XRP Blocked by $1.50 Wall, What's the Next Target for Whales Quietly Absorbing Supply?

▲ Ripple (XRP) ©Go Da-sol

XRP (Ripple) is testing investors' patience by continuing its dull sideways movement, but on-chain data suggests that selling pressure has sharply decreased, indicating it has entered an energy condensation phase for a massive explosion.

According to crypto media outlet Bitcoinist on May 12 (local time), XRP has recently struggled to break the $1.50 resistance, but its internal market structure is changing in a very constructive direction. A CryptoQuant analyst diagnosed, based on order flow data, that the aggressive selling pressure that once dominated the market has noticeably disappeared. Particularly encouraging is that the taker buy-sell ratio, which indicates the ratio of market buy orders to market sell orders, is approaching 1.0, signaling a shift from a seller-dominated market to a balanced state where buyers and sellers are evenly matched.

This state of equilibrium signifies more than mere stagnation. While a sideways market without buying support typically leads to further sharp declines, XRP is firmly holding the $1.35 to $1.45 range. This suggests that someone is continuously absorbing the remaining selling volume in the market. Experts interpret this as a typical accumulation phase where large capital, or whales, are stabilizing the price, coupled with seller capitulation and cautious buyer entry.

A current characteristic of the market is that despite the subsiding selling pressure, strong buying pressure capable of propelling prices upward has not yet emerged. The fear-driven mass selling spikes that shook January and February have disappeared, but at the same time, there's a quiet situation with no FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)-driven chase buying. Analysts explain that this 'trading void' is, in fact, a precursor to explosive price movements, a process of internal energy condensation before its release.

Technical indicators also support downside rigidity. Despite repeated attempts to decline during Q1 2026, the $1.30 to $1.45 support level has not been breached. This indicates that selling pressure has reached a critical point after a significant correction from the 2025 high of $3.00. However, with the 50-day and 100-day moving averages still overhead, a breakout accompanied by trading volume is needed for a full transition to an upward trend.

Ultimately, XRP's future direction is expected to be determined when the taker buy-sell ratio consistently stays above 1.0 for several days and buying volume recovers. If this condition is met, the price is highly likely to surge past $1.50 and into the $1.60 range. Experts, synthesizing current data, added that XRP is far more likely to move sideways or gradually increase rather than experience a further sharp decline, suggesting that the current period could be a very significant accumulation opportunity.

*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for any investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*