As the price of XRP stabilized around $1.35, significant withdrawals by large investors from Binance, along with growing inflows into US-based XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs), have become a focal point for the crypto community.
Whale moves and major exchange outflows
According to data published by blockchain analytics firm CryptoQuant on May 22, Binance users withdrew a total of 122 million XRP from the exchange in a single day. This outflow, amounting to approximately $170.8 million, marks the largest one-day withdrawal of XRP since February, when 278 million XRP left the platform amid the token trading at about $1.43.
Analyst Amr Taha notes that the recurrence of such large withdrawals while XRP trades near $1.35 may indicate that many in the market see this price range as attractive for accumulation. On May 22, net XRP positions across all exchanges fell as low as negative $30 million, marking the most negative daily figure since April 9, when the price hit $1.28. That prior negative movement was followed shortly after by a 17% rally in the XRP price.
High-volume withdrawals seen in February and May suggest institutional investors may be viewing the range between $1.35 and $1.43 as a potential accumulation zone.
ETF inflows and supply dynamics
Interest in US-listed spot XRP ETFs is also on the rise. Over the past 16 trading sessions, these funds attracted a total of $116.75 million in new capital. This sustained inflow points to continued appetite among institutional investors for XRP exposure.
The simultaneous increase in withdrawals from exchanges and surging inflows into spot ETFs is leading to a drop in the circulating supply of XRP. In turn, this may restrict selling pressure, as fewer tokens remain immediately available to the market.
| Parameter | May 22, 2026 | February 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Total XRP withdrawn from exchanges | 122 million | 278 million |
| Average price | $1.35 | $1.43 |
| Spot ETF inflows (past 16 days) | $116.75 million | – |
Technical outlook and price expectations
Since early February, XRP has traded within a narrow range, oscillating between $1.30 and $1.50. ChartNerd, a market analyst, highlights $1.30 as a critical support level and warns that a move below this threshold could lead to further declines. Meanwhile, several technical indicators point toward potential volatility ahead.
Bollinger Bands have now contracted to their tightest range since mid-2024. Historically, such squeezes are followed by price movements of 58% to 82% in either direction, implying potential for XRP to reach around $2.33 if the upper band is tested.
Mini glossary: Bollinger Bands are a technical tool that plots lines two standard deviations away from a moving average. Band tightening is usually a sign that high volatility is imminent.
Crypto Patel, another analyst, likens XRP’s prolonged sideways movement to the consolidation phase before a potential rally later in 2024, suggesting a long-term target of $10. At present, XRP trades below $1.3580 and remains under the 100-hour simple moving average. Immediate resistance levels are set at $1.360, $1.3720, and $1.38, while key supports are at $1.330, $1.3280, and $1.30.
Market sentiment and social media trends
Recent data by analytics platform Santiment points to a clear shift toward negative sentiment across social media in relation to XRP. Their analysis found an even split between positive and negative comments, indicating an increasingly cautious or skeptical mood among traders and investors. Historical trends show that such fear and uncertainty sometimes precede price reversals or new upward trends.
The polarization of social media sentiment around XRP in recent days has similarities to previous periods of fear and doubt, which often preceded a price bottom and subsequent rally.
