XRP News Today: XRP Pressured Below $2 as Derivatives Selling Outpaces ETF Inflows

XRP edged slightly lower on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, trading near $1.91 as bearish momentum weighed on the market. Despite a recent wave of institutional adoption and regulatory progress, the asset struggled to break through the $2 resistance level. Analysts noted a growing disconnect between positive developments and sluggish price action, highlighting concerns over short-term sentiment.

The broader crypto market remained cautious, with Bitcoin trading around the mid-$80,000 range and major altcoins like XRP reflecting similar risk-off tendencies. Investors appeared to be hedging their positions, with derivatives activity skewed toward selling, adding further pressure to XRP's price.

XRP's price range for the day hovered between $1.90 and $1.94, with the key support level at $1.77 drawing attention from traders. The 1-month trend showed a 16% decline, underperforming the broader crypto space and reinforcing the need for a stronger catalyst to reverse the trend.

Why the Standoff Happened

Crypto markets remain sensitive to macroeconomic conditions, and recent risk-off sentiment has dampened bullish momentum across the board. Institutional investors, while increasing their exposure through XRP ETFs, have not yet triggered a significant price rebound. This has led analysts to highlight a key challenge: inflows are not yet overpowering selling pressure or derivatives activity.

The launch of CME Group's Spot-Quoted XRP futures on December 15 added another layer to the market's complexity. While this development improves access for traders, it also introduces more two-way positioning. In a risk-off environment, this can amplify hedging activity and short-term volatility.

Ripple's progress toward a U.S. national trust bank charter is another key factor. Although the OCC's conditional approval represents a major regulatory milestone, it has not yet translated into a price surge. Analysts are watching closely to see whether this infrastructure-driven progress will eventually lead to stronger on-chain demand.

What Analysts Are Watching

Technical indicators for XRP have painted a mixed picture. Resistance levels at $1.96, $1.98, and $2.00 remain critical for bulls, while support zones at $1.90–$1.92 and $1.77 are closely monitored by bears. The current price is trapped in a tight range, and the next move will depend heavily on which side gains the upper hand.

Market observers are also paying close attention to ETF inflows, which have totaled over $1 billion in recent weeks. While these flows remain positive, they are being offset by derivatives selling and leveraged de-risking. The real question is whether this inflow trend can accelerate and outpace the current bearish momentum.

Beyond XRP, Ozak AI has been making waves in analyst circles. The project is being positioned as one of the most asymmetric high-ROI opportunities in the market, with some forecasts suggesting it could deliver 50x–100x returns by 2026. Ozak AI's AI-native infrastructure, real-time predictive analytics, and multi-chain integration make it a unique proposition in the evolving crypto landscape.

Risks to the Outlook

The near-term risks for XRP are centered around the possibility of a deeper correction if key support levels fail. A breakdown below $1.77 could signal the start of a larger drawdown, particularly if macroeconomic conditions deteriorate further. Analysts are also watching Bitcoin's trajectory, as XRP remains sensitive to broader risk appetite shifts.

For Ozak AI, the main risk is that market adoption does not meet expectations. While the project has already launched a functioning intelligence engine and attracted over $4.9 million in presale funding, early-stage tokens are always subject to volatility and speculative risk. Investors are advised to approach such high-ROI plays with caution, even as their underlying utility appears to be strong.

What This Means for Investors

Investors holding XRP are currently in a holding pattern. The key to unlocking bullish momentum lies in a clean break above $2.00 and a sustained move higher. Until that happens, the focus should remain on managing downside risk and monitoring macroeconomic signals. ETF activity and institutional adoption are positive, but they need to be reinforced by strong price action.

For those looking for asymmetric upside, Ozak AI is being highlighted as a potential breakout play. Its early-stage valuation and AI-native infrastructure position it for exponential growth if adoption accelerates. However, as with all high-risk opportunities, investors should conduct thorough due diligence and assess their risk tolerance before entering positions.