XRP Price at Key Support: Permissioned DEX Vote Nears Milestone

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Feb 4, 2026

XRP is clinging to vital support around $1.53 after a steep 56% drop from 2025 highs, even as major network upgrades like the Permissioned DEX vote approach a decisive threshold. Could this compliance-focused feature spark a turnaround for institutional use—or will broader market weakness drag it lower?

Financial market analysis from 04/02/2026. Market conditions may have changed since publication.

It’s one of those moments in crypto where you can’t help but feel the tension. XRP has been sliding hard, down over 56% from its peak last year, and yet here we are watching it cling to a level that technicians have circled for months. The broader market is bleeding—Bitcoin and others aren’t faring much better—but Ripple’s ecosystem keeps churning out developments that make you wonder if the foundation is quietly strengthening under all this pressure. Personally, I’ve seen enough cycles to know that despair often hides opportunity, and right now, that mix of pain and progress feels palpable.

XRP Faces Make-or-Break Technical Levels Amid Network Momentum

The price action tells a clear story: XRP has tumbled into a zone that has held multiple times before. Around $1.54 to $1.55, this isn’t just any random floor—it’s aligned with long-term pivot points and historical reactions. Break below, and things could get ugly fast. Hold, and the door stays open for a meaningful bounce. In my experience watching these charts, levels like this rarely resolve quietly.

Why This Support Zone Matters So Much

Support isn’t magic; it’s where buyers have stepped in repeatedly. Since mid-2025, XRP has tested similar areas and bounced. Right now, the token is sitting right on that line, with the weekly chart showing it below key moving averages. The Supertrend has flipped bearish, and RSI is scraping oversold territory. Not exactly screaming “buy now,” but also not the kind of momentum that keeps going forever without a reaction.

What stands out to me is how resilient this particular level has been historically. Even during heavy selling waves, it has refused to crack for long. If we see a clean hold here—maybe a strong green candle closing above it—the narrative could shift quickly. Traders start covering shorts, dip buyers pile in, and suddenly the path of least resistance flips upward.

  • Key support sits near $1.5463, matching Murrey Math pivot points
  • Multiple tests since last April without decisive breakdown
  • Oversold RSI hints at exhaustion selling
  • Break below opens risk toward $1.00 or lower

Of course, nothing is guaranteed. Crypto loves to fake people out. But when price respects a level this often, ignoring it feels risky.

Broader Market Pain Weighs Heavily

Let’s be honest: XRP isn’t declining in isolation. The entire crypto space is in a rough patch. Fear is high, liquidity is thin, and risk assets are getting hammered. When Bitcoin drops, altcoins usually follow with extra force. That’s just math. XRP has felt that amplified pain, shedding value faster than some peers in recent weeks.

Markets don’t move in straight lines—especially not crypto. What looks like capitulation today can become the base for tomorrow’s rally.

— Seasoned market observer

Still, fundamentals can diverge from price for only so long. If the ecosystem keeps delivering wins, eventually buyers notice. And lately, there have been some notable wins.

Permissioned DEX Vote Approaches Critical Threshold

One of the most intriguing developments right now is the ongoing vote on the Permissioned DEX amendment. It’s close—really close—to hitting the required consensus. Once activated, alongside the recently enabled Permissioned Domains, it opens the door for institutions to build and use compliant decentralized exchanges right on the XRP Ledger.

Why does this matter? Traditional DEXes are open to everyone, which is great for freedom but tricky for banks and big firms bound by KYC and AML rules. A permissioned version lets them participate safely, with verified access and regulatory controls baked in. Think stablecoin swaps, payroll payouts, cross-border B2B transfers—all on a public ledger but with guardrails.

  1. Permissioned Domains already activated, enabling credential-based zones
  2. Permissioned DEX vote nearing activation threshold
  3. Institutions can then launch compliant trading environments
  4. Potential use cases include corporate treasury and fiat-stablecoin handling

In my view, this is one of those upgrades that sounds technical but could quietly transform adoption. Compliance has always been the biggest hurdle for institutions entering DeFi. Solving it natively on XRPL removes a major friction point.

Ripple’s Regulatory Momentum Builds

On top of the ledger upgrades, Ripple itself has been stacking licenses. Recent approvals in the EU, plus existing ones in the US, UK, and Singapore, position the company to strike more deals with financial institutions. These aren’t just pieces of paper—they enable real-world partnerships and product launches.

Pair that with growing activity in real-world asset tokenization on XRPL. The value of tokenized assets has surged dramatically in recent months. When institutions see a compliant, efficient way to move value, they tend to test it. And XRPL’s speed and low costs have always been selling points.

Regulatory clarity doesn’t guarantee success, but it removes excuses. The tools are now in place—adoption is the next test.

I’ve followed this space long enough to know that institutions move slowly. They don’t jump in overnight. But once the infrastructure is ready and compliant, the flow can accelerate. We’re seeing the groundwork being laid.

Potential Scenarios: Bounce or Breakdown?

So where does that leave us? Two main paths seem most likely. First, the bounce scenario. If XRP defends this support convincingly—say, with higher lows and volume picking up—it could target the next resistance around $2.34. That’s a major pivot level, and reclaiming it would signal strength. From there, renewed interest in the ecosystem upgrades could fuel further gains.

The alternative is grim. A clean break below current levels opens the door to $1.00 or even lower. In a prolonged bear market, oversold conditions can stay oversold for longer than anyone expects. We’ve seen it before. Risk management becomes critical here—stops, sizing, patience.

ScenarioPrice TriggerPotential TargetLikelihood Factors
Bullish BounceHold above $1.54 with volume$2.34+Network upgrades, oversold bounce
Bearish BreakdownClose below $1.54$1.00 or lowerContinued market fear, weak momentum

Neither is certain, but the setup is binary. Watch the price action closely—it’s speaking louder than headlines right now.

What Could Catalyze a Turnaround?

Beyond technicals, several things could spark interest. Full activation of Permissioned DEX would be huge news. Imagine institutions announcing pilots or partnerships shortly after. That kind of real-world utility tends to get attention. Also, if tokenization volumes keep climbing, it reinforces XRPL’s relevance.

Macro tailwinds matter too. If the broader crypto market finds a bottom—maybe through improved sentiment or liquidity—the rising tide lifts all boats. XRP has historically participated strongly in altcoin rallies once underway.

  • Successful Permissioned DEX activation
  • Institutional pilots or announcements
  • Continued RWA tokenization growth
  • Broader market recovery signals
  • Positive Ripple partnership news

Of course, the flip side is more pain if none of that materializes soon. Patience is key in these environments.

Longer-Term Perspective on XRP

Zooming out, XRP’s story has always been about utility over hype. Fast, cheap cross-border payments were the original pitch, and while progress has been slower than some hoped, the pieces are falling into place. Regulatory wins, ledger upgrades, growing institutional interest—these aren’t overnight miracles, but they build a stronger base.

I’ve seen tokens go from forgotten to dominant when utility meets timing. Whether XRP gets there remains to be seen, but dismissing it entirely feels premature. The current dip could be the last real chance to accumulate before the next leg up—or a warning sign of deeper trouble. Only time will tell.

For now, the focus is simple: watch that support level like a hawk. Everything else flows from there.


Navigating crypto’s ups and downs isn’t easy, but staying informed and disciplined helps. XRP is at an interesting crossroads—technical weakness meets fundamental progress. How it resolves could set the tone for months ahead. Keep an eye on the charts, the votes, and the news. The next move might surprise us all.

A gold rush is a discovery made by someone who doesn't understand the mining business very well.
— Mark Twain
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