XRP Price Dips: Can It Rebound After $120M Sell-Off?

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Oct 21, 2025

XRP's price wobbles at $2.40 after a $120M sell-off by Ripple's co-founder. Can ETF buzz and ecosystem growth spark a rebound? Click to find out!

Financial market analysis from 21/10/2025. Market conditions may have changed since publication.

Have you ever watched a crypto chart and felt your stomach twist as prices dipped, wondering if it’s a crash or just a blip? That’s the vibe in the XRP community right now, with prices hovering around $2.40 after a hefty $120 million token sale by a key Ripple figure. It’s the kind of news that makes you pause, sip your coffee, and wonder: is this a red flag, or could it be the setup for a comeback? Let’s unpack what’s happening with XRP, why this sell-off matters, and whether there’s light at the end of this volatile tunnel.

XRP’s Rollercoaster: Navigating the Latest Market Shake-Up

The crypto market is no stranger to drama, and XRP’s recent price action is serving up a fresh dose. Trading at $2.43 as of this writing, XRP has slipped by about 5% over the past week and a steeper 18% in the last month. That’s a far cry from its July peak of $3.85, leaving investors wondering if this is a temporary dip or a sign of deeper trouble. The catalyst? A massive sell-off by one of Ripple’s own, stirring up questions about insider confidence and market stability.

The Big Sell-Off: What Happened?

A prominent Ripple co-founder recently offloaded 50 million XRP tokens, raking in roughly $120 million. This wasn’t just a casual transaction—it was a move that sent ripples (pun intended) through the crypto community. Social media platforms lit up with chatter, with some investors crying foul, tossing around terms like exit liquidity. It’s the kind of thing that makes you raise an eyebrow and wonder what’s going on behind the scenes.

Large insider sales often spark fear, but they don’t always signal doom. Markets absorb these shocks better than you’d think.

– Crypto market analyst

Interestingly, the market didn’t spiral into chaos. Data from on-chain analytics suggests the selling pressure was absorbed without triggering mass panic. That’s a good sign—it shows resilience. But let’s be real: when someone that high up cashes out, it’s hard not to feel a twinge of unease. Is this a one-off, or could more sales follow? For now, the market’s holding its breath.


Price Action: Where Does XRP Stand?

XRP’s price is currently dancing around the $2.40 support level, a critical zone that traders are watching like hawks. Over the past week, the token’s been stuck in a tight range between $2.21 and $2.56, showing signs of consolidation. Trading volume, though, is picking up—spot markets saw $4.12 billion in 24-hour activity, a nearly 20% jump. That’s a clue that both buyers and sellers are stepping back into the ring.

Futures markets are buzzing too. Open interest climbed by almost 3%, and futures volume spiked by 14.5% to nearly $6 billion. This kind of activity suggests traders are positioning themselves, but there’s no clear direction yet. It’s like everyone’s waiting for the next big catalyst to tip the scales.

  • Current Price: $2.43, down 0.1% daily.
  • Weekly Range: $2.21–$2.56, indicating consolidation.
  • Trading Volume: $4.12B in 24 hours, up 19.9%.
  • Futures Activity: Volume at $5.97B, open interest up 2.86%.

This consolidation could be a calm before the storm—either a breakout or a breakdown. If you’re holding XRP, it’s a moment to stay sharp and keep an eye on that $2.40 level.

Technical Analysis: Reading the Charts

Let’s get a bit nerdy for a second and dive into the charts. XRP’s daily chart shows it’s hugging the lower Bollinger Band, a technical indicator that often signals a potential reversal if buyers step in. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) sits at 39.9, which isn’t screaming “oversold” but hints at mild bearish momentum. In plain English? The market’s feeling a bit gloomy, but it’s not in full-blown despair.

The major moving averages—10-day, 50-day, and even the 200-day—are all above the current price, pointing to a broader downtrend. If XRP can hold above $2.40, we might see a push toward $2.60 or even $2.70, where the middle Bollinger Band sits. But if it cracks below $2.10, things could get dicey, with the next support level near $1.80. For the bulls out there, reclaiming $2.70 is the key to eyeing that $3.00–$3.15 resistance zone again.

Key Levels to Watch:
- Support: $2.40, $2.10, $1.80
- Resistance: $2.60, $2.70, $3.00–$3.15

Charts don’t lie, but they don’t tell the whole story either. Let’s zoom out and look at what else is driving XRP’s fate.


ETF Hopes: A Game-Changer on the Horizon?

Here’s where things get interesting. The crypto world is buzzing with talk of a potential XRP spot ETF. Major players like CoinShares, Bitwise, and Grayscale have filings under review, and analysts are giving a 95% chance of approval. If greenlit, this could unleash a flood of institutional money—potentially $5–8 billion in inflows. That’s not pocket change, and it could mirror the kind of price surge Ethereum saw after its ETF launch.

An ETF would make XRP more accessible to traditional investors, boosting demand and, likely, its price. It’s the kind of news that makes you sit up and think, “Maybe I should hold onto those tokens a bit longer.” But approvals aren’t guaranteed, and regulatory hurdles could delay or derail the process. Still, the optimism is palpable, and it’s one reason why some investors aren’t hitting the panic button just yet.

An XRP ETF could be a catalyst for mainstream adoption, opening the door to billions in new capital.

– Financial market strategist

I’ve got to say, the ETF chatter feels like a lifeline for XRP holders right now. It’s a reminder that even in a choppy market, big developments can shift the narrative overnight.

Ripple’s Ecosystem: Building for the Future

Beyond the price drama, Ripple’s ecosystem is quietly making moves that could bolster XRP’s long-term value. For one, a major treasury raise tied to XRP holdings—backed by heavyweights like SBI and Kraken—recently hit the $1 billion mark. That’s a signal that institutional players are doubling down on XRP’s utility.

Then there’s Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, which is closing in on a $1 billion valuation. This isn’t just a side project—it’s expanding XRP’s use cases in institutional finance, from cross-border payments to treasury management. The more real-world applications XRP has, the stronger its foundation becomes. It’s like building a house: a solid base can weather any storm.

  • Treasury Raise: $1B tied to XRP, backed by SBI and Kraken.
  • RLUSD Stablecoin: Nearing $1B, boosting institutional adoption.
  • Use Cases: Growing in payments and treasury solutions.

These developments make me think XRP’s story isn’t just about price swings. There’s real-world traction here, and that’s something to keep in your back pocket when the market gets noisy.


Market Sentiment: Fear or Opportunity?

The crypto market can feel like an emotional rollercoaster, and XRP’s no exception. The recent sell-off sparked a wave of negativity online, with some calling it a sign of insiders bailing out. But here’s the thing: fear often creates opportunities. On-chain data shows that while sentiment took a hit, it hasn’t collapsed into full-blown panic. Historically, these spikes in FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) can mark turning points, especially when retail investors start to capitulate.

Earlier this month, XRP faced another gut punch when global trade concerns and over $130 million in liquidations triggered a sharp drop. Yet, it’s still holding above key support levels. That resilience suggests the market isn’t ready to throw in the towel. Maybe, just maybe, this is one of those moments where the smart money starts accumulating while others are running scared.

When fear peaks, it’s often the best time to look for bargains in the market.

– Veteran crypto trader

In my experience, markets love to test your patience. The trick is to focus on the bigger picture—ETF potential, ecosystem growth—rather than getting caught up in the daily noise.

What’s Next for XRP?

So, where does XRP go from here? It’s a question every investor’s asking. The $2.40 support level is the line in the sand. If it holds, we could see a push toward $2.70 or higher, especially if ETF news delivers a positive surprise. But if it breaks, the next stop could be $1.80, and that’s not a place anyone wants to be.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the scenarios:

ScenarioPrice TargetKey Driver
Bullish$2.70–$3.15ETF approval, ecosystem growth
Neutral$2.21–$2.56Consolidation, no major catalysts
Bearish$1.80Support break, liquidations

The ETF decision is the wild card. A green light could spark a rally, while a rejection might send prices tumbling. Either way, XRP’s growing utility and institutional backing give it a fighting chance to weather the storm.


How to Play It: Strategies for Investors

If you’re holding XRP or thinking about jumping in, it’s time to get strategic. Here are a few approaches to consider, based on where the market’s at:

  1. Hold and Monitor: If you’re already in, keep a close eye on the $2.40 support. A break below could signal a time to reassess.
  2. Dollar-Cost Averaging: Nervous about volatility? Spread your buys over time to reduce risk and catch potential dips.
  3. Wait for Catalysts: If you’re on the sidelines, watch for ETF news or a confirmed breakout above $2.70 before diving in.

Personally, I lean toward patience here. The market’s giving mixed signals, but the ETF buzz and ecosystem growth make a compelling case for sticking around. Just don’t bet the farm—crypto’s always a wild ride.

The Bigger Picture: Why XRP Matters

XRP isn’t just another coin—it’s a project with a clear vision for revolutionizing payments and financial systems. Its partnerships with major institutions and growing stablecoin ecosystem show it’s more than a speculative asset. Even with the recent sell-off, the fundamentals haven’t changed. That’s what keeps me intrigued, even when the price chart looks like a heart monitor.

The crypto market thrives on cycles of fear and greed. Right now, we’re in a fear phase, but history shows these moments often set the stage for big moves. Whether you’re a trader, a hodler, or just crypto-curious, XRP’s story is worth watching. The question is: will you ride the wave or watch from the shore?

XRP’s Core Strengths:
- Institutional adoption: Partnerships with SBI, Kraken, and more.
- Real-world utility: Cross-border payments and treasury solutions.
- ETF potential: Could unlock billions in new investment.

As I wrap this up, I can’t help but feel a mix of caution and excitement. XRP’s at a crossroads, and the next few weeks could be pivotal. Stay sharp, keep learning, and maybe—just maybe—this dip is the setup for something bigger.

Technical analysis is the study of market action, primarily through the use of charts, for the purpose of forecasting future price trends.
— John J. Murphy
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