XRP ticks higher, but struggles to clear $2 despite exchange-held supply hitting its lowest level in eight years.

XRP traded higher as the amount of tokens held on exchanges slid to its lowest level since 2018, underscoring a tightening supply backdrop even as price action continues to stall beneath a well-defined resistance zone just below $2.

The token climbed to $1.87, but momentum faded near the $1.88–$2.00 band — an area that has repeatedly capped rallies and remains the market’s primary near-term hurdle.

Supply and positioning

Exchange balances have re-emerged as an important signal of market positioning. XRP held on trading venues has fallen to roughly 1.6 billion tokens, down about 57% since October, suggesting a steady migration into longer-term storage and custody rather than immediate sale availability.

This contraction in available supply is unfolding alongside selective positioning across major digital assets. Institutional participants have increasingly favored structured and regulated exposure, while spot markets remain uneven. The result has been a supportive longer-term bid for assets like XRP, paired with fragile short-term price momentum.

For XRP, declining exchange inventories can magnify price moves when demand improves. However, supply tightening alone has not been enough to overcome entrenched technical resistance — particularly around the $2 level, where sellers have consistently reasserted control.

Technical setup

XRP advanced roughly 1.7% from $1.84 to $1.87, forming a series of higher lows while trading within a tight $0.05 range, or about 2.5% intraday volatility. Activity picked up during the advance, with volume reaching about 32 million tokens — roughly 50% above average — indicating the move was supported by improving participation rather than thin liquidity.

Despite the firmer tone, price stalled as it approached $1.88. That level aligns with a broader resistance zone ahead of the psychological $2 handle and has repeatedly rejected upside attempts. Recent failures above $2 have further reinforced the area as a supply zone where sellers remain comfortable leaning against rallies.

Momentum indicators offer mixed signals. Some oscillators point to bullish divergence, with momentum improving even as price remains capped. Still, confirmation requires sustained acceptance above resistance. On the downside, structure remains constructive as long as XRP holds above the $1.82–$1.83 base, with $1.77 standing out as the next notable demand area.

Session highlights

• XRP rose from $1.84 to $1.87, printing higher lows through the session
• Volume expanded into the advance, peaking near 32 million, around 50% above average
• Price stalled near $1.88 resistance, keeping the broader $1.77–$2.00 range intact
• Late-session trade consolidated near $1.873, pointing to equilibrium rather than breakout

Trader takeaways

XRP remains caught between a tightening supply backdrop and a clearly defined resistance ceiling.

• Upside scenario: A sustained move above $1.88 would open scope for a push toward $1.95, with $2.00 serving as the key breakout trigger. A clean reclaim of $2 would likely attract momentum buyers and force sellers defending the zone to reposition.
• Downside risk: Failure to hold the $1.82–$1.83 area shifts focus back to $1.77. A break below that level would expose deeper support, but the near-term battleground remains firmly defined between $1.77 and $1.88.

For now, falling exchange balances keep the longer-term outlook constructive, but the bullish case still hinges on a decisive break above the $1.88–$2.00 resistance zone.