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Ripple (XRP) Bullish Setup Strengthens as Whale Inflows Hit 18-Month Low

Published 22 July 2026
Giuseppe Ciccomascolo
Authors

Key Takeaways

  • XRP whale inflows to Binance fell to 25.3 million tokens, the lowest level since January 2025, indicating fading sell-side pressure.
  • Wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million XRP increased their holdings by 2.8% over five weeks, while smaller holders reduced their exposure.
  • XRP must sustain a breakout above $1.15 and attract stronger spot volume to challenge $1.18 and the larger $1.30 target.

XRP is showing signs of a potentially important structural shift as large holders accumulate tokens while exchange-bound supply falls to its lowest level in 18 months.

Trading around $1.13-$1.14, XRP remains caught between improving onchain conditions and an uncertain macroeconomic environment. A stronger US dollar, elevated Treasury yields, and weak spot-market liquidity continue to limit risk appetite across crypto markets.

Under the surface, however, selling pressure appears to be weakening.

Whale deposits to Binance have fallen sharply, while wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million XRP have expanded their balances.

The combination gives XRP a stronger foundation, although technical resistance and a lingering moving-average “death cross” mean the token has not yet confirmed a sustained bullish reversal.

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XRP Whale Selling Pressure Dries Up

The most encouraging signal comes from the dramatic decline in XRP moving from large wallets to centralized exchanges.

According to CryptoQuant, whale inflows to Binance dropped to 25.3 million XRP, the lowest level since January 2025. During peak distribution periods, large holders transferred as much as 583 million XRP, then worth more than $1.36 billion, to exchanges.

XRP whales inflows
XRP whales’ inflows. | Credit: CryptoQuant

Investors typically deposit tokens on trading platforms when they intend to sell, use them as collateral, or reposition their portfolios.

Falling inflows do not guarantee that prices will rise, but they reduce the amount of immediately available supply that could weigh on the market.

The longer-term trend reinforces the bullish interpretation. XRP’s 90-day moving average for whale inflows has reportedly declined from approximately $460 million in early 2025 to around $69 million.

This suggests that large-scale distribution has progressively lost momentum rather than merely experiencing a one-day decline.

With fewer tokens reaching Binance’s order books, XRP has more room to establish support in the $1.00- $1.13 range.

Yet lower exchange inflows must eventually be offset by stronger demand. Reduced selling can stabilize a market, but buyers still need to return before XRP can produce a sustained breakout.

Large Wallets Accumulate as Retail Exits

While whales appear less willing to send XRP to exchanges, another group of large holders has been expanding its exposure.

Santiment data shows that wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million XRP increased their combined balances by 2.8% over five weeks.

Meanwhile, the smallest wallets, those holding less than 0.01 XRP, reduced their exposure by 5.2%. The divergence suggests that larger investors are absorbing supply while some retail participants exit after an extended period of uncertain price action.

XRP/USDT daily chart
XRP/USDT daily chart. | Credit: TradingView

Such a pattern is often considered constructive because deeper-pocketed holders generally operate with longer investment horizons.

However, accumulation alone does not prove that a rally is imminent. Large wallets may include exchanges, custodians, and other entities whose balances do not represent a straightforward directional bet.

The accumulation trend nevertheless coincides with a more supportive fundamental backdrop.

Institutional interest in XRP-focused investment products, greater clarity regarding Ripple’s regulatory position, and the growing use of the XRP Ledger for tokenization could drive longer-term demand.

Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin may also strengthen activity across the network, although increased XRP Ledger adoption does not automatically translate into equivalent demand for XRP itself.

XRP Must Break the Death Cross

Technical indicators show that XRP’s bullish setup remains incomplete.

The token’s 50-day exponential moving average remains below its 200-day EMA, maintaining a medium-term death cross.

XRP must establish a sustained move above nearby resistance before traders can treat the current recovery as a broader trend reversal.

The first key level is $1.15. A decisive close above that threshold could improve market structure and expose resistance at $1.156 and $1.184.

Analyst Ali Martinez has identified $1.13 as the breakout level, arguing that XRP’s move above it could open the way toward $1.30.

However, the token must hold that former resistance as support for the breakout to remain credible.

Momentum indicators offer cautious encouragement. The relative strength index sits around 54-58, reflecting positive momentum without entering overbought territory.

A breakout on the squeeze momentum indicator also points to expanding volatility.

The missing ingredient is spot volume. Activity on Binance and Upbit remains subdued, suggesting that aggressive buyers have not yet returned in sufficient numbers.

XRP’s falling whale inflows and large-holder accumulation create a stronger safety net, but not an automatic launchpad. A convincing rally toward $1.18 and eventually $1.30 will require sustained trading above $1.15, improving macro conditions, and a meaningful recovery in spot demand.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as, financial advice. We do not make any warranties regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of this information. All investments involve risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results. We recommend consulting a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
Giuseppe Ciccomascolo

Giuseppe Ciccomascolo began his career as an investigative journalist in Italy, where he contributed to both local and national newspapers, focusing on various financial sectors.

Upon relocating to London, he worked as an analyst for Fitch's CapitalStructure and later as a Senior Reporter for Alliance News. In 2017, Giuseppe transitioned to covering cryptocurrency-related news, producing documentaries and articles on Bitcoin and other emerging digital currencies. He also played a pivotal role in establishing the academy for a cryptocurrency exchange website. Crypto remained his primary area of interest throughout his tenure as a writer for ThirdFloor.

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