Ripple [XRP] is quietly gathering strength. Whale transactions are surging, and exchange balances are shrinking, hinting at a buildup few are noticing.
Price momentum is starting to stir, and the stage is set for a move that could catch the market off guard. The question isn’t if it will happen, but how fast it will unfold.
XRP rallied sharply from December lows near $1.75 to a $2.40 high in early January 2026. However, it pulled back 12% to $2.118 amid red candles.
Source: TradingView
The $2.30 level served as critical support, aligning with former resistance; the recent high sat at $2.40, while nearby resistances loomed at $2.50–$2.75.
Trend bias remained in an uptrend overall, yet consolidation signals a rollover risk if $2.00 breaks.
Whale accumulation patterns connect directly to surges in large transactions, and exchange outflows drive the rally, suggesting hoarding during dips.
Whales hoard XRP – $2.30 pivot decides fate
According to Santiment data, whale activity for XRP has increased significantly, with an extreme spike over $100,000 to 2,170 on the 5th of January, followed by an even greater spike to 2,802 on the 6th of January; both represent three-month highs.
Coinciding with a strong price response, XRP rallied from approximately $1.80 to a $2.38 peak, resulting in a 30% gain YTD.
However, after that rally, the price was retraced by 3-5% and stabilized near $2.30 through the 8th of January.
Source: Santiment
That stabilization is important since $2.30 currently serves as a significant pivot point. This pivot point also corresponded to the former resistance, now support area, and the 200-period EMA on longer-term charts.
Therefore, if this pivot point is defended, it can create the conditions necessary to build momentum toward the $2.50-$2.75 area.
On the other hand, if the pivot point breaks down, it may prompt a round of profit-taking and drive risk to $2.00 or lower.
Additionally, Santiment provides early warning of potential volatility driven by current whale activity, amplified by tight exchange supply, consistent inflows into ETFs, and an overall trend of institutional rotation.
Bullish omen or false alarm?
According to crypto analyst CW8900, the chart shows a renewed decline in XRP reserves on Upbit, signaling fresh exchange outflows. Historically, this pattern has mattered.
In November 2024, XRP reserves on Upbit dropped sharply by roughly 0.8 billion tokens. At the same time, the price surged from $0.50 to $3.29.
That move reflected a clear supply squeeze. Fewer tokens sat on exchanges, and selling pressure collapsed.
Source: X
Now, a similar setup appears to be forming. Upbit reserves have started falling again, while the price is trending higher toward the $2.30 area.
This relationship reinforces a familiar dynamic. When XRP leaves exchanges, holders signal intent to store, not sell. As a result, demand shocks have a greater impact.
Context strengthens this signal. South Korean traders have historically dominated XRP volume, often accounting for 30-50% of global activity.
During periods of heightened local demand, reserves drain quickly. If this decline continues, price volatility should expand. History suggests upside risk grows when supply tightens under rising demand.
Final Thoughts
- Whales are hoarding XRP, and exchange reserves are falling, creating a supply squeeze.
- If the $2.30 support holds, momentum could push the price toward the $2.50–$2.75 zone.
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