XRP News Today: XRP Dips Below $3.00 Amid Options Expiry and Tariff Uncertainty

A prominent trader and long-term XRP advocate, known as Crypto Bitlord, has voiced concerns over the sharp price drop in XRP on August 1, 2025, calling it "forced" rather than a natural market decline. In a post on X, Bitlord rejected explanations tied to standard market dynamics or fundamental shifts in Ripple’s operations, suggesting instead that the downward movement might be the result of orchestrated manipulation [1]. Despite the volatility, he maintained his bullish stance, viewing the dip as an opportunity to accumulate more XRP, with the belief that crypto remains the ultimate long-term investment.

His comments drew attention from other market participants. An X user named Unique_Sps highlighted potential macroeconomic and derivatives-related factors contributing to the decline. These included the expiry of Bitcoin and Ethereum options contracts with a combined notional value exceeding $7.2 billion, which often trigger increased volatility as market participants rebalance positions [1]. Additionally, the user pointed to newly announced tariffs on Canadian goods by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration as a catalyst for broader market uncertainty. This, combined with the high-leverage expiry, may have triggered widespread sell-offs across digital assets, including XRP.

Data from crypto analytics platforms confirmed the liquidation of numerous long positions during the same period. XRP fell below the $3.00 level amid a broader market downturn, with Bitcoin and Ethereum also recording losses. Analysts noted that XRP tends to react more intensely to market corrections compared to major cryptocurrencies, amplifying both gains and losses. While the alleged manipulation suggested by Bitlord remains unverified, the combination of leverage-driven liquidations and macroeconomic events offers a plausible explanation for the magnitude of the price movement [1].

Despite the sharp decline, Bitlord remains steadfast in his belief in the long-term value of XRP and the broader cryptocurrency market. His declaration that “we’re never selling” reflects the sentiment of a vocal segment of the crypto community that remains unfazed by short-term volatility. As the market digests the impact of derivatives expiries and geopolitical developments, XRP investors are closely monitoring whether the price can stabilize around the $2.90 to $3.00 support range or face further downward pressure [1].

Market observers also noted a surge in trading volume during the dip, a common pattern during high-volatility episodes. However, investor sentiment remains cautiously optimistic, with many waiting for clearer signals of recovery. The ongoing regulatory and market dynamics around XRP continue to shape its trajectory, and the debate over whether the dip was driven by external forces or typical market mechanics shows no signs of abating.

Source: [1] Legendary Trader and XRP Proponent: This Is Not a Natural Dip. It Looks Forced (https://timestabloid.com/legendary-trader-and-xrp-proponent-this-is-not-a-natural-dip-it-looks-forced/)