XRP Struggles With Renewed Volatility
XRP faced another turbulent trading session between August 25–26, slipping 3.2% from $3.01 to $2.91 as institutional liquidation triggered sharp intraday losses. Despite a late-session recovery that brought the token back above $2.90, investors remain divided on whether XRP has enough strength to regain upward momentum.
Institutional Selling Drives the Decline
The steepest slide occurred between 19:00–20:00 GMT, when volumes spiked to more than triple the daily average. During that window, XRP tumbled from $2.96 to $2.84 on more than 217 million in traded volume, well above the 72 million daily norm. The intensity of institutional flows put significant pressure on retail positioning, forcing smaller traders to react to rapid price swings.
Gemini Partners With Ripple for New Credit Card
In a move aimed at boosting XRP’s real-world utility, Gemini announced a new collaboration with Ripple to launch an XRP-powered credit card in partnership with WebBank. The card offers cashback rewards directly in XRP, creating a fresh narrative around adoption. Rewards include up to 4% back on fuel, EV charging, and rideshare, 3% on dining, 2% on groceries, and 1% on all other purchases. Select merchants will also offer up to 10% back on eligible spending, further incentivizing usage.
Regulatory Challenges Still Loom
While the Gemini-Ripple credit card adds a new layer of utility, XRP’s performance continues to be overshadowed by ongoing regulatory uncertainty in the U.S. Ripple’s long battle with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has left many investors cautious, particularly institutional players who remain wary of long-term exposure until a clearer framework emerges. This overhang has contributed to XRP lagging behind broader crypto benchmarks, which posted steadier gains over the same period.
Technical Picture: Support and Resistance Levels
From a technical perspective, XRP confirmed resistance at $2.96 after facing rejection near the upper Bollinger Band. On the downside, support has been identified around $2.84–$2.86, aligning with the 20-day moving average zone. During intraday trading, accumulation was noted around $2.89, while RSI recovered from oversold conditions near 42 back into the mid-50s, signaling stabilizing momentum. Meanwhile, the MACD histogram is narrowing toward a potential bullish crossover, hinting at a short-term trend shift.
What Traders Need to Watch Next
Analysts emphasize that sustained trading above $2.90 is essential for XRP to reestablish bullish momentum. A break above resistance could open the door toward the $3.20–$3.30 range, with bulls targeting $3.70 if volumes normalize. Conversely, if support at $2.84 fails, XRP risks sliding further toward the $2.80 level, which traders have flagged as a critical breakdown point that could accelerate losses.
Institutional Absorption Is Key
The next phase of XRP’s price action will likely depend on whether large institutional players continue absorbing bids around $2.89–$2.90. If institutions maintain strong buying activity at this range, XRP may stabilize and attempt a climb toward higher levels. However, fading institutional support could trigger another round of volatility, leaving retail traders to shoulder the brunt of market swings.
Outlook for XRP Holders
Despite the recent 3% decline, the launch of the Gemini-Ripple credit card has injected a new utility-driven narrative into the market. If XRP can stabilize above $2.90 and gradually build momentum, it could enter September with a stronger technical and fundamental foundation. However, ongoing regulatory battles and institutional positioning will remain the deciding factors for whether XRP can reclaim the $3.20–$3.70 range or face further pressure toward $2.80.
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