XRP Retreats to $0.90 as Whale Liquidation Activity Intensifies on Major Exchanges

Whale Deposits Signal Caution Despite Recent Rally Dynamics

Large XRP holders are significantly accelerating their activity on major cryptocurrency exchanges, creating bearish pressure even as the token’s price retreats sharply from recent peaks. According to analysis from data platform CryptoQuant, as reported by U.Today, substantial token holders continue transferring holdings to trading venues despite XRP’s dramatic decline from its early 2025 highs. This persistent activity pattern presents a mixed signal for investors, suggesting caution among institutional players even as valuations compress significantly.

The recent trading behavior stands in stark contrast to established historical precedent. From 2017 through late 2024, major holder movements to exchange platforms remained notably subdued, with transfers occurring at minimal levels throughout the entire seven-year span. Brief periods of elevated activity materialized during key market moments, including the bullish environment of early 2021 and around March 2020, but these represented exceptional circumstances rather than normalized patterns.

The Dramatic Reversal of Late 2024

The established pattern reversed decisively beginning in late 2024. As XRP commenced a sustained advance from approximately $0.50 per token, climbing past $2.50 and eventually exceeding $3 during the first quarter of 2025, whale deposit velocity accelerated dramatically. Transfer volumes reached levels exponentially higher than any observed during the preceding seven-year monitoring period. Significantly, this intensified activity did not reverse following the asset’s peak valuation; instead, the trend has continued intensifying throughout 2025 and into 2026, persisting despite substantial price deterioration.

The correlation between rising prices and rising deposits during this period suggested major holders were executing profit-taking strategies at elevated valuations. However, the persistence of elevated deposits after prices declined creates complexity for analysts attempting to determine holder intentions moving forward.

Current Market Positioning and Implications

XRP recently retested support around $0.90, representing a sharp pullback from its year-earlier highs. The token has surrendered substantial market value amid broader cryptocurrency volatility. Continued whale deposits to exchange platforms, despite declining prices, suggest major holders remain uncertain about medium-term recovery potential. Notably, CryptoQuant’s data reveals that deposit volumes remain substantially above the historically low levels observed before the late 2024 rally commenced, indicating that near-term selling pressure may extend further.

For the XRP community, these whale dynamics illustrate the tension between short-term market mechanics and longer-term narratives. While substantial holder deposits create selling pressure, the fact that major holders have not completely liquidated positions may signal residual confidence in recovery potential. Whale deposit patterns remain critical for forecasting XRP’s directional momentum, as sustained institutional activity typically precedes either capitulation lows or strategic entry points.

Source: CryptoQuant, via U.Today. Not financial advice.