XRP traded at $1.39 at press time, down 5.4% in 24 hours, extending the broader crypto market's February pullback. The token has fallen 27% over the past week and is now 62% below its July 2025 all-time high of $3.65.
Short-lived rallies tied to institutional spot interest and ETF developments — roughly a 6% pop — were quickly erased as selling pressure returned. Lower highs and lower lows have defined the structure since the $2.60–$2.80 region. A recent capitulation wick toward $1.30 suggests sellers exhausted at that level, with buyers tentatively stepping in.
Leverage unwinds as open interest contracts across Binance, Bybit, Kraken
A Feb. 26 CryptoQuant report highlighted a steady decline in XRP derivatives positioning over the past 90 days. Open interest fell on Binance, Bybit, and Kraken simultaneously, a pattern that typically signals leverage removal — positions closed, risk trimmed, speculative liquidity exiting. Contraction alone does not guarantee a lower leg; in many cycles, markets need to flush excess leverage before forming a durable base.
On-chain data adds weight. Santiment reported XRP's largest realized loss spike since 2022. The previous time weekly realized losses approached $1.93 billion, the asset rallied more than 100% in the following months. Fear often forces sellers to realize losses, and fewer weak hands left could ease selling pressure. While no immediate bounce is assured, historical turning points frequently coincide with such extremes.
Bollinger Bands tighten, key resistance at $1.50–$1.55
The daily chart remains in a downtrend, but recent price action shows consolidation rather than sharp red candles. Bollinger Bands, which expanded during the selloff, are now contracting. The price hovers near the 20-day moving average at $1.41, indicating a tug-of-war between bulls and bears. The relative strength index has climbed out of oversold territory but stays below 50, meaning momentum has not fully flipped. A break above 50 would favor buyers.
A volatility squeeze is developing. The $1.50–$1.55 area stands as key resistance. A clean daily close above it would invalidate the recent lower high and open room toward $1.65 and potentially $1.80. On the downside, $1.33 is immediate support, with $1.28–$1.30 serving as the structural floor from the latest liquidity sweep.