Cryptocurrency

XRP Faces a Tipping Point as Smart Money Battles Bearish Setup

Whales are Accumulating XRP, Exchange Balances are Falling, but Charts Show a Possible Bearish Breakdown Near $1.40

Written By : Pardeep Sharma
Reviewed By : Manisha Sharma

Overview:

  • XRP is trading near $1.40, making the $1.40–$1.44 zone a critical support level.

  • Large holders are accumulating, signalling possible smart money confidence despite market weakness.

  • A bearish head-and-shoulders pattern suggests a potential 16% drop if support breaks.

XRP is at an important stage with price action, whale activity, and chart patterns all pointing toward a major move ahead. While some large investors are quietly accumulating, technical signals still suggest risks. This strife between market confidence and caution has placed XRP at a make-or-break level.

Current Price and Market Mood

At press time, XRP is trading near $1.40 after a volatile month. The price has moved quickly, with fast rallies followed by sharp pullbacks.

The overall crypto market has also been unstable. Bitcoin and Ethereum have struggled to maintain a steady pace with global economic uncertainty and changing central bank decisions.

Investors are cautiously responding to macroeconomic data. Risk appetite is unstable, which means digital assets are moving in quick breakout sequences rather than strong trends. XRP price is in a tight range, showing that neither buyers nor sellers are fully in control yet.

Whale Activity and Smart Money

On-chain data showed that large investors bought a large number of XRP tokens in mid-February. Many XRP coins were moved from exchanges into private wallets, suggesting investors plan to hold them instead of selling. The purchase occurred in groups, hinting at coordinated accumulation. 

When fewer coins are available on exchanges, supply becomes tighter. If demand stays strong in such a situation, the price can rise faster. Some analysts believe this could help XRP recover in the medium term.

Also Read - XRP Price Steady Amid Growing Inflows and Derivatives Trading

Technical Warning Signs

The price chart shows a possible head-and-shoulders pattern, even with this buying, hinting at a potential drop. The main support level is between $1.40 and $1.44. If the price falls below this area with strong selling volume, XRP could drop about 16% from its recent high. This could send it to lower levels not seen in weeks.

There is also a warning from the Chaikin Money Flow indicator. While price tried to move higher, this indicator has been falling, suggesting hidden selling pressure.

Structure vs Sentiment

Currently, there is a struggle between strong buyers and weak chart structure.

If XRP stays above $1.40 to $1.44 and buying increases, the bearish pattern could fail. In that case, the next target is around $1.70 to $1.75. A strong move above that range could turn sentiment bullish again.

However, if support breaks clearly, stop-loss orders could trigger more selling, speeding up the decline suggested by the head and shoulders pattern.

Regulatory Developments Add Stability

The regulatory background has improved compared to previous years. Ripple Labs reached a settlement stage with the US Securities and Exchange Commission in 2025, agreeing to pay a reduced $50 million fine. This development removed an uncertainty that weighed on XRP for years.

Although regulations in the United States have improved, global policy is still unclear. Regional differences in crypto rules have an impact on institutional participation.

Also Read - Is XRP Undervalued in 2026 or Still Exposed to Legal and Macro Risks?

What Comes Next

XRP is clearly at a tipping point. Exchange flows, whale behavior, and macro conditions will likely decide the next direction. If accumulation continues and market sentiment stabilizes, upward momentum may build quickly.

However, if technical support fails, a correction could follow before any fresh attempt to recover begins. The coming sessions will determine whether smart money strength overpowers the bearish setup or whether chart structure drives the next downward move.

FAQs

What is XRP’s current price level?

XRP is trading around $1.40, with strong attention on the nearby support range.

Why is the $1.40–$1.44 zone important?

This area acts as neckline support for a bearish chart pattern and could decide the next major move.

What does whale accumulation mean for XRP?

Large investors moving XRP off exchanges often signal long-term holding and reduced selling pressure.

What happens if XRP breaks below its support level?

A confirmed breakdown could trigger a decline of about 16% based on technical projections.

Has regulation improved for Ripple and XRP?

Yes, Ripple reached settlement stages with the U.S. SEC in 2025, reducing major legal uncertainty.

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Disclaimer: Analytics Insight does not provide financial advice or guidance on cryptocurrencies and stocks. Also note that the cryptocurrencies mentioned/listed on the website could potentially be risky, i.e. designed to induce you to invest financial resources that may be lost forever and not be recoverable once investments are made. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. You are responsible for conducting your own research (DYOR) before making any investments. Read more about the financial risks involved here.

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