XRP News Today: Whales Sell, Retailers Buy—XRP's Tug-of-War Intensifies

Whale activity in the XRP market has drawn significant attention as large holders continue to divest their positions despite the token's upward price movement. On-chain data from CryptoQuant reveals that whale wallets have been steadily reducing their exposure to XRP, with this trend becoming more pronounced in 2025. Analyst Maartunn highlights that these outflows suggest a distribution pattern, wherein major holders are transferring their positions to retail investors [1]. The selling has occurred consistently, with a brief pause observed during the middle of the year before resuming.

Retail traders, however, remain optimistic. Data from Coinalyze shows a funding rate of 0.0114, with an even higher projected rate of 0.0159. These rates indicate that many traders are willing to pay fees to maintain long positions, anticipating further upward movement. Open interest has also risen to $2.875 billion, signaling increased leverage among traders as they prepare for potential price swings [2]. This dynamic between retail enthusiasm and whale exits may amplify volatility, particularly if inflows from new buyers cannot offset the pressure from large-scale selling.

Technical analysis of XRP’s price movement also reveals a bullish trend. The token closed at a new short-term high, with the XRP/BTC pair leading the charge. Momentum remains with the bulls, and traders are closely monitoring intraday charts for potential scalp opportunities. Support levels are currently seen at $2.94, with a break above $3.13 potentially offering new entry points for traders [3]. These levels are critical as they provide guidance for both short-term strategies and long-term positioning.

The growing retail interest in XRP has also spurred new product offerings. Gemini and Ripple have partnered to launch a credit card that rewards users with cashback in XRP for purchases in specific categories such as fuel, EV charging, and dining. The card offers 4% cashback on eligible purchases and up to 10% in certain categories through select merchants, signaling an effort to deepen XRP's utility and adoption [4].

In terms of broader market developments, XRP's growing traction in futures markets has led to speculation about a potential spot XRP ETF. XRP futures contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) have achieved a record milestone, becoming the fastest contract in the exchange's history to surpass $1 billion in open interest. This achievement has reinforced discussions about the possibility of an XRP ETF, with prediction markets currently assigning an 82% probability of approval by the end of 2025 [5]. While institutional investors remain cautious due to regulatory history and structural limitations, retail demand appears strong, supported by a loyal following and growing market participation.

Despite these bullish indicators, skepticism remains regarding XRP’s long-term value proposition. Critics argue that the token’s original use as a bridge currency has been superseded by more advanced blockchain technologies, and that its utility is limited compared to other protocols. Nevertheless, the growing interest in XRP futures and the possibility of regulatory approval could represent a turning point for the asset. As of the latest data, XRP was trading above $3, with a 4% gain in the past 24 hours and $6.63 billion in daily trading volume, indicating continued market interest [6].

Source:

[1] Big XRP Price Warning: Ripple Whales Are Quietly Exiting (https://www.fastbull.com/news-detail/big-xrp-price-warning-ripple-whales-are-quietly-news_6100_0_2025_3_9471_3/6100_DOGE-USDT)