Crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto highlighted a notable trend in XRP trading activity on September 4, sharing a whale order chart that suggests major Coinbase participants continue to target a $33 price for XRP before the end of the year.
Large whale orders and price levels
According to the data presented by Steph Is Crypto, the order book chart displays a high volume of large sell orders for XRP extending from $5 up to $35. The strongest concentration appears between $10 and $30, marked by horizontal red lines on the chart. At the current market price of $1.4655, clusters of large buy orders, depicted as green circles, are also evident.
This alignment indicates that while there is considerable buying demand at the current level, whales have positioned themselves for significant sell-side activity far above the prevailing price. Steph Is Crypto interprets this as an active stance from Coinbase-based whales, reflecting an expectation of further price appreciation.
Coinbase whales are still targeting $33 for XRP this year, as heavy sell orders cluster along that price range.
Technical analysis behind the $33 target
The $33 figure has been cited by a range of market analysts using different analytical frameworks. EGRAG CRYPTO, for example, calculated the target by analyzing XRP’s historical price cycles, noting gains of 1,250% in 2017 and 560% in 2021. According to this approach, the average cycle projection supports a 905% increase from the current market structure, suggesting a potential move to $33.
Another market watcher, Cryptobilbuwoo0, applied a fractal-based model, referencing XRP’s peak near $3.30 in 2018 and projecting a tenfold rally to reach approximately $33. EGRAG CRYPTO’s additional analysis points to a symmetrical triangle breakout on XRP’s long-term chart, with Fibonacci extension targets that converge in the $30 to $33 range.
The convergence of these various analytical methods suggests a technical consensus forming around the $33 benchmark, lending additional weight to the expectations reflected in whale positioning.
Mini dictionary: Fibonacci extension – A technical analysis tool that projects potential future price levels by applying ratios derived from the Fibonacci sequence to prior price movements, commonly used to identify likely support or resistance levels in financial markets.
Market impact of whale activity
Large participants, often referred to as whales, play a central role in dictating liquidity and directional momentum on major exchanges like Coinbase. Their order placement at certain levels not only indicates expectations but also reveals intended points of profit-taking or exit.
With XRP trading at $1.4655, any movement to $33 would represent an approximate increase of 2,150% from present levels. Sistine Research recently stated that XRP could reach between $33 and $50 by 2027, further echoing sentiments seen among institutional-scale traders.
Several different analytical models now align on the $33 technical target, reinforcing the view that major holders are preparing for this possibility.
| Analyst | Methodology | Target ($) |
|---|---|---|
| EGRAG CRYPTO | Historical cycle average & Fibonacci | 30–33 |
| Cryptobilbuwoo0 | Fractal analysis | 33 |
| Sistine Research | Price target timeline | 33–50 |
Coinbase, headquartered in San Francisco, is one of the world’s largest and most liquid digital asset trading platforms, known for its extensive coverage of major cryptocurrencies including XRP. Whale activity on Coinbase often provides insight into broader market sentiment due to the platform’s significant trading volume.
The appearance of substantial whale sell walls near $33 and heavy buy orders closer to the current price indicates that large investors are positioning for considerable volatility in the coming months.
