step-by-step price roadmapSchmidt has laid out a stepwise roadmap for XRP, projecting a series of key milestones she believes the asset could reach if the pattern holds. Her stated path begins at $1.10, predicts a pullback to $0.97, and then lays out further upside targets at $1.80, $2.70, $3.20, $6.50, and ultimately $13.
The early pullback to $0.97 is described as a re-accumulation phase, which could precede a significant rally toward $1.80. Subsequent levels mark progressive resistance points on the way to higher price objectives.
Outlook depends on confirmationThe roadmap gives traders clear levels to watch as Schmidt continues to monitor for confirmation of the third retest, which she views as the critical signal for the start of a new expansion phase. Until this occurs, she suggests that the pattern remains in development and that market participants should remain attentive to support zone behavior.
Schmidt’s approach offers a detailed framework for interpreting XRP’s current technical setup. If the cycle repeats as analyzed, traders may witness a significant upward movement. However, the realization of this scenario hinges on the confirmation of the key support level, which has proven to be instrumental in previous cycles.
Schmidt is an independent market analyst known for her pattern-based cryptocurrency forecasts. XRP is a digital asset and payment protocol developed to enable quick, cross-border financial transfers.
Bitwise Asset Management has established a dominant presence in the spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) sector, reporting $561 million in assets under management (AUM) for its Bitwise XRP ETF, according to data from BSCN Newswire. This milestone positions Bitwise as the largest issuer in the segment, currently accounting for over one-third of all assets managed by spot XRP ETFs worldwide. The surge reflects strong investor demand for regulated exposure to XRP amid ongoing market volatility.
Bitwise maintains significant leadDespite fluctuations in XRP’s market value, the Bitwise XRP ETF continues to attract robust capital inflows. The fund currently outpaces major competitors by more than $150 million in AUM. Comparative figures from CryptoETF.today previously showed Bitwise with $517.4 million, Canary at $457.8 million, and Franklin Templeton at $425.7 million. These asset values shift regularly with market conditions and reporting dates, but Bitwise consistently leads the field.
ETF IssuerReported AUM (million USD)Bitwise561Canary457.8Franklin Templeton425.7Weekly flow data from SoSoValue shows that Bitwise attracted $10.55 million of the total $11.31 million invested in U.S. spot XRP ETFs between October 5 and October 9. Net inflows for the Bitwise XRP ETF reportedly reached $688 million, further solidifying its position.
The ETF began trading on NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol XRP on November 19, 2025. The fund tracks the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate, New York Variant Index, which sources its price data from leading crypto exchanges and aims to closely mirror XRP’s spot market value.
Bitwise Asset Management is a U.S.-based investment firm specializing in cryptoasset-focused investment products. The ETF invests directly in XRP, with custody services provided by Coinbase Custody. The annual management fee for investors is set at 0.34%, amounting to an estimated $1.91 million per year based on current asset values.
Mini dictionary: CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate, New York Variant Index, is a benchmark price index designed to provide a representative USD price for XRP. It aggregates trading activity from selected major exchanges to create a stable reference point for institutional products.
Interpreting fund performance and competitive landscapeAssets under management reflect the scale of an ETF but do not necessarily indicate trading volumes, performance, or investor profitability. Changes in XRP’s market price directly impact the value of assets held, which means AUM can decrease even if inflows remain positive during periods of market downturns.
Analysts have highlighted this distinction, emphasizing that net inflows represent the net cash moving in and out of a fund, while AUM accounts for current market value of the assets, including price fluctuations.
“Net inflows for the Bitwise XRP ETF reached $688 million, but total assets can still fall if XRP’s price drops. AUM is sensitive to crypto volatility, not just new investment activity,” analysts explained when reviewing the fund’s rapid growth alongside market risks.
Bitwise XRP ETF has attracted the largest share of capital among spot XRP products, capturing more than one-third of the sector with $561 million in assets. This significant lead underscores strong demand for institutional access to $XRP as regulatory frameworks expand.
The competitive dynamics among asset managers such as Canary and Franklin Templeton remain intense, as each seeks to carve out market share in the fast-evolving world of crypto-based ETFs. However, variations in data collection methods and reporting timelines mean that comparisons may not always reflect real-time standings.
Technical perspectives and market impactXRP’s price action is a key determinant for the valuation of ETFs holding the asset. Crypto analyst EGRAG Crypto recently examined key exponential moving averages (EMAs) over 21, 50, and 100-month periods, comparing them to historical market cycles and corrections.
According to EGRAG Crypto, a breakout above $3.67 could mark a significant turning point, with hypothetical technical targets at $5.25, $6.33, $8.28, and $13.69 based on Fibonacci retracement levels. These levels serve as technical scenarios rather than definitive price predictions.
An increase in XRP’s market price can directly lift total ETF assets under management, independent of new capital inflows, while a decline can reduce fund value even when investors add funds.
These technical observations offer insight into how price trends could affect ETF valuations going forward. Institutional and individual investors alike monitor such metrics when evaluating exposure to XRP through regulated investment vehicles.
Leading asset management firm Bitwise has continued to establish its foothold in the XRP ETF ecosystem, pulling in the largest amount of capital on most trading sessions.
Following its consistent XRP purchases, the Bitwise XRP ETF now holds more than half a billion dollars' worth of XRP as of October 17, per the latest data from SosoValue.
Bitwise crossed crucial XRP milestoneThe data shows that the XRP ETF issued by Bitwise has accumulated up to $541.12 million in net assets as its XRP fund continues to grow.
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While the fund has continued to witness consistent investor demand, the data shows that its total net inflows now stand at $684.73 million, as investor capital has continued to flow consistently into the fund since it launched.
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With over $541 million worth of XRP now owned by the company, it appears that Bitwise has continued to play a major role in providing investors with exposure to XRP through traditional financial markets.
As such, it has continued to provide investors with the opportunity to benefit from XRP's price movements without the need to purchase and manage XRP directly.
What does this mean for XRP?While this marks a major milestone for Bitwise and its investment product, it is also significant for the broader XRP ecosystem as it indicates growing demand for XRP among institutions.
Nonetheless, it is important to note that the net assets and inflows achieved by an ETF do not necessarily indicate an equivalent amount of XRP purchased by the fund; they could hold more.
XRP investment funds have reported significant outflows, as $1.84 million exited XRP-focused exchange traded funds in the past week. Market observers noted that this represents the first weekly outflow since July 7, ending a prolonged period of capital inflows and raising questions about investor sentiment in XRP’s ecosystem.
XRP ETF inflows reverse after steady gainsThe XRP ETF market registered its worst weekly performance in over three months, following a steady 13-week streak of positive capital inflows. During this period, both retail and institutional investors had consistently increased their exposure to XRP through exchange traded funds.
Report data provided by crypto analytics platform SosoValue confirmed that over $1.84 million left XRP ETFs last week. This downturn has coincided with heightened volatility across broader crypto markets, where investors have shown growing caution.
After 13 consecutive weeks of positive inflows, XRP funds have now recorded their first net outflow, as more than $1.84 million exited these investment products last week.
The reversal marks a notable shift in investor behavior, as XRP ETFs had been on a consistent upward trajectory for over three months. The outflows have come at a time when both prices and sentiment across the cryptocurrency market have weakened, amplifying concerns about future demand for XRP investment products.
Exchange Traded Funds, or ETFs, offer a regulated product for investors to gain exposure to an underlying asset such as XRP without directly holding the asset itself. These funds often serve as an indicator of institutional and retail interest in a particular cryptocurrency.
Mini dictionary: SosoValue, a cryptocurrency data provider known for tracking ETF flows and fund activity in the digital asset sector.
XRP price fluctuates amid market uncertaintyThe recent outflow has corresponded with notable price volatility for XRP. After briefly showing signs of recovery, XRP has retraced its gains and now trades near the $1.30 level, entering negative territory once again. This renewed loss has placed additional pressure on overall market sentiment.
Analysts have pointed to the reversal in fund flows as a potential bearish signal for XRP’s price trend, particularly as the cryptocurrency struggles to maintain short-term momentum.
PeriodXRP ETF FlowsXRP Price TrendPast 13 WeeksConsistent inflowsGradual recoveryLast Week$1.84 million outflowRetest of $1.30, renewed lossesAs XRP continues to move in step with shifting investor sentiment in ETF products, market participants are closely watching for further signals on whether outflows will persist or if a return to positive momentum is possible.
Both retail and institutional participants appear increasingly cautious as XRP’s price and associated funds respond sharply to current market volatility.
Brandon Biggs, a self-described prophet based in Oklahoma, has returned to the spotlight with a new vision related to XRP and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. Biggs previously attracted attention in the XRP community after stating that he believed XRP, the digital asset developed by Ripple, would one day reach a value of $10,000. His latest statements have prompted discussion among cryptocurrency commentators, notably Digital Asset Investor.
Biggs’s latest vision and symbolismBiggs detailed a vivid vision that he claimed involved Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and owner of X, formerly Twitter. In the vision, Biggs described Musk as wearing an unusually dark suit paired with a white shirt he described as “blinding.” He added that Musk’s tie appeared even blacker, suggesting an emphasis on the symbolism of colors and contrasts.
According to Biggs, the most striking aspect of the vision was seeing the X symbol and the XRP logo overlap to form a single entity. However, he clarified that this image was not a literal prediction of a merger or partnership. “I’m not saying they will merge. This is not financial advice. This is a vision,” he told his followers.
Biggs also described an owl with a dark wizard’s hat landing on Musk’s shoulder during the vision. He stated that he interpreted this as a “sinister” element but acknowledged the symbolic nature of these details.
Biggs stated that he witnessed an unusual combination of the X and XRP logos alongside symbolic imagery including an owl with a wizard’s hat, underscoring that his vision should not be taken as financial advice or assurance of future developments.
Reaction from Digital Asset InvestorDigital Asset Investor, a well-known crypto commentator, responded with skepticism to Biggs’s claims, remarking about the prophet’s credibility. Despite his reservations, he said he found certain aspects of the vision aligned with his own research.
He explained that, nearly seven years ago, he had independently concluded that satellite technology such as SpaceX’s Starlink could play a key role in expanding banking services to remote populations. In his view, connecting banking to satellite infrastructure could help reach unbanked communities worldwide.
Additionally, Digital Asset Investor connected Ripple’s previous marketing efforts, featuring astronauts and space themes, as possible indirect support for the role of technology like Starlink in the future of financial infrastructure.
Mini dictionary: Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX. It aims to provide high-speed internet access to underserved and remote areas globally using a network of low Earth orbit satellites.
Digital Asset Investor highlighted that Ripple’s technology, combined with Starlink’s potential for global connectivity, could contribute to banking the unbanked, and saw echoes of this idea in previous Ripple commercials.
X Money and financial integrationThe conversation extended beyond symbolic visions to include speculation about future financial technology developments. Digital Asset Investor asserted that X Money, a developing financial product under the X platform owned by Elon Musk, could become a dominant force in global banking.
He suggested that recent partnerships, such as Ripple’s work with Cross River Bank, could facilitate XRP’s integration with X Money. This potential convergence of Musk’s financial ambitions, Ripple’s blockchain solutions, and satellite infrastructure represents a growing speculation in the digital asset sector.
XRP’s standing in the new financial landscapeBiggs has previously described XRP as a foundational element or “pillar” of a future financial system. Digital Asset Investor indicated that, while he doubts the prophetic nature of visions, he believes the groundwork for such a role is being laid through the expansion of relevant technical infrastructure.
Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin continues to attract significant attention from both XRP supporters and institutional analysts, with fresh analysis highlighting its importance within the Ripple ecosystem. The crypto researcher SMQKE presented findings on how RLUSD strategically complements XRP, particularly in the areas of decentralized finance and broader institutional engagement.
RLUSD and its strategic roleThe analysis positions RLUSD as an asset intended to work alongside, rather than against, XRP. By leveraging RLUSD, Ripple aims to strengthen market presence in low-liquidity environments. The new stablecoin is designed to operate in a way that supports XRP’s key functions, furthering its adoption across DeFi and among institutional investors.
Management of RLUSD reserves was assigned to Standard Custody, which became part of Ripple through an acquisition in 2024. This move seeks to assure both transparency and stability for those using the stablecoin.
RLUSD is structured to complement XRP and expand its adoption, not to compete with it.
Progress in real-world asset tokenizationRipple’s efforts have also extended into real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, an area gaining traction among leading financial institutions. Through a partnership with Archax, Ripple has advanced the integration of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of tokenized assets onto the XRP Ledger, positioning itself among established players like BlackRock, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs, who have also moved toward blockchain adoption.
Tokenized assets require robust infrastructure in terms of both liquidity and stability. Within this structure, RLUSD is tasked with fulfilling the demand for stability, while XRP focuses on transaction settlement and liquidity management. These two assets are designed to perform separate roles but jointly enhance the overall efficiency of Ripple’s solutions.
In a market where a single Fed decision or a sudden altcoin listing can change everything in seconds, switching between multiple apps for trading tools and news can become costly for investors. As a result, more traders are turning to privacy-first platforms like CryptoAppsy, which consolidate real-time charts, news, portfolio tracking, and macro data into one interface, with no account required.
The impact of XRP ETFsMonica Long, referenced in the analysis, expressed confidence in the prospects for an XRP exchange-traded fund, citing regulatory clarity from the United States as a driving force. XRP and Bitcoin are the only digital assets with this level of explicit regulatory recognition in the country, which Long argued would create favourable conditions for an XRP ETF filing.
This view was validated when the first spot XRP ETFs received approval in late 2025. The launch of these products gave traditional investors a new gateway to gain exposure to XRP and removed several longstanding access barriers for large institutional participants.
Community members have discussed the integration of RLUSD within current payment channels. One observer emphasized that placing RLUSD alongside conventional systems such as ACH and wire transfers through shared APIs could expand the ledger’s utility while retaining XRP’s central role as a bridge asset.
Others focused on RLUSD’s US dollar peg, expressing concerns about maintaining stability should the dollar weaken. Some analysts argued that the ongoing development of network effects and broader blockchain adoption remains an area many market participants have yet to fully recognize.
By addressing stability and leveraging liquidity, RLUSD and XRP are positioned to strengthen Ripple’s footprint in tokenized finance and institutional adoption.
Bitwise, a prominent digital asset manager, has strengthened its presence in the XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) sector, accumulating substantial investor interest and capital inflow to its XRP ETF.
Record assets and growing inflowsRecent data from SosoValue shows that the Bitwise XRP ETF now manages net assets exceeding $541 million, making it one of the largest XRP-focused ETF products in the market.
Cumulative net inflows to the fund have reached $684.73 million, marking a steady influx of capital since its launch. This figure suggests that institutional and individual investors continue to allocate funds to the product, seeking XRP market exposure via traditional market structures.
Bitwise, established in 2017, is recognized for pioneering various crypto investment vehicles, including spot and futures-based ETFs. The firm has steadily expanded its offerings to cover prominent digital assets, reinforcing its status within the crypto asset management industry.
With consistent inflows and significant assets under management, Bitwise has positioned its XRP ETF to meet increasing investor demand for crypto exposure. The company’s strategy enables market participants to participate in XRP price movements without directly holding or managing the digital asset.
MetricBitwise XRP ETF ValueNet assets$541.12 millionTotal net inflows$684.73 millionImpact on the XRP ecosystemReaching $541 million in net assets marks a notable milestone, both for Bitwise and for wider institutional adoption of XRP. The accumulation of assets in the ETF reflects sustained institutional interest in the digital asset space, especially in products offering regulated, traditional access to cryptocurrencies.
Bitwise’s approach has also given investors alternative ways to gain exposure to $XRP, without the operational complexities related to direct token management and custody.
With its XRP ETF amassing more than half a billion dollars in holdings and net inflows exceeding $684 million, Bitwise has continued to provide a robust gateway for investors seeking regulated access to the XRP market.
The growing size of Bitwise’s ETF indicates that demand for institutional-grade XRP investment products is on the rise, mirroring trends seen in Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
However, analysts note that the total net assets and inflows associated with an ETF do not directly equate to the exact quantity of XRP tokens acquired by the fund. The relationship between inflows, net assets, and XRP holdings can be influenced by various factors, including price fluctuations and fund management strategies.
Mini dictionary: SosoValue, a digital asset analytics provider, offers detailed data and tracking for fund performance and digital asset flows across a variety of ETF products and crypto investment vehicles.
Digital Asset Investor, a prominent crypto analyst active on social media, recently brought attention to a clip from YouTuber The Modern Investor highlighting unprecedented XRP outflows from cryptocurrency exchanges. The discussion has focused investor concerns on the speed and scale of these withdrawals and the potential impact on XRP’s long-term supply.
The pace of XRP accumulationThe Modern Investor explained that in a 24-hour period, 1.6 billion XRP were withdrawn from exchanges. Given XRP’s total supply of 100 billion tokens, this single-day movement accounted for just over 1% of all tokens in existence.
He emphasized that such large-scale daily removals are not isolated events. Outflows of one billion or more XRP are becoming increasingly frequent, which could have a rapid effect on the amount of XRP available for trading on exchanges. If similar withdrawal rates continued uninterrupted, the total supply of accessible XRP on exchanges could be depleted within a few months.
This calculation is intended as a hypothetical scenario based on recent data, not as a formal prediction. Nevertheless, the magnitude of the exchange outflows is clear.
The Modern Investor argued that daily removals of more than 1% of XRP’s supply create a scenario where, if the trend continues, the majority of the asset could soon move out of publicly traded hands.
Growing demand from tokenizationDigital Asset Investor also commented that the current rate of XRP being removed from exchanges does not include anticipated demand pressures. Traditional financial institutions are beginning to tokenize real-world assets and the transition is expected to move swiftly into the hundreds of trillions of dollars, potentially increasing demand for XRP as a critical settlement and liquidity asset.
He suggested that institutional adoption and tokenization of assets could sharply accelerate the pace at which XRP is accumulated, amplifying existing pressures on supply as new financial use cases emerge.
Mini dictionary: Real-world asset tokenization, the process of using blockchain technology to represent ownership or rights to traditional assets, such as real estate or securities, as digital tokens that can be traded or settled on a blockchain network.
If this trend accelerates, analysts predict retail investors waiting on the sidelines may face significantly reduced opportunities to purchase XRP at current prices or in comparable volumes.
Supply scarcity and warning to investorsDigital Asset Investor warned that ongoing withdrawals combined with increased institutional interest could result in dramatically less XRP being available on open exchanges. He cautioned future investors that those delaying entry might struggle to obtain substantial quantities of XRP, compared with today’s market participants.
He stated, “People are going to be sick,” urging his audience to take note in light of evolving market conditions.
The warning highlighted concerns that, if exchange outflows persist alongside growing demand for tokenized assets, market liquidity for XRP could decline sharply, constraining access for latecomers.
Key metrics: Exchange outflows and total supplyWith a 24-hour outflow amounting to 1.6 billion XRP, active monitoring of exchange supplies has become a focal point for investors and analysts tracking the token’s distribution trends. Market watchers are evaluating how sustained outflows could affect available supply and pricing dynamics over the coming months.
MetricAmountPercentage of Total SupplyXRP withdrawn (24h)1.6 billion1.6%Total XRP supply100 billion100%While some see this as a pivotal supply event for XRP, others advise caution, recommending that investors stay informed and exercise due diligence.
XRP experienced renewed selling pressure, falling 2.86% to $1.29 while trading volume dropped 24.1% to $1.28 billion in the last 24 hours. The decline in volume alongside price weakness has drawn attention from analysts monitoring key support zones, particularly as a possible double top pattern emerges on the charts.
XRP double top raises downside concernsA potential double top formation is worrying traders who are closely following XRP’s price action. Crypto With Gopal, a digital asset analyst known for technical evaluations, identified two recent price rejections in the $1.65 to $1.70 range. These repeated failures to break higher have led to speculation that XRP could be at risk of further losses, especially if immediate support levels fail to hold.
Crypto With Gopal noted that sellers stepped in after two rejections near $1.65 to $1.70, causing XRP to slide toward the $1.25 support zone. If the price breaks below this area, the path toward $0.80 could become more likely.
A double top is a classic chart pattern that often signals a potential trend reversal. In this scenario, two similar price peaks form before a retracement, suggesting that buying power is weakening. The recent pullbacks to the $1.25 area have now become critical for future price direction.
Analysts have identified the $1.25 support as a key level. Should XRP fall below this threshold, further downward movement toward $0.80 could follow according to Gopal’s assessment. While this is a possible downside target, this outcome is not certain unless the support area is decisively breached.
Alongside softening price action, XRP’s market capitalization now sits at $82 billion. The decline in trading activity, reflected in the reduced volume, suggests uncertainty as traders pause to watch pivotal support.
MetricPreviousCurrentPrice$1.33$1.2924h Change—-2.86%Volume$1.68 billion$1.28 billionSupport$1.25$1.25Potential DownsideNot flagged$0.80 if breakdownXRP technical signals show persistent weaknessTechnical analysis suggests continued weakness for XRP. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) currently sits at 35.45, placing it well below the neutral threshold of 50. This reading signals that sellers are in control and buying pressure remains limited.
Further bearish momentum is seen in the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator. The MACD line is measured at -0.03221, remaining below its signal line at -0.01274, with a histogram of -0.01946, reinforcing the negative outlook.
XRP is also trading under key technical resistance. The 0.786 Fibonacci retracement level at $1.34 has turned into immediate resistance, while further upside barriers are expected near $1.45. A sustained move above these levels would be required for a possible rebound.
Mini dictionary: RSI (Relative Strength Index) is a momentum oscillator that measures the speed and change of price movements, with values below 50 typically indicating weaker momentum or bearish pressure.
Key levels for XRP in the near termFor traders monitoring immediate risks, $1.25 remains the crucial support level, as identified by the latest analysis. If selling persists, Fibonacci levels near $1.20 could act as an additional downside marker.
Protecting the $1.25 support and regaining the area between $1.40 and $1.50 may be essential if XRP is to reverse recent losses and regain positive momentum.
Overall, the combination of declining volume, technical weakness, and potential trend reversal signals places XRP in a vulnerable position. If the double top formation is confirmed by a breakdown of support, price movement toward $0.80 may become increasingly likely.
XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) extended its recent decline as the broader crypto rally stalled and investor demand cooled. The token slipped to $1.3080, its weakest level since September 18 and roughly 20% below its September highs. The retreat could deepen, as the price has formed a bearish technical pattern and ETF outflows are climbing.
Ripple has pulled back over the past few weeks, in line with Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and other altcoins. The market capitalization of all tokens has dropped from nearly $3 trillion in September to $2.7 trillion today.
This retreat has coincided with the fading demand in the spot, futures, and ETF market. CoinGecko data shows that its 24-hour volume dropped to $1.4 billion from over $1.7 billion on the same day last week.
Spot XRP ETFs recorded outflows of more than $2.47 million on Friday, after shedding $104,000 the day before. That left the funds with a net outflow of $1.8 million for the week, their first weekly outflow since July. Bitwise’s XRP fund holds $541 million in assets, while Franklin’s XRPZ holds $390 million.
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XRP’s futures open interest has also been sliding, dropping to $2.8 billion, its lowest level since September 17. It peaked at $3.78 billion last month, which puts the current figure roughly 26% below that high. Falling open interest typically signals that demand from leveraged traders is fading.
The performance has coincided with rising macro headwinds. Crude oil prices soared, with Brent, the global benchmark, crossing the $110 milestone. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) jumped to $101 as the crisis in the Middle East escalated. US bond yields have continued rising, with the 10-year rising to 5.10%.
The daily chart shows that XRP price has dropped sharply in the past few days, moving from a high of $1.6465 to $1.3082. It is attempting to move below the neckline of $1.2470, its lowest level on September 15.
XRP is attempting to form a death cross pattern, which happens when the 50-day and 200-day moving averages cross each other. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the MACD have continued falling.
Therefore, the price may continue falling as sellers target the psychological level of $1.00. A move above the resistance level of $1.3840 will invalidate the bearish outlook.
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XRP is trading at $1.30, having declined 2.26% as broad losses persist across the cryptocurrency market. Crypto analyst Austin Hilton has drawn attention to a technical setup that, according to him, has historically signaled major price moves in XRP whenever certain chart conditions are met.
Technical signals under reviewHilton outlined a specific indicator on XRP’s chart that issues a green dot when a wave component drops below a white line. He pointed out that this green dot signal has reliably appeared ahead of significant XRP rallies in recent years.
Reviewing past instances, Hilton stated that a green dot formation preceded a 194% surge in XRP within just 12 days in August. He highlighted two other notable occurrences, which resulted in gains of 124% over 10 days and 101% over 11 days. In addition, he recalled an earlier case where XRP jumped approximately 83% in 12 days after the indicator flashed the signal.
Hilton indicated that all recent green dot signals on this chart have produced moves of over 100% shortly after confirmation, reinforcing his belief in the pattern’s reliability on XRP.
Present consolidation and potential breakoutSince late August, Hilton observed that XRP has entered a consolidation phase and recently slipped below a support level at $1.32. He noted that the technical indicator’s blue wave is now moving underneath the white reference line, a condition that previously led up to the green dot’s appearance.
However, Hilton clarified that the key buy signal has not yet materialized. He stressed that the chart setup is only in the initial stage, describing the current price action as typical of periods before a potential breakout. Hilton continues monitoring for a confirmed green dot below the white line as a possible trigger for entering a position.
He often references the alignment of price weakness and consolidation as a setup that matches those which preceded prior major upswings, but emphasizes that without the green dot, the opportunity remains unconfirmed.
Awaiting confirmation before actingHilton distinguishes this period from earlier chart formations where the indicator approached but did not cross beneath the white line; only true crossings generated the historical buy signal. He advises patience, stating that he is following the lower right section of the chart and looking for full confirmation before acting.
In this context, he maintains that his outlook is based on prior indicator performance rather than external sentiment or news. Hilton reiterates that confirmation always happens after the technical criteria are fully satisfied and is waiting for this explicit indicator before moving forward.
Meme token trading and the importance of timingBeyond XRP’s price movements, close observation of investor timing and token selection is becoming vital in the wider crypto environment. In the meme token market, internet trends can quickly turn into millions of dollars in activity. Data from Fomo App shows one trade in “Niu Lai” where a $99 investment escalated to about $370,000, illustrating this rapid transformation. Fomo App facilitates token discovery and trading in one place, featuring social feeds, investor rankings, and trade alerts. Such tools are gaining relevance as traders look to monitor both price and strategic activity in fast-moving markets.
Crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto recently drew attention to ongoing concerns about XRP’s price trajectory, echoing data shared by leading digital asset news outlet CoinDesk. The discussion highlights the significant gap between XRP’s current valuation and its highs achieved in early 2018, despite notable gains in competing cryptocurrencies over the same period.
Coindesk chart reveals performance gapCoinDesk’s latest analysis compared the performance of major cryptocurrencies since their respective peaks in late 2017 and early 2018. The data sets out how assets like BNB, Dogecoin, and Bitcoin have not only recovered but also surpassed their previous records. According to the chart reflecting prices as of October 2026, BNB leads with a surge of 2,818% over its earlier high. Dogecoin and Bitcoin have recorded increases of 322% and 314%, respectively, while Ethereum shows a 66% gain. Zcash has climbed 38%, and Tron trades just 4.2% below its previous record.
In stark contrast, XRP stands out as the only major asset substantially below its previous high, trading at $1.33—still 62.5% under its all-time peak from January 2018.
AssetPerformance vs. Previous HighCurrent Price*BNB+2,818%—Dogecoin+322%—Bitcoin+314%—Ethereum+66%—Zcash+38%—Tron-4.2%—XRP-62.5%$1.33DATA: XRP trades around $1.33, about 62.5% below its January 2018 peak, while Bitcoin, Ether and several other major cryptocurrencies have surpassed their previous highs.
The all-time high debateUncertainty remains about XRP’s precise all-time high. Some reference $3.84 as the top reached in 2018, but Ripple’s former Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz stated the true peak is $3.65, recorded in July 2025. Regardless, the token exceeded $3 in early 2018 but remains significantly below these levels today.
Mini dictionary: David Schwartz, a key figure in the development of Ripple and the XRP Ledger, played an instrumental role as the company’s CTO. His technical clarifications are often referenced within the industry.
XRP adoption versus price stagnationDespite more than six years of development, ongoing partnerships, and institutional adoption by Ripple, XRP has not succeeded in breaking above its historical highs. Numerous price forecasts from both analysts and the XRP community have not materialized into new peaks. In comparison, Bitcoin and Ethereum not only reached but surpassed their previous record prices.
XRP remains one of the few major crypto assets still trading below its historic 2018 high, despite years of ongoing partnerships and predictions of new rallies.
Some in the XRP community blame ongoing legal pressure for the stagnant price. According to community discussions, while leading assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum have not faced the same degree of legal scrutiny, XRP’s value may have suffered due to the longstanding lawsuit filed by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against Ripple.
Others within the community advise patience, arguing that long-term investors could still see substantial returns if regulatory challenges are resolved. Some, however, describe the asset as manipulated and have encouraged holders to consider selling due to continued underperformance.
XRP has undercut the $1.31 level needed for its current correction, leaving room for a rebound without necessarily sweeping the $1.25 support.
XRP has reached a support area where its current correction could begin to turn higher without first falling all the way to $1.25.
XRP’s 24-hour structure shows price entering its corrective support area after undercutting the earlier $1.31 low. The setup allows a rebound without a full sweep of $1.25, while the lower blue demand zone remains the broader invalidation area. The setup centers on the recent $1.31 low: under one Elliott Wave interpretation, XRP only needs to move beneath that earlier low to complete the final leg of the correction before attempting another advance.
XRP currently trades near $1.33, according to CoinMarketCap, after reaching a 24-hour low around $1.29. That means price has already traded beneath the $1.31 reference level highlighted in the structure.
The question now is whether that undercut was enough—or whether sellers will continue pressing XRP deeper into the support zone.
Why $1.31 Could Mark the Turning Area The current decline is being treated as an A-B-C correction.
The important detail is the shape of the B-wave. If that wave developed as a flat containing an “unorthodox low,” the final C-wave does not necessarily need to produce a dramatic new low.
It may only need to push beneath the earlier A-wave low around $1.31 before the corrective sequence can finish.
XRP has now done that intraday.
With price recovering toward $1.33 after dipping below $1.31, the market is already testing whether buyers will defend this portion of the structure.
That gives the current area more technical significance than a simple horizontal support.
XRP Does Not Have to Touch $1.25 The chart also marks a broader white demand zone below current price, extending roughly through the upper-$1.20s toward $1.25.
That area remains available if the correction stretches further, but the wave interpretation does not require XRP to sweep $1.25 before rebounding.
From $1.33, a move to $1.25 would represent another decline of roughly 6%.
This distinction matters. The scenario is not that $1.25 cannot break or cannot be tested. Rather, price may already have satisfied the minimum condition for the corrective C-wave by taking out the $1.31 A-wave low.
The next candles need to show whether buyers agree.
A Rebound Would Put $1.50 and $1.70 Back in View If XRP establishes a floor around the current region, the first meaningful recovery would require a move back toward $1.45-$1.50.
Above that sits the descending resistance line and the former B-wave region. The chart places a larger resistance reference around $1.70, which would need to be cleared before the bullish structure could expand toward higher extensions.
Further levels shown include approximately $1.93-$2.00, followed by the $2.08 area.
Those are later-stage targets and only become relevant if XRP first confirms that the current correction has ended.
From $1.33, a recovery to $1.50 would equal roughly 13%, while $1.70 would require about 28% upside.
Lower Blue Zone Is the Broader Bullish Invalidation Test The more serious downside risk sits below the white support area.
A larger blue demand zone stretches around roughly $1.05-$1.15 on the chart. This represents the broader support holding the bullish higher-timeframe interpretation together.
A higher-timeframe close beneath that region would undermine the current recovery thesis and increase the risk that XRP returns toward the $0.99 area or produces new lows.
For now, however, XRP is much closer to the first potential turning point.
The $1.31 low has already been undercut, meaning XRP could begin recovering without ever touching $1.25. Whether that happens now depends on buyers turning the current $1.29-$1.33 region into a durable floor.
XRP has entered a period of subdued retail interest, with global search activity for the cryptocurrency dropping significantly from its previous highs. Data from Google Trends shows that, by mid-October 2026, interest in XRP measured by global search volume had declined by more than 90% compared to July 2025, when the token surged toward the $3.65 level.
The search popularity index for “XRP” slipped to 13 points out of 100, reflecting the sharpest decline in sentiment among retail traders within the past year.
Sharp fall in search volume, but price remains resilientA review of search data since 2012 highlights the scale of last year’s surge. The spike in July 2025 appears as an isolated peak in long-term charts, with search interest returning to minimal levels before and after that event.
The trend has persisted over the past 12 months. On an annual time frame, search queries have fallen by half, and even the local uptick seen between August and September had disappeared by mid-October.
While general activity around XRP has dropped to multi-year lows, the price of the coin has demonstrated notable resilience. Despite reduced enthusiasm from smaller traders, XRP’s price has held within a narrow band of $1.30 to $1.34, establishing critical support at $1.25.
Contrasting apathy in search engines and stability in the marketThis extended period of low retail interest reflects a broader pattern affecting the entire crypto sector, as similar apathy has also dampened search volumes for bitcoin. In the case of XRP, analysts note a paradox: even as curiosity wanes, there has been no significant selling pressure pushing the price lower.
According to derivatives market data, excess leverage has disappeared as speculative positions have unwound. With many prediction platforms and algorithmic tools indicating that a psychological bottom in retail attention has been established, market observers are watching for signs of change in momentum.
Looking ahead, most models see XRP stabilizing in a consolidation range between $1.40 and $1.50 for the remainder of October. The return of heightened demand from retail traders, particularly visible in Google search activity, is likely required before any attempt at new all-time highs can be made.
Even with this pause, some analysts believe that the calm period could provide a base for the next extended market cycle. As the technical outlook tightens within key resistance and support zones, many traders are searching for tools that allow them to react quickly to sudden developments, such as Federal Reserve decisions or new altcoin listings, both of which can move the market in a matter of seconds. In this context, privacy-focused apps like CryptoAppsy are gaining popularity by offering real-time charts, smart price notifications, coin-specific headlines, and macroeconomic data on a single interface—without the need to register an account.
Financial analyst Austin Hilton has unveiled Market Vitals, a new trading platform aggregating data from 115 cryptocurrencies to offer real-time market health scores. Hilton presented the tool in a recent video and tweet, addressing $XRP holders and highlighting its potential for traders seeking advanced analytics.
Real-time market health score explainedMarket Vitals provides a single health score ranging from 0 to 100, designed to reflect current conditions across the broader cryptocurrency market. According to Hilton, this aggregate score draws on live data from an institutional-grade trading desk and includes comprehensive input from millions of dollars in trading activity.
“The data behind this is running an institutional-grade trading desk, millions of trading dollars.”
At the time of Hilton’s demonstration, the overall market received a health score of 56. A score between 50 and 65 signals a generally healthy environment, but Market Vitals projected a short-term pullback, with a forecasted -3.6% move expected over the following 10 days. The platform also anticipated a positive turn over a 30-day period but expressed caution for the 90-to-120-day outlook.
Mini dictionary: Market Vitals is a proprietary platform using real-time institutional data, advanced algorithms, and sector analysis to produce market health metrics and signal trading opportunities across multiple cryptocurrencies.
Sector breakdowns revealed that infrastructure coins held the strongest positions, while meme coins showed a sector score of 36, placing them among the weakest performers currently tracked by the platform.
SectorCurrent ScorePositionInfrastructureHighStrongestMeme coins36WeakestXRP’s signal: Caution for tradersHilton examined $XRP during his walkthrough, noting that Market Vitals currently rated XRP as a sell. This signal had been in place since October 7, 2026, according to the platform’s trading rule. He explained that the sell rating should be viewed as a tool for short-term trading and not as advice for long-term holders to exit their positions entirely.
While presenting Market Vitals, Hilton stated that its signals are targeted at active traders, not those holding long-term positions.
Analyzing the prior six months, Hilton referenced the platform’s buy and sell signals. The last major buy indication led to a 32% rally in XRP’s price, while a later sell alert preceded a 26% drop. The trading signals are intended to help users time entry and exit points around their core investments.
Platform features and subscription termsMarket Vitals is currently available for $99 per month, with a quarterly subscription option providing a lower rate. Hilton emphasized the inclusion of a 30-day, no-questions-asked refund for new users.
The platform features a portfolio tool allowing users to enter their holdings and get a composite health score, while individual asset rankings highlight which coins among the top 100-plus are currently in buy or sell zones. As of Hilton’s demonstration, coins such as Python, Arbitrum, Filecoin, and Injective ranked among the preferred buy signals.
Hilton described Market Vitals as a resource integrating years of proprietary data with AI-driven analytics, aiming to make institutional-grade tools accessible to retail investors for the first time.
17 October 2026 | 12:41 XRP has failed to stay above $1.34 and is moving closer to a support cluster at $1.26-$1.28 after 2.5% daily loss. Search activity and futures open interest are lower than during the earlier rally, but neither measure can show whether buyers or sellers will control the next move.
The XRP/USD daily chart showed price at $1.3082 on October 17 at 06:46 UTC. Its low of $1.30 left XRP above the $1.26-$1.279 range, where two longer-term moving averages meet a Fibonacci retracement.
XRP approaches the $1.26-$1.28 support cluster. The chart has changed in a specific way: $1.34 has shifted from support to resistance. XRP can bounce from the lower range, but it must reclaim $1.34 before that bounce begins to repair the breakdown.
XRP has given up the midpoint of its prior rally XRP’s latest decline follows a failed attempt to sustain a recovery above $1.34. Price has broken below its rising trendline and the 50-day simple moving average, while a descending resistance line from the measured rally high remains above the market.
That is a weaker setup than during the earlier recovery above $1.34, when XRP was trying to reach the $1.42-$1.43 resistance area. The support range identified in that analysis is now much closer, although the current candle has not reached it.
The Fibonacci grid measures the move from $0.99 to the $1.70 local high. XRP has fallen about 23% from that high and now trades below the 50% retracement at $1.34.
A move back above $1.34 would be the first repair, not a full trend reversal. XRP would still have to deal with the 50-day average, the 38.2% retracement and the descending trendline above.
The next test sits between $1.26 and $1.28 The 200-day SMA stands at $1.279, the 100-day SMA at $1.274 and the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement at $1.26. These are different tools pointing to the same small price area: the averages track longer price trends, while the retracement measures how far XRP has pulled back from its prior advance.
At $1.30, XRP was still about 2.2% above the upper edge of the range and 3.6% above its lower boundary. It is approaching the area, not testing the whole band yet. A brief wick into the range would be less meaningful than a close back above it after a sell-off.
Daily relative strength index, or RSI, stood at 36.07, below the neutral 50 mark and its smoothing line at 44.27. The reading fits the current weak momentum, but it is still above the conventional oversold threshold of 30. RSI alone does not show that sellers are finished.
Follow the price route
$1.34: The lost 50% retracement is XRP’s first recovery level. Holding back above it would show that the breakdown is losing force. $1.26-$1.279: The 61.8% retracement, 100-day SMA and 200-day SMA meet here. This is the first area where a more substantial response from buyers would matter. $1.14: The 78.6% retracement becomes relevant only if XRP closes below the nearer range and cannot recover it. $1.417-$1.427, then $1.53: A sustained recovery would still need to clear the 50-day average, the 38.2% retracement and the falling trendline before XRP could target higher resistance. Retail attention arrived early, then faded before futures did The sharp shift in XRP retail search interest is visible in Google activity. The worldwide Google Trends series for “xrp” reached 100 in December 2024 and remained high at 91 in January 2025. By October 2026, the reading had dropped to 16, a partial-month result that is 84% below the historical peak.
XRP searches fade after the 2024 peak. Futures exposure did not peak at the same time. The CoinGlass chart shows XRP open interest continuing to build after the search spike, eventually rising above $10 billion around July. Retail curiosity came first; the largest build-up in derivatives positions followed months later.
XRP open interest remains below its peak. Both measures have since cooled. CoinGlass listed XRP futures open interest at about $2.80 billion, well below the earlier area near $11 billion. After falling from that peak, it recovered into the roughly $3 billion-$4 billion range during later bursts of activity, but did not return to the previous high.
Google Trends does not count investors or their trades. It measures XRP’s share of searches, normalized for the selected period and geography. Open interest is also not directional because it includes both long and short positions, while its dollar value can fall alongside XRP’s price.
The charts show a much cooler backdrop than during XRP’s earlier run. They cannot determine whether the $1.26-$1.28 support range will hold. That answer will come from the price reaction and the participation behind it.
The support reaction could set the next direction If XRP reaches $1.26-$1.28 and rebounds, the first test would be $1.34. A daily close above that level, followed by the ability to hold it on a pullback, would carry more weight than a single green candle near support.
Above $1.34, XRP would face $1.417-$1.427, where the 50-day average sits near the 38.2% retracement. The descending trendline remains a further obstacle. Only after those references are recovered would $1.53 come back into focus.
If XRP closes below $1.26 and cannot regain the range, attention would shift to $1.142. A break below that level would leave $0.99, the starting point of the measured rally, as the deeper reference.
Spot volume and contract-denominated open interest would offer a clearer read on participation around that support test than search interest alone.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Technical indicators and market data are interpretive tools, not guarantees of future price movement.
Author
Kosta has reported on cryptocurrency markets and blockchain infrastructure since 2020, bringing over six years of hands-on experience in the crypto industry built through daily tracking of markets, trends, and emerging blockchain developments. Specializing in Bitcoin on-chain analysis, institutional ETF flows, and digital asset price action, his work at Coindoo has been cited by other news agencies and consistently covers market developments with a focus on data-driven reporting across Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and XRP. Over the years, Kosta has contributed to multiple crypto media outlets in different regions, authoring over 6,000 articles across the sector. His reporting spans cryptocurrency markets and the broader fintech industry, tracking not only price action but also the technological and regulatory forces shaping the ecosystem. To support his analysis, Kosta actively leverages on-chain data and metrics from leading platforms such as Santiment, Glassnode, and CryptoQuant, enabling deeper, evidence-based market insights. He believes in the power of transparency and the data that underpins the blockchain ecosystem. His academic background in Marketing Management from Denmark further complements his analytical approach, adding a strong understanding of communication strategy and content positioning to his work.
XRP is trading around 1.33 dollars, 62.5% below its January 2018 peak, while Bitcoin and Ether have largely surpassed their levels from that time. This underperformance does not mean that all its holders have lost money: it mainly concerns those who bought close to the peaks, while the increase in supply has diluted the value represented by each token.
In brief XRP is trading around 1.33 dollars, 62.5% below its January 2018 peak. Unlike Bitcoin and Ether, XRP struggles to maintain its gains in the long term. The circulating supply has increased by 63% since 2017, which weighs on the value of each token. Limited institutional demand and still modest adoption of XRP hinder its progress. A sustained rise in XRP will depend on demand capable of absorbing new units put into circulation. XRP remains far from its January 2018 peak While its capitalization has just fallen by 117 billion dollars, XRP’s journey strongly depends on the date chosen to measure its return. An investor who entered at a low price could have made a significant profit, but one who bought during the euphoria of early 2018 remains largely at a loss nearly nine years later.
Several figures illustrate this gap :
XRP trades around 1.33 dollars ; Its January 2018 peak was near 3.55 dollars ; The token thus remains about 62.5 % below this level ; It briefly reached 3.66 dollars in July 2025 before dropping again ; Its circulating supply has increased from 38.7 to 63.1 billion XRP since 2017. The situation contrasts with that of Bitcoin and Ether. Despite their decline since the record highs of 2025, both assets remain well above their peaks of the 2017 cycle. Investors who have held their positions since that period therefore show, on average, significantly better performance.
However, it would be an exaggeration to say that XRP has enriched no holder. Purchases made during market lows, particularly below 0.30 dollars, have generated high returns. The comparison mainly concerns a buying strategy at the peak of 2017-2018 followed by holding without trading.
The brief record in July 2025 also shows that some investors found a profitable exit window. However, its temporary character highlights XRP’s inability to sustainably maintain a valuation higher than its former peak.
The increase in supply dilutes the value of each token XRP has a fixed cap of 100 billion units, all created at the launch of the XRP Ledger. The protocol does not issue new tokens by mining or staking. However, the supply available on the market keeps increasing as Ripple releases and distributes a portion of the XRP held in escrow.
Nicolai Sondergaard, an analyst at Nansen, explains:
The circulating supply has increased by 63%, from 38.7 billion in 2017 to 63.1 billion, while the total value of XRP has only fallen by about 3%. More XRP in circulation means each token represents a smaller share of an almost identical total value.
This distinction between unit price and market capitalization is essential. If the market capitalization remained stable while supply grew by 63%, the theoretical price of each XRP would decrease by about 39%. The price can therefore remain much lower than its former record even if the total value assigned to the network approaches it.
Oliver Carding, marketing manager of Tesseract Group, thus considers that the performance seems less bad when measured by capitalization. “In value, XRP has recovered”, he states. However, this collective recovery does not benefit former holders in the same way, as it is spread among more tokens.
In the 90 days preceding October 10, about 898 million XRP are said to have joined the circulating supply. At the same time, transaction fees have only destroyed about 44,800 XRP. The burn mechanism therefore remains too weak to offset the distributions.
Insufficient institutional demand and usage The increase in supply alone does not explain XRP’s lag. Institutional demand remains much weaker than that observed for Bitcoin and Ether. ETFs related to these two assets have attracted several billion dollars, while XRP products have more modest assets under management and flows.
Trading activity has also declined after periods of euphoria. A drop in volumes limits market depth and reduces XRP’s ability to absorb new units put into circulation without price pressure.
XRP’s positioning also played a role. Ripple develops its use in international payments and strengthens its ecosystem with the stablecoin RLUSD. However, the token has benefited less from successive big trends in the sector, such as decentralized finance, NFTs, staking, or applications related to artificial intelligence.
Finally, the long legal battle between Ripple and the Securities and Exchange Commission fostered regulatory uncertainty for several years. Even after favorable advances obtained by the company, this period hindered access to the U.S. market and weakened the confidence of some investors.
XRP therefore suffers not from a single weakness but from a combination of supply dilution, weaker demand, and limited adoption of the token itself. A sustained rise would require purchases to absorb future distributions rather than relying only on speculative episodes.
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Diplômé de Sciences Po Toulouse et titulaire d'une certification consultant blockchain délivrée par Alyra, j'ai rejoint l'aventure Cointribune en 2019. Convaincu du potentiel de la blockchain pour transformer de nombreux secteurs de l'économie, j'ai pris l'engagement de sensibiliser et d'informer le grand public sur cet écosystème en constante évolution. Mon objectif est de permettre à chacun de mieux comprendre la blockchain et de saisir les opportunités qu'elle offre. Je m'efforce chaque jour de fournir une analyse objective de l'actualité, de décrypter les tendances du marché, de relayer les dernières innovations technologiques et de mettre en perspective les enjeux économiques et sociétaux de cette révolution en marche.
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Former Ripple CBDC adviser Anthony Welfare says the XRP Ledger (XRPL) has the technology to support large-scale banking and cross-border payments. But there is a catch.
He believes that strong technology does not automatically lead to overall institutional adoption or guarantee gains in XRP’s price.
XRP Ledger Is Ready for Large-Scale BankingSpeaking on the AllinCrypto Podcast, Welfare said XRPL can support cross-border payments, tokenized assets, and fast, low-cost transactions. He sees no fundamental reason the network cannot scale to meet the needs of banks, payment systems, and governments.
“The tech is there, I don’t believe it couldn’t scale to whatever is needed for any banking system, payment system, or government.”
He further pointed to XRPL’s ability to process transactions in seconds.
He also noted that companies are moving beyond blockchain trials toward pilot programs and real-world applications, although much of this work remains private.
XRPL Has the Technology for Payments and TokenizationWelfare said XRPL allows users to trade assets and send money between wallets in less than three seconds.
He also pointed to Ripple (RLUSD), a dollar-backed stablecoin, as an example of how the network can support digital payments. In the future, users could also transfer digital versions of currencies, stocks, and other assets through blockchain networks.
Liquidity and Interoperability Remain Major ChallengesDespite these capabilities, institutions need more than speed to adopt XRPL. Welfare said they also require sufficient liquidity, reliable asset backing, custody services, and compliance systems.
Connecting different networks is another challenge, as businesses may use Ethereum, Arbitrum, private blockchains, or other systems instead of relying on one ledger.
“The tech is there. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t work, apart from humans.”
This means that the challenge is not only about transaction speed or cost. Institutions must also decide which networks to use and how to connect them.
XRPL Adoption Does Not Guarantee XRP Price RallyAt last, when asked whether growth in the XRPL ecosystem would lead to an XRP price rally. Welfare said banks and companies can use the XRP Ledger to send money and move digital assets. But more use of the network does not mean the XRP token will gain the same value.
The benefit to XRP depends on how it is used in payments. Other factors, such as available funds, asset backing, safe storage, and how payments move, also matter.
Therefore, higher XRPL transaction volumes do not automatically lead to higher XRP demand or prices.
As of now, XRP is trading near $1.31 amid a broader crypto market correction.
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Cross River Bank has integrated RLUSD on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) into its proprietary Core Operating System (COS), enabling fintech firms to access RLUSD settlements alongside ACH, wire transfers, and real-time payments through a single API connection. This development positions RLUSD as a direct settlement option within the banking infrastructure already used by Cross River’s fintech partners.
New settlement rail for fintechsWith this integration, fintechs connected to Cross River’s COS platform can now move between U.S. dollars and RLUSD directly. RLUSD, a stablecoin backed on a 1:1 basis by U.S. dollars, is issued on the XRP Ledger and supports real-time, low-cost settlement. Transactions on the XRPL are processed within three to five seconds, allowing for 24/7 settlement at minimal fees.
The enhanced system supports intraday settlement for both issuers and acquirers, helping to significantly reduce latency. This improvement is especially relevant for payment companies seeking immediate, secure, and regulated settlement without managing multiple vendors or blockchain systems.
Adam Goller, Head of Fintech Banking at Cross River, explained that this partnership removes complexity and streamlines payments, making it possible for fintechs to access all payment options, including RLUSD, through a single system.
Mini dictionary: Cross River Bank is a US-based financial institution specializing in technology-driven banking and payment solutions, serving both fintech companies and enterprises by providing regulated access to financial infrastructure.
XRP Ledger’s role and technical featuresAccording to XRPL validator Vet, integrating RLUSD on the XRPL marks a major step for XRP’s role as a bridge asset. The XRPL supports functions such as tokenization, trust lines, and account reserves, features that contribute to its efficiency and ability to serve as a settlement layer.
The ledger’s decentralized exchange also leverages an autobridging mechanism powered by XRP, which automatically provides liquidity between different token pairs. As more assets are issued on the XRPL, activity and demand for XRP are expected to grow in tandem.
Vet described the XRPL as a “purpose-built settlement machine,” adding that RLUSD’s integration opens the door for broader network usage and allows the ledger to manage the complexity of settlement autonomously.
Mini dictionary: XRPL (XRP Ledger) is a decentralized, open-source blockchain platform developed to enable fast, low-cost, and reliable cross-border payments and token issuance, using XRP as its native currency.
Adoption, scale, and industry impactRLUSD’s market capitalization has surpassed $2.5 billion, with more than $1 billion currently circulating on the XRP Ledger. To date, the XRPL network has settled over $1.3 trillion in value. RippleX, a division of Ripple dedicated to XRPL development, highlighted Cross River’s adoption as a major opportunity for advancing regulated blockchain payments in banking.
Markus Infanger, SVP of RippleX at Ripple, noted that Cross River’s deployment of RLUSD and the XRPL’s settlement capabilities demonstrates how regulated financial systems are increasingly leveraging blockchain for efficiency and scale.
The RLUSD integration is currently live only in a limited number of U.S. states. Ripple and Cross River have emphasized that this initiative creates shared infrastructure allowing RLUSD and traditional U.S. dollar transactions to coexist within a regulated framework.
MetricValueRLUSD total market cap$2.5 billionRLUSD supply on XRPL$1 billionValue settled on XRPL$1.3 trillionFor validators and participants in the XRPL ecosystem, the Cross River integration provides a live example of regulated, real-time settlement running at scale via public blockchain technology.
As countries continue exploring alternatives to reduce dependence on the US dollar, Phil Kwok, co-founder of EasyA—a prominent platform focused on blockchain education—suggested that XRP’s original mission should be reconsidered. Kwok argued that XRP can enable cross-border payments between different currencies without linking transactions to any particular government.
XRP’s design as a bridge assetAccording to Kwok, the XRP Ledger was created to solve inefficiencies in exchanging money between various fiat currencies. Traditional currency exchange often requires access to pairs with high liquidity. When these pairs lack sufficient volume, transactions become costly or complicated for users seeking to move value internationally.
The XRP Ledger uses a mechanism known as auto-bridging, allowing XRP to serve as an intermediary asset when exchanging two less liquid currencies. This setup can link markets that otherwise lack robust direct trading pairs and could lead to broader financial connectivity.
Kwok described XRP as intentionally built for this global intermediary role.
“The world needs a neutral bridge currency, and XRP was designed exactly for that. The question now is what happens as the landscape shifts,” he stated.
The auto-bridging feature stands out for its ability to facilitate transactions across otherwise fragmented currency markets.
Mini dictionary: EasyA, a blockchain accelerator and educational platform that provides resources for developers and entrepreneurs in the crypto industry.
Stablecoins: Limits and unanswered questionsAcknowledging the growing popularity of stablecoins, Kwok noted examples such as RLUSD—a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar and issued by a Ripple subsidiary. These digital assets let users transfer and retain dollar-based value without needing a US bank account, offering convenience in global commerce.
Despite this, Kwok raised concerns over scenarios in which two parties wish to transact without involving a currency tied to any national government. In such cases, stablecoins may not offer a truly neutral medium of exchange.
“There needs to be something in the middle unaffiliated with any specific government, and XRP is positioned for this role,” he emphasized.
This perspective highlights the ongoing debate within the crypto sector over the need for a digital asset capable of bridging multiple monetary systems.
Geopolitical tensions and growing demandKwok believes that rising geopolitical tensions could accelerate the search for alternative payment systems. Drawing a parallel with the global shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, he suggested that international disputes may act as a catalyst for the adoption of new financial technologies.
Crypto advocate John Squire expressed a similar opinion, highlighting that XRP was envisioned as a neutral bridge long before most market participants recognized the potential need. Squire cautioned that real-world adoption remains the true test ahead.
Kwok argued that geopolitical shifts increase the relevance of a neutral bridge asset, but also stated that demand alone does not guarantee XRP’s widespread adoption among financial institutions. The asset’s technical abilities for currency-to-currency transfers offer significant promise, yet actual take-up from banks and payment providers will ultimately determine its importance in the global system.
The outcome depends on whether financial institutions are willing to embrace XRP for its intended cross-border function. Sustained adoption, rather than just technical capability, will decide the extent of the asset’s impact.
Ripple has entered a strategic partnership with DriveWealth, a global provider of Brokerage-as-a-Service technology, to bring RLUSD stablecoin settlement and payments infrastructure to an international network of financial partners. DriveWealth serves as a technology backbone for more than 100 fintech platforms and financial institutions, offering white-label brokerage services to enable investment access without requiring firms to develop their own infrastructure.
RLUSD stablecoin integration with brokerage operationsThe collaboration will introduce RLUSD stablecoin-based settlement on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), starting in Europe with plans for future expansion into the US market. According to Ripple, the integration targets institutional finance and aims to simplify how fintechs, digital wallets and financial institutions manage payment and collateral flows.
With this partnership, DriveWealth clients may gain the capability to fund and manage collateral accounts using RLUSD stablecoins, which can be rapidly converted to cash. The infrastructure leverages the digital asset minting and redemption features of Ripple’s ecosystem, potentially streamlining operations and improving liquidity management for participating partners.
Standard Chartered, a multinational bank, recently launched custody services for RLUSD, further highlighting growing institutional use of Ripple’s stablecoin technology.
Despite the media attention, DriveWealth and Ripple have not revealed the list of partners that will immediately use the RLUSD settlement option. There were no transaction volume figures or a defined launch date announced.
Mini dictionary: DriveWealth is a US-based fintech firm specializing in API-driven brokerage infrastructure, enabling its clients to offer global investment access without building regulatory and technical systems from scratch.
DriveWealth will enable stablecoin-based funding and settlement solutions on a network of over 100 brokerage partners worldwide, building a link between the blockchain and traditional equities infrastructure.
Potential impact on stock settlement efficiencyOne of the core challenges for global brokerage operations relates to slow processing times for cross-border funding. While US equities now settle under a T+1 cycle, requiring trades to clear one business day after execution, international bank transfers may still lag due to time zone differences and the legacy payment system.
DriveWealth already offers its platform partners access to extended trading hours; however, the movement of cash across borders remains a constraint. RLUSD stablecoin transactions could allow for real-time fund transfers, unrestricted by conventional banking hours.
This structure reflects broader trends in institutional finance, where digital assets are increasingly used to facilitate rapid collateral movement and transaction settlement. Nonetheless, instant funding via RLUSD does not replace the regulatory clearing and settlement required for US stock transactions, but rather focuses on cash management before and after trades.
While rapid stablecoin funding increases efficiency, the regulated clearing process for US equities will continue to operate separately from blockchain-based collateral flows.
Expanding Ripple Prime’s digital asset servicesBeyond payments and collateral, the Ripple and DriveWealth partnership extends into digital asset custody and equity financing services. Ripple Prime—the institutional division of Ripple—aims to enhance market access for large clients by providing secure storage for digital assets and potential financing via equity-linked products.
This development follows DriveWealth’s acquisition of brokerage and market infrastructure player Hidden Road for $1.25 billion, which expanded its capabilities in equity and derivative product offerings.
Ripple is also working to expand its XRPL wallet functionality, which helps integrate digital asset payments into broader financial applications. For $XRP holders, the direct impact of this deal on token demand remains uncertain, as transaction fees and account reserves on XRPL will continue to require XRP, but major inflows or volumes have not been disclosed.
Further details regarding the rollout, partner adoption, and customer usage may be revealed at Ripple Swell, an industry event scheduled in New York on October 28.
Ethereum, XRP, and Hyperliquid face resistance as Celestia rallies and Lighter rebounds. Daily charts identify support levels and breakout tests for each coin.
Asset Price Rolling 24-hour change Aggregate 24-hour volume Ethereum (ETH) $2,425.66 −0.43% $11.90 billion XRP $1.31 −1.78% $1.36 billion Hyperliquid (HYPE) $79.99 −1.00% $642.82 million Celestia (TIA) $0.733617 +21.77% $302.67 million Lighter (LIT) $3.22 +5.38% $76.72 million Ethereum: MACD Weakness Eases Without a Bullish Crossover Ethereum closed October 16 at $2,420.22 on Kraken, down 0.79% from the previous daily close. Its $2,490.84 session high failed to extend the recovery, leaving price below the $2,527–$2,535 highs recorded earlier in the week.
Ethereum’s daily Kraken USD chart shows a narrowing negative MACD histogram, but no bullish crossover. Support lies at $2,390.35 and $2,313.42. Daily MACD, using 12- and 26-period exponential moving averages with a nine-period signal line, remained negative.
The MACD line stood at −38.59 against a −9.18 signal line. The histogram improved from −31.29 to −29.41, indicating a narrower bearish gap rather than a confirmed bullish crossover.
Four-hour MACD was above its signal line but still below zero at the latest completed candle. That supports a short-term recovery attempt, not confirmation that the daily decline has ended.
A daily price close above $2,490.84 would strengthen the case for another test of $2,527–$2,535. Holding above that second area would weaken the recent lower-high pattern.
A close below $2,390.35 would instead expose the October 15 low of $2,313.42 and invalidate the immediate rebound setup.
Compared with the October 16 report’s $2,435.07 snapshot, ETH was about 0.39% lower. The focus shifts from moving averages to momentum, but the need to reclaim overhead resistance remains unchanged.
XRP: RSI Slips as Support Near $1.28 Comes Into Focus XRP closed October 16 at $1.30952, down 1.79%. Its daily range remained above the October 15 low of $1.28274, but the lower close showed that the rebound had not established sustained demand.
RP’s daily RSI fell to 36.37 as price held above $1.28274–$1.28724 support. A close above $1.35208 would strengthen the recovery case. The 14-period daily RSI, calculated with Wilder smoothing, fell to 36.37 from 38.75. That reading remains below the neutral 50 level without reaching the conventional sub-30 oversold threshold.
It indicates weak momentum, not an automatic reversal signal. Four-hour RSI at 39.31 also remained below neutral.
The $1.28274–$1.28724 area contains the lows of the last two completed sessions. A daily close beneath $1.28274 would invalidate that short-term support and bring the September 16 low of $1.24610 back into view.
For a recovery, XRP first needs to reclaim $1.33338 and then close above $1.35208, Friday’s high.
That would improve the prospects for a move toward $1.38076–$1.38535. Until those levels are recovered, holding support alone does not establish a new uptrend.
The October 15 report used Bollinger Bands. Since then, Kraken’s daily close has fallen from $1.32990 to $1.30952, about 1.53%, reinforcing the weaker momentum picture.
Hyperliquid: Price Stays Below Falling Moving Averages HYPE closed Friday at $80.22, down 1.80%, after trading between $78.35 and $82.44. Successive highs below $83 since October 14 show that recovery attempts have struggled to regain the earlier trading range.
Hyperliquid closed below its falling 20-day and 50-day EMAs, with support at $77.35–$78.35 and initial resistance at $82.44–$82.69. The 20-day exponential moving average stood at $85.23 and the 50-day EMA at $83.33. Both declined from the previous session, while price remained below them.
The faster average is still above the slower one, so the latest candle did not produce a fresh bearish moving-average crossover. The immediate weakness comes from price position and the falling averages.
Support sits at $77.35–$78.35, encompassing the October 15 and 16 lows. A daily close below $77.35 would put the September lows around $76.53 and $75.11 in focus.
A close above the $82.44–$82.69 recent-high area would be the first recovery checkpoint. Regaining the 50-day EMA would strengthen that attempt, with the 20-day EMA the next dynamic resistance.
A move back beneath $77.35 would invalidate the near-term recovery case. Search interest alone does not resolve this technical weakness.
Celestia: Breakout Arrives With Higher Exchange Volume TIA’s October 16 close of $0.6877 marked a 16.60% daily gain on Kraken and cleared the $0.6321–$0.6325 highs established on October 11 and 13. Unlike an intraday excursion, that move was confirmed by a completed daily candle.
Celestia closed above $0.6325 as Kraken daily volume reached 2.71 times its preceding 20-session average. The $0.7617 level is an October 17 four-hour high, not a completed daily breakout. Kraken recorded 6.97 million TIA traded during the session, approximately 2.71 times the mean of the preceding 20 completed sessions.
The higher matching exchange volume gives the breakout more support than a price move on thin turnover. It does not identify the buyers or establish why they traded.
The first completed four-hour candle on October 17 reached $0.7617 and closed at $0.7330, above Friday’s $0.7221 high. However, the daily candle had not closed above that level.
A daily finish above $0.7221 would confirm a further advance, with $0.7617 the next observed price hurdle rather than a guaranteed target.
On a pullback, the $0.6195–$0.6325 breakout area becomes the main retest zone. Closing below $0.6195 would weaken the breakout, while losing Friday’s $0.5808 low would invalidate the latest upward leg and expose the earlier $0.5200 low.
Lighter: Rebound Remains Below the Bollinger Midpoint Lighter closed Friday at $3.174 on Kraken’s LIGHTER/USD market, up 4.86%. That recovered the previous day’s $3.133 high, but the close remained beneath Friday’s $3.336 intraday peak and the October 14 high of $3.415.
Lighter rebounded below its $3.685 Bollinger midpoint, with $3.336–$3.415 the nearest resistance area. Daily Bollinger Bands, calculated from a 20-day simple moving average and two population standard deviations, placed the midpoint at $3.685, the lower band at $2.890 and the upper band at $4.481.
Price rebounded inside the lower half of the envelope, while the midpoint continued to fall. This remains a recovery within a declining trend rather than a confirmed trend reversal.
A daily close above $3.336–$3.415 would clear the nearest resistance area and improve the prospects for a midpoint retest. Because the bands recalculate each session, $3.685 is a current reference, not a fixed future target.
Support is defined by the $2.918 and $2.997 lows of October 15 and 16. A close below $2.918 would invalidate the rebound and put the current lower band in focus.
The completed four-hour close of $3.218 showed early follow-through, but did not clear daily resistance.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has explained why the company contributed a significant amount of XRP to Evernorth, the XRP treasury company that recently debuted on Nasdaq. Speaking at Nasdaq on the company’s listing day, he said the move fits Ripple’s long-standing approach of investing in its own ecosystem, and that his trust in Evernorth’s leadership sealed the decision.
Why Ripple backed Evernorth
Asked why Ripple put its tokens into Evernorth, Garlinghouse said supporting the community has been part of Ripple’s strategy “since really its inception.” That support has sometimes reached beyond XRP, he added, because Ripple believes in “a multi-chain world.”
The deciding factor was Evernorth CEO Asheesh Birla, who previously worked under Garlinghouse at Ripple and later sat on its board. “When Asheesh raised his hand and expressed interest, that to me cemented our interests,” Garlinghouse said.
He described Birla as “an extraordinary leader” who has shown “unique acumen around talent, around strategy,” both at Ripple and now at Evernorth.
How it helps XRP
Garlinghouse said Evernorth’s listing strengthens the XRP ecosystem in three ways:
Liquidity and trust: The listing “furthers liquidity” and “trust in the XRP ecosystem,” he said.New investors: A listed company opens XRP to people who cannot easily access crypto markets directly. “Just that is a major step,” he said.More than buy-and-hold: Evernorth plans to use on-chain and off-chain strategies to earn yield and build institutional products, which he said “positions XRP to perform really well.”He also explained how hard it has been to reach this point. “There were a couple hundred various DATs trying to get public,” he said, referring to digital asset treasury companies. “The fact that we are here today with XRP trading is a big deal.”
“Ripple was on to something”
Garlinghouse reflected on Ripple’s years as an outsider in crypto. Many early crypto users held a strongly anti-establishment view, and Ripple drew criticism for building for banks and traditional finance.
“For a bunch of years, Ripple was a controversial contrarian because we were leaning into TradFi as our core customer set,” he said. Now the market has come around, and “a lot of other players in the industry recognise that hey, maybe Ripple was on to something there.”
The hard years are not over
Garlinghouse stopped short of declaring victory. “I’m not ready to say the hard years are behind us,” he said.
Still, he believes markets are underestimating the shift in the US. The United States accounts for about 22% of global GDP and spent years “leaning out” on crypto, he said. Now its institutions are “leaning in like they never have before.”
Story Ends Here
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This article was automatically generated using Dow Jones technology. Most major cryptocurrencies were down at 4 p.m. Eastern time, with XRP seeing the biggest change, declining 3.0% to $1.30. Cardano declined 2.5% to 22 cents, and Solana declined 2.0% to $103.43. Ethereum fell 1.7% to $2,409.03, while Dogecoin fell 1.5 % to 8 cents.
Sui dropped 1.3% to $1.02. Bitcoin declined 0.7% to $81,467.90, and Avalanche increased 0.2% to $9.99. Tronix climbed 0.9% to 33 cents. Data source: Dow Jones Market Data, Kraken (END) Dow Jones Newswires 10-16-26 1600ET Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
X Finance Bull, a cryptocurrency commentator, suggested that XRP could see increased demand as financial institutions intensify their use of tokenized assets and digital currencies to improve liquidity across markets. In a recent analysis, X Finance Bull connected the International Monetary Fund’s research on reserve management and tokenization with the unique asset-exchange capabilities of the XRP Ledger, proposing that XRP may become a key intermediary for liquidity as digital infrastructure evolves.
IMF research and institutional liquidityX Finance Bull examined a discussion from the International Monetary Fund that included Calixto José Ortega Sánchez, Venezuela’s Vice President for the Economy. Ortega Sánchez previously served as the president of Venezuela’s central bank, the Banco Central de Venezuela, and played a significant role in managing the country’s currency and reserves.
The discussion focused on critical topics such as the management of international reserves, the importance of foreign-currency access, gold holdings, and the structure of central bank swap arrangements. These subjects raised a key issue: how can financial institutions efficiently convert their asset holdings into usable liquidity when it is most needed?
X Finance Bull linked this issue to the IMF’s increased interest in tokenization, pointing to the growing use of programmable financial infrastructure among large players.
Mini dictionary: International Monetary Fund (IMF), a global financial institution that fosters monetary cooperation and financial stability among its member countries through economic analysis and development programs.
Tokenized gold and new collateral modelsVenezuela’s reported efforts to use gold held at the Bank of England as loan collateral provided X Finance Bull with a practical example. The use of tokenization, in his view, could simplify such arrangements by enabling assets like gold to become more easily managed and used in financial transactions without the requirement for outright sales.
He outlined a model where a regulated entity creates a digital representation of rights to gold securely held by an approved custodian. Financial institutions could then use these digital claims as collateral or in trading arrangements within digital markets.
As an example, X Finance Bull referred to Assetiko Commodities’ XAUa, a token on the XRP Ledger and Stellar that represents direct gold exposure, alongside similar initiatives such as Meld Gold’s digital metals.
According to the commentator, the tokenized gold market reached nearly $6 billion in February 2026. He argued that deeper integration of tokenized assets with lending, collateral, and trading could result in higher demand for technologies that connect tokenized assets to other instruments.
AssetNetworkMarket Size (Feb 2026)XAUaXRP Ledger, StellarNearly $6 billionMeld GoldVariousNot specifiedAuto-bridging and XRP’s role in liquidityThe analysis also emphasized the XRP Ledger’s decentralized exchange and auto-bridging functionality, which automatically routes transactions between different issued assets through XRP if that path offers superior market pricing. This function can make XRP a preferred intermediary in trades, particularly when exchanging assets like RLUSD for tokenized gold, if the route through XRP proves more efficient.
Such mechanisms may require liquidity providers to hold XRP across different trading pairs to enable smoother client transactions on the decentralized exchange.
Auto-bridging can connect diverse digital assets by automatically exchanging through XRP when conditions are favorable, potentially generating consistent demand for XRP as an intermediary asset without requiring gold or other digitized assets to directly back XRP itself.
Outlook on institutional adoption and XRP demandX Finance Bull linked his argument to broader developments in institutional custody, tokenization, and collateral management. He referenced partnerships like Ripple’s collaboration with major financial institutions and Standard Chartered’s custody services for RLUSD, a stablecoin issued on the XRP Ledger, as steps supporting increased digital-asset integration.
The commentator also cited the Bank for International Settlements’ Project Agorá, which studies the use of tokenized commercial-bank deposits and central-bank reserves to streamline cross-border payments, though Project Agorá does not directly confirm XRP usage.
Looking ahead to 2027–2030, X Finance Bull anticipates further integration of tokenized assets—gold, digital dollars, securities—with institutional finance. He expects that XRP could play a larger role if it becomes the preferred tool for market makers to bridge these growing markets.
Tokenizing $1 billion in gold will not necessarily lead to $1 billion in XRP purchases. The more relevant metric is the amount of XRP that market makers and liquidity providers maintain to support regular transaction flows between digital assets.
Ultimately, the analyst emphasized that proven and sustained institutional adoption, higher XRP inventories by professional trading firms, and increased liquidity for gold tokens and stablecoins would be the crucial indicators confirming XRP’s expanding function within the digital-asset ecosystem.
Bitwise's spot XRP ETF has reached $561M in assets under management, leading all issuers and holding over a third of total XRP ETF assets.
Bitwise now holds more than half a billion dollars in $XRP through its spot exchange-traded fund. The Bitwise XRP ETF has assets under management of $561 million, outpacing every other issuer by more than $150 million and accounting for more than one third of all XRP ETF holdings.
Spot @Ripple-linked ETFs have had a busy 2026, but @Bitwise's product sits at the top of the issuer rankings.
How the Bitwise XRP ETF comparesThe fund began trading on Nov. 19, 2025. TradingView fund data lists the product as passively managed and tracking the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate. Its filings state that the trust's sole asset is XRP and that shares are listed on NYSE Arca under the ticker XRP, according to the fund's Form 10-Q filed with the SEC.
Bitwise's lead is also visible in issuer breakdowns. One tracker lists the fund at $517.4 million, or 33.8% of the sector, ahead of Canary at $457.8 million and Franklin Templeton at $425.7 million, per CryptoETF.today. Exact AUM figures differ by data provider and date, as fund values move with the XRP price.
Flows remain concentrated in one issuerRecent flow data points the same way. Bitwise's fund took in $10.55 million of the $11.31 million that entered U.S. spot XRP ETFs in the week of Oct. 5 to 9, and it leads on lifetime net inflows with $688 million, according to Bitcoin.com News, citing SoSoValue data.
The wider picture is more mixed. XRP ETFs have recorded 13 straight weeks of net inflows, yet Altcoin Buzz reports that total net assets fell to $1.57 billion from $1.66 billion over the same week, as the XRP price weighed on the value of fund holdings. Because the issuer set is small, daily flows can swing sharply on the activity of a single fund.
For $XRP investors, the milestone shows where institutional demand for regulated exposure is concentrating. Whether Bitwise can hold its lead will depend on continued inflows and on the direction of the XRP price.
Sources:
Bitwise XRP ETF Form 10-Q (SEC)Bitcoin.com News: XRP ETF flowsCryptoETF.today: XRP ETF issuers by AUM
