Is XRP Preparing for Its Next Big Move? Whale Activity Hints at What’s Ahead

In 2025, XRP has become a hot topic in the cryptocurrency world. Its value surged by over 400% in just a year and is now around $2.83. Investors are wondering if this strong rise will continue or if the token might soon lose some value. A big part of this discussion focuses on “whales,” or large investors who own huge amounts of cryptocurrency and can significantly impact market trends.

Whale Accumulation Signals Confidence

On-chain data shows a striking pattern. Wallets holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP have accumulated about 1.43 billion additional tokens since November 2024. This represents a 37.4% increase in their holdings. This buying spree was not random. It coincided with a 12% price jump in mid-January 2025, pushing XRP to levels it had not seen since early 2018.

Other metrics support this trend:

• Whale-to-whale transfers recently reached $1.29 billion.
• Exchange outflows hit $1.05 billion, suggesting that many investors are moving XRP into long-term storage rather than keeping it on exchanges for quick trades.
• 24-hour trading volume swelled to $4.27 billion, a 38% increase week-over-week, showing heightened activity.

XRP currently has a circulating supply of 59.48 billion tokens out of its maximum possible 100 billion. Its market capitalization stands at a robust $168.4 billion, keeping it among the largest digital assets.

Price Levels and Technical Patterns

At the moment, XRP’s price is consolidating around the $2.77–$2.80 support zone, while facing resistance near $2.87. This range is key for traders.

• If XRP holds above $2.77 and breaks resistance, analysts see potential short-term targets between $3.20 and $3.40. This would signal the continuation of the rally.
• However, if XRP falls below $2.77, it could slide to around $2.50, a possible 10% correction.

Some chart watchers also point to the formation of a cup-and-handle pattern, a structure that often signals an upcoming bullish breakout. If confirmed, this could strengthen the case for XRP climbing higher.

Predictions: From Conservative to Optimistic

Longer-term outlooks for XRP vary widely:

• Cautious models expect XRP to dip slightly toward $2.79 in early September before recovering.
• Moderately bullish forecasts see XRP reaching around $5.50 by the end of 2025.
• The most optimistic views suggest prices could even rise as high as $9, especially if an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) gains approval.

Institutional adoption also adds fuel to these predictions. A recent partnership involving VivoPower and Doppler Finance saw $30 million flow into XRP-based treasury products, highlighting how businesses are starting to use XRP for financial operations.

The Role of Regulation and Institutional Interest

One of the biggest turning points for XRP came with the resolution of Ripple’s long-running case with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The closure of the lawsuit provided legal clarity and confirmed that XRP is not considered a security in the U.S. This regulatory win gave investors greater confidence in XRP’s long-term role as a payments-focused digital asset.

Adding to this momentum are speculations around an XRP ETF. Institutions like JPMorgan estimate that such a product could attract between $4 billion and $8 billion in inflows, creating enormous demand for the token.

Risks That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

Despite its strong performance, XRP faces challenges:

• Historical weakness in September: Since 2020, XRP has only ended September in positive territory twice, making this month historically bearish.
• Whale concentration: While whale accumulation shows confidence, it also raises risks. If these large holders decide to sell quickly, it could trigger sharp declines.
• Market volatility: Broader crypto market movements often affect XRP regardless of its own progress.

Experts believe XRP’s current whale-driven accumulation creates a strong foundation for further gains. If ETF approval and institutional inflows materialize, XRP could surge beyond $4 in the short to mid-term. However, the token remains highly sensitive to both technical breakdowns and broader market shifts. A failure to hold above $2.77 could invite corrections of 10–15%, pulling XRP back into the $2.40–$2.50 range.

Final Takeaway

In 2025, XRP has shown strength and regained confidence. Whales, are adding billions of tokens, and there is growing interest from institutions. Clearer regulations have also helped XRP become a serious player in the digital asset world again. The next big move for XRP will depend on whether it can maintain its support levels and benefit from potential ETF approval. If XRP rises above $3.20, it could lead to even bigger gains, but if it falls below its support, there might be short-term losses.

XRP is at an important point in its journey, making the next few months crucial for both traders and long-term investors.