XRP Whale Sell-Off Sparks Concerns Amid $3 Price Rally
XRP's recent surge past $2.95 has been overshadowed by a massive $6 billion sell-off from major holders, indicating potential turbulence ahead. On-chain data reveals that whale wallets holding between 1 million to 1 billion tokens reduced their collective stash by 20%, marking a clear distribution phase. The 90-day whale FLOW metric has turned sharply negative, a pattern reminiscent of early 2025's downturn. This contrasts starkly with the accumulation period observed in May-June, raising questions about the sustainability of the current rally. As of August 2025, the market watches closely to see if XRP can maintain its upward momentum despite these significant sell-offs.
XRP Whale Sell-Off Casts Shadow Over $3 Price Rally
XRP's surge past $2.95 was met with a $6 billion sell-off by major holders, signaling potential turbulence ahead. Whale wallets holding 1 million to 1 billion tokens reduced their collective stash by 20% in a clear distribution phase, according to on-chain data.
The 90-day whale Flow metric turned sharply negative—a pattern last seen during early 2025's downturn. This contrasts sharply with May-June's accumulation period, when whales absorbed over 5 million XRP during the $2-$2.40 consolidation.
Market analysts note the $3 level remains a critical psychological battleground. For sustained recovery, the network needs consistent whale inflows—a scenario that currently appears distant as large holders continue liquidating positions.
Tug-of-War Near $3: Can XRP Buyers Overpower the Whale Wall?
XRP faces a critical juncture as whale activity and retail accumulation collide NEAR the $3 price level. On-chain data reveals a sharp increase in whale inflows to exchanges, with the 30-day SMA of whale-to-exchange flows hitting 9,298 on August 7—the second-highest spike this year. Historically, such spikes precede price declines, as seen in January when XRP dropped from $3.27 to $1.70.
Retail buyers continue to accumulate, but their efforts may be overshadowed by whale selling pressure. The whale-to-exchange flow metric, which tracks large holders moving tokens to centralized platforms, suggests potential downside if retail demand fails to match the supply. The psychological $3 barrier remains a key battleground for XRP's near-term trajectory.
Ripple Advances Stablecoin Infrastructure with Rail Acquisition as XRP Price Shows Resilience
XRP price demonstrates resilience, reclaiming the $3.00 support level and breaking out of a short-term descending channel amid a broader cryptocurrency market recovery. The asset surged to an intraday high of $3.08 before settling at $3.05, reflecting bullish sentiment.
Ripple's strategic $200 million acquisition of Rail, a stablecoin-powered payments platform, marks a significant step in bolstering its digital asset payments infrastructure. The integration of Rail with Ripple Payments aims to accelerate innovation in stablecoin adoption for global transactions.
Market interest in XRP remains tempered, with futures Open Interest down 34% from July peaks. Meanwhile, a pending WHITE House executive order could catalyze institutional adoption by permitting alternative assets like cryptocurrencies in US 401(k) retirement accounts.
