XRP Battles Bearish Pressure as $2.88 Resistance Holds Firm - Critical Breakout Test Ahead

XRP faces mounting downward pressure as a distinct bearish trend line solidifies near the crucial $2.88 resistance level.

The Struggle for Momentum

Traders watch nervously as XRP tests a critical technical barrier. The $2.88 level has become a formidable wall against upward movement, with the cryptocurrency struggling to gather enough bullish energy for a decisive breakout.

Technical Tug-of-War

Each approach toward the resistance zone meets increased selling pressure. The bearish trend line formation suggests institutional players might be using this level for profit-taking—because nothing says 'strategic positioning' like cashing out when retail gets excited.

Market participants now face a clear binary outcome: either XRP gathers sufficient volume to smash through this technical ceiling or risks sliding back toward lower support levels. The next 48 hours could determine whether this becomes a springboard or another classic crypto 'fakeout' scenario.

What to Know:

• XRP dropped below multiple support levels including $2.920 and $2.90, with bears pushing the token as low as $2.678 before a modest recovery attempt
• Technical indicators signal bearish momentum, with the hourly MACD accelerating in negative territory and RSI falling below the neutral 50 level
• Key resistance now sits at $2.90 where a bearish trend line has formed, while downside risks target $2.780 and potentially $2.715 support levels

Technical Breakdown Signals Continued Weakness

The digital asset's decline mirrors broader cryptocurrency market weakness, with XRP unable to maintain its footing above the psychologically important $3.00 level. Following Bitcoin and Ethereum's retreat, XRP surrendered the $2.920 and $2.90 support zones before extending losses to $2.80.

Bears maintained control throughout the session, driving the token to a session low NEAR $2.678 before buyers emerged. The subsequent recovery attempt managed to clear the 23.6%

Fibonacci retracement level of the decline from $3.138 to $2.678, yet momentum stalled at the $2.90 resistance zone.

Current price action reveals XRP trading below both the $2.90 level and its 100-hourly Simple Moving Average. A bearish trend line has emerged with resistance coinciding at the $2.90 threshold, creating a formidable technical barrier for any recovery attempts.

Resistance Levels Present Significant Hurdles

Upside momentum faces immediate resistance near $2.880, with the primary obstacle positioned at $2.90 alongside the descending trend line. This resistance zone aligns closely with the 50% Fibonacci retracement level from the recent $3.138 to $2.678 decline, amplifying its technical significance.

A decisive break above $2.90 could propel XRP toward $2.950 resistance, with additional gains potentially targeting the $3.00 psychological level.

Bulls WOULD need to overcome the $3.120 resistance to signal a more sustained recovery from current levels.

However, technical indicators suggest limited upside potential in the near term. The hourly MACD continues accelerating in bearish territory while the Relative Strength Index remains below the neutral 50 threshold, indicating selling pressure persists.

Downside Risks Target Lower Support Zones

Failure to reclaim the $2.90 resistance could trigger additional selling pressure toward initial support at $2.780. A breach of this level would expose the more significant $2.715 support zone, representing the next critical defense for buyers.

Extended weakness below $2.715 could accelerate the decline toward $2.650, with the broader $2.60 zone serving as the final major support before potentially triggering additional bearish momentum. Technical analysis suggests these lower levels remain vulnerable should current selling pressure intensify. The cryptocurrency market's current environment reflects broader uncertainty as digital assets struggle to maintain recent gains. XRP's inability to hold above key support levels mirrors challenges facing other major cryptocurrencies amid shifting market sentiment.

Key Terms and Market Context

Fibonacci retracement levels represent technical analysis tools used to identify potential support and resistance zones based on previous price movements. The Simple Moving Average provides a smoothed price trend over a specified timeframe, while the MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence) measures momentum changes. RSI evaluates whether an asset appears overbought or oversold based on recent price action.

Support levels indicate price zones where buying interest historically emerges, while resistance represents areas where selling pressure typically increases. Technical trend lines connect significant price points to identify potential future price direction and key breakout levels.

Market Outlook Remains Uncertain

XRP's technical position suggests continued vulnerability as the cryptocurrency tests critical support levels below $2.90. The combination of bearish momentum indicators and established resistance zones presents challenges for any near-term recovery attempts, with downside risks extending toward the $2.60 area should current selling pressure persist.