XRP's $3 Support Standoff: Bulls Defend as Institutions Fuel Accumulation Push

XRP’s price revisited the $3 support level in early September 2025, yet technical and on-chain data suggest that bullish momentum remains intact. The token surged past $3.00 amid robust institutional inflows and elevated trading volumes, with midday trading sessions recording volumes six times the daily average. This activity, concentrated between $2.96 and $2.99, indicated accumulation by market participants. Analysts at CD Analytics noted that bulls defended the $2.98–$2.99 range during retests, signaling resilience ahead of a potential push toward $3.60 XRP Breakout Fueled by Institutional Flows Targets $3.60 Mark^[1].

Institutional interest was a key driver of the recent rally. On September 10, XRP experienced a volume spike of 116.7 million units during the 12:00–13:00 window, surpassing the 24-hour average of 48.3 million. Futures open interest also rose to $7.94 billion, reflecting heightened derivatives positioning. These metrics underscored growing confidence among institutional players, who viewed discounted levels as entry points. The price advanced 1% within a $0.09 band over 24 hours, closing near $2.99 despite late-session selling pressure XRP Breakout Fueled by Institutional Flows Targets $3.60 Mark^[1].

Technical analysis highlighted a descending triangle pattern, with $3.02 as the immediate resistance level. Breakouts above this threshold could target $3.60, aligning with Fibonacci extension projections. Short-term resistance at $3.02 had previously rejected the token, but the formation of higher lows suggested sustained accumulation. Meanwhile, support at $2.98–$2.99 held firm, reinforcing the likelihood of a bullish continuation. Traders monitored whether XRP could sustain closes above $3.00 to convert resistance into support, a critical threshold for extending gains XRP Breakout Fueled by Institutional Flows Targets $3.60 Mark^[1].

On-chain data further supported the bullish case. Glassnode reported a surge in short-term XRP wallet activity, with the proportion of wallets holding the token for one to three months rising to 9.3% from 5.8%. This indicated retail accumulation during market corrections, as smaller holders added positions amid volatility. Additionally, the Realized Profit/Loss Ratio showed a flattening trend after a July profit-taking phase, suggesting that earlier selling pressure had been absorbed. These indicators pointed to a constructive long-term outlook, despite near-term fluctuations .

Analysts remain divided on short-term risks. A breakdown below $3.00 could trigger a test of $2.80 support, with further declines potentially targeting $2.50. Conversely, a sustained breakout above $3.20 could open the door to $3.60 and beyond. The broader macroeconomic environment, including expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut in September, also influenced flows into large-cap crypto assets. However, XRP’s price action remained largely decoupled from Bitcoin’s consolidation phase, which has limited directional momentum in the altcoin sector .

Looking ahead, the focus remains on institutional adoption and macroeconomic catalysts. Ripple’s expanding utility partnerships and upgrades to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) are expected to bolster long-term demand. While short-term volatility persists, the accumulation patterns and technical resilience suggest that bulls retain control. A decisive move above $3.20 could reignite a multi-month rally, whereas a breakdown below $3.00 would test the strength of the $2.80 support level.