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XRP Whales Have Not Been This Loaded Since 2018 — Here’s Why $1.70 Could Be the Next Domino to Fall

Published 15 May 2026
Victor Olanrewaju
Authors

Key Takeaways

  • XRP whales now hold 68.5% of the total supply, potentially setting the stage for a breakout.
  • On-chain data shows XRP trading above its $1.40 realized price, signaling a mid-stage recovery.
  • A breakout above the $1.60 resistance could push XRP toward $$2.37, while holding support.

May 2018 feels like a different era for XRP, because it was.

The market was different, the regulatory picture was unrecognizable, contrary to today’s CLARITY Act, and the price was somewhere most holders today would struggle to map accurately.

At the time of writing, XRP’s price is hovering around $1.50. This represents a 6.1% increase over the past seven days.

However, the altcoin appears poised for a notable breakout soon. Here is why.

XRP Whales Are in Control

Wallets holding at least 10 million XRP have quietly amassed 45.83 billion tokens.

As of this writing, the combined balance is $68.5 billion, representing 68.5% of the coin’s total supply.

Large whale wallets play a major role in shaping liquidity across the crypto market.

When whales steadily accumulate and remove large quantities of coins from active circulation, the liquid exchange supply tightens significantly.

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Historically, this amplifies upside volatility if fresh demand enters the market.

In XRP’s case, the concentration of supply among large holders has now reached levels not seen since seven years ago.

Historically, periods of heavy whale accumulation have frequently preceded strong directional price moves for XRP.

XRP whales accumulation rises
XRP Whale Wallets | Credit: Santiment

So, if buying pressure increases at this point, it is likely for XRP whales to play a pivotal role in driving the price higher.

On-Chain Data Flashes Bullish Signal

Meanwhile, on-chain data from Glassnode shows that XRP has once again climbed above its realized price of $1.40.

This is important because realized price acts as a major support level during bull markets and represents the average on-chain cost basis of holders.

Historically, when XRP trades above the realized price, the market value rises.

Right now, the relatively small gap between price and realized price suggests XRP is not excessively overvalued.

This is usually a sign of improving long-term conviction and stronger market structure, with the $1.70 resistance as key.

From a cycle perspective, XRP’s price still appears to be in the mid-stage of recovery rather than a euphoric top.

XRP on-chain analysis 2026 bullish
XRP Realized Price | Credit: Glassnode

So, as long as XRP’s price continues holding above the realized price near $1.40, the broader bullish trend remains intact.

XRP Price Prediction: Higher Highs

From a technical perspective, XRP is currently attempting to stabilize after a prolonged correction from the local top near $3.65.

Notably, the descending channel that has controlled price action for months now appears to be breaking down.

This is because XRP’s price has reclaimed the $1.08 support level.

Furthermore, the recent breakout from the falling wedge structure is an important technical shift.

Historically, falling wedges signal trend reversals, especially after extended downtrends.

Interestingly, momentum indicators are also improving. RSI has broken its downtrend and is curling upward from oversold territory, while the Awesome Oscillator shows weakening bearish momentum, with green histogram bars appearing.

This suggests that selling pressure is fading and that buyers are slowly regaining control.

XRP price analysis
XRP/USD Weekly Chart | Credit: TradingView

The key level to watch now is the $1.57 resistance zone. A successful breakout above this area could open the path toward the 0.5 Fibonacci level near $1.97, followed by stronger resistance around $2.37.

On the downside, holding above the $1.08 support remains critical to maintaining the bullish recovery structure.

What Could Happen Next for XRP?

If XRP whales continue accumulating at the current pace and successfully reclaim the $1.60 resistance, it could experience a quick surge toward $2.

The combination of tightening liquid supply, rising whale concentration, and improving technical structure is beginning to create conditions that many traders view as structurally bullish.

While volatility remains elevated across the broader crypto market, XRP’s current on-chain setup suggests large holders may already be positioning for a significantly larger move ahead.

For now, the market’s attention remains fixed on whether Ripple bulls can finally knock down the critical $1.60 resistance.

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.
Victor Olanrewaju

Victor Olanrewaju is a crypto analyst and reporter at CCN with deep roots in on-chain research and technical analysis. His crypto journey began in 2017, but it was the 2020 Uniswap airdrop that sparked a full-time pivot into the space.

With a foundation in copywriting, Victor honed his craft creating high-converting content for leading crypto brokers — most notably an XRP price prediction that ranked #1 on Google during the 2021 bull run.

He later joined AMBCrypto in 2022, where he combined storytelling with technical and on-chain analysis to cover key market narratives.

In 2024, he expanded his expertise at BeInCrypto, collaborating with analysts and using tools like Glassnode, Santiment, and IntoTheBlock to break down Bitcoin and altcoin trends.

At CCN, Victor covers the top cryptocurrencies, memecoins, macro shifts, blending real-time insights with deep-dive metrics.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from the University of Ibadan, equipping him to simplify complex data for a wide audience. Follow his work or connect on LinkedIn or X.

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