Ripple’s XRP faces growing selling pressure even as the company expands its institutional footprint. The token trades near $2.29 after dropping about 9% in a week and roughly 20% so far in the fourth quarter. At the same time, on-chain data shows a sharp rise in profit realization and realized losses.
Glassnode data indicates that XRP’s realized profit volume climbed from about $65 million per day to roughly $220 million during the recent correction. That shift marks a 240% jump in profit taking while the price slipped from $3.09 to $2.30, highlighting investors’ choice to lock in gains rather than wait for a rebound.
In earlier phases of the cycle, large XRP holders realized profits during strong rallies. Profit realization increased when the token reached a new all-time high in July and again when it advanced above $3 in January. Those periods saw traders secure gains while still positioning for further upside.
The current pattern looks different. Investors now distribute holdings while the market trades lower. Rising realized profits during a drawdown suggest many addresses exit profitable positions before the price revisits prior highs. At the same time, realized losses have grown as late buyers sell at a discount.
Ripple reports progress on the institutional side. The firm announced a $500 million funding round, the acquisition of crypto custody provider, Palisade, and a partnership focused on the XRP Ledger with Mastercard. High-profile speakers at the recent Swell conference and work around potential spot XRP exchange-traded funds add to that pipeline.
This activity has not produced sustained upside for the token. XRP price trades below the $2.50–$3.00 region that framed much of the third-quarter rally. Market observers note that corporate developments and token price now move on separate tracks.
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On-chain reports show that whales and long-term holders have reduced exposure since late September. In addition, large wallets moved hundreds of thousands of tokens to exchanges within short periods. This behavior points to a preference for selling into weakness rather than accumulating during pullbacks.
The timing aligns with expectations for potential US-listed spot XRP ETFs. Several issuers updated S-1 filings, raising the prospect of launches once the regulatory review period ends. Some market participants expect a “buy the rumor, sell the news” pattern, with volatility around any approval.
Elevated profit realization, higher realized losses, and continued whale distribution together signal a cautious investor stance. Until on-chain data shows renewed accumulation at current levels, a sustained move back above $3 may remain a difficult scenario for XRP.