Heavy institutional activity drives 38% volume spike while XRP lags broader crypto rally, signaling hidden sell pressure beneath the surface.
News Background
- XRP gained 0.50% to $2.0925 during Tuesday trading but materially underperformed the broader crypto market by 1.77%. Despite the modest advance, trading volume surged 37.94% above weekly norms, indicating significant institutional participation.
- However, the elevated volume failed to translate into sustainable upward momentum. XRP briefly pierced $2.12 resistance and touched $2.17 before reversing sharply. The move suggests large holders used the liquidity window to unwind positions rather than accumulate.
- The session’s backdrop reflected broader rotation themes: majors like BTC and SOL attracted capital inflows while XRP’s order books showed more aggressive offer-side liquidity deployment, consistent with distribution during rallies.
Technical Analysis
- XRP’s failure to hold above $2.12 confirmed this level as entrenched resistance.
- The pattern of a breakout followed immediately by rejection typically signals distribution, especially when accompanied by heavy volume — 189.7M tokens exchanged hands during the attempt, far exceeding trend norms.
- The structure now reflects a short-term compression between $2.083 and $2.17, forming a wide equilibrium zone where liquidity is being reshuffled between buyers and sellers.
- The higher lows from $2.083 provide some stabilization, but the inability to maintain momentum beyond $2.12 keeps the bias neutral-to-bearish.
- Momentum oscillators show mild bullish divergence from the $2.083 low, yet this is offset by declining volume on recoveries and the overhead supply created by the failed breakout.
- Until XRP demonstrates conviction through $2.17—with volume validation—the technical setup remains range-bound with latent sell pressure.
Price Action Summary
- XRP opened the session with mild strength but quickly slipped to $2.083 before stabilizing. A two-stage recovery carried the token toward $2.17, but strong selling emerged immediately at that level.
- Volume during this push spiked to 184% above the 24-hour SMA, highlighting institutional involvement in the reversal.
- From there, XRP drifted lower into the $2.09–$2.10 band, where it consolidated into the close. The $2.09 level acted as psychological and technical support, absorbing flows but failing to produce meaningful upside follow-through.
- The session ultimately reflected controlled distribution: strong volume on advances, weak continuation afterward, and consistent seller presence above $2.12.
What Traders Should Know
- XRP’s ability to hold $2.09 will dictate short-term direction. A breakdown through this level exposes $2.05 and $2.00 as next support zones.
- Upside recovery requires a clean reclaim of $2.12 and ultimately $2.17 — levels where heavy sell pressure emerged. Without strong volume confirmation, any moves into these zones risk further distribution.
- Institutions appear active but not accumulative. Their participation is more aligned with liquidity harvesting during volatility spikes rather than building directional exposure.
- If broader crypto strength persists, XRP may lag until overhead supply clears. Watch for narrowing ranges and declining volume — early signals of accumulation shifting back in favor of buyers.
Source: https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/12/10/xrp-sell-pressure-emerges-as-ripple-linked-token-fails-to-sustain-usd2-12-break
