XRP Price Faces Pressure as Leverage Cools and Sellers Stay Active

• XRP stays below key bands as lower highs persist, keeping short-term control with sellers
• Failure to reclaim $1.62–$1.67 frames rallies as corrective within a broader downtrend
• Falling open interest and spot outflows signal leverage unwinds, not renewed demand

XRP remains under pressure as traders assess whether recent price action signals stability or further downside risk. On the 4-hour chart, XRP/USD continues to trade within a defined short-term downtrend. Price action stays capped below key volatility bands and short-term averages. 

Consequently, market structure still favors sellers rather than signaling a trend shift. Although buyers attempted a rebound from recent lows, the move lacked follow-through and failed to alter the broader sequence of lower highs.

Short-Term Structure Keeps Bears in Control

Technically, XRP continues to respect a descending price structure. The asset trades below the Keltner Channel midpoint, reinforcing bearish momentum. 

Additionally, each recovery attempt has stalled near prior breakdown zones. Hence, traders view recent upside moves as corrective bounces instead of reversals. 

Immediate support sits between $1.5750 and $1.5600. A decisive break below this range could open the door toward the $1.5260 demand area. Significantly, $1.5010 stands as a major downside threshold. A loss of that level could trigger faster selling pressure.

On the upside, resistance remains layered and well defended. The $1.6217 to $1.6660 zone aligns with volatility resistance and prior consolidation. Moreover, sellers previously rejected price near $1.6758, making it a key level to watch. 

Bulls would need to reclaim $1.7170 to show short-term strength. Beyond that, $1.8500 represents a broader trend inflection point.

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Momentum indicators continue to reflect strong downside control. The Directional Movement Index shows an elevated ADX, pointing to a well-established trend. However, the negative directional line remains dominant. 

Hence, bearish momentum still outweighs bullish attempts. Volatility also expands to the downside, which often accompanies continuation phases. As a result, traders remain cautious about chasing short-lived rebounds.

Derivatives and Spot Flows Reflect Cooling Sentiment

Derivatives data adds context to the technical picture. XRP open interest experienced a sharp expansion during late 2025 as leveraged positions surged. However, that buildup reversed steadily as price momentum faded. 

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By early February 2026, open interest dropped near $2.6 billion. This decline suggests traders reduced leverage rather than building new exposure. Consequently, the market appears to be resetting after excess speculation.

Spot flow data further supports a cautious outlook. Persistent net outflows dominate recent activity, indicating steady distribution. Although brief inflow spikes appear, they fade quickly. Moreover, larger outflows often align with sharp price declines. Hence, sellers still control market flows.

Technical Outlook for XRP Price

Key levels remain clearly defined as XRP trades within a fragile short-term structure. 

On the upside, $1.6220, $1.6660, and $1.6760 act as immediate hurdles, where selling pressure has repeatedly emerged. A sustained breakout above this cluster could open the door toward $1.7170, followed by the $1.8500 region, which marks a broader trend inflection zone. 

On the downside, $1.5750–$1.5600 remains the first support area to watch. A failure there exposes $1.5260, with $1.5010 standing as a major downside level.

The technical setup suggests XRP is consolidating within a bearish structure, marked by lower highs and capped rebounds. Volatility compression inside this range increases the probability of an expansion move. 

Will XRP Go Up? 

XRP’s near-term direction hinges on whether buyers can defend $1.5600 and force a reclaim above $1.7170. Stronger inflows and improving momentum could support a relief rally toward higher resistance zones. 

However, continued weakness below $1.6750 keeps downside risks elevated. For now, XRP remains at a pivotal zone, where conviction and follow-through will define the next leg.

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