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XRP Zooms 3% as Bitcoin Spikes on Powell Comments

Institutional liquidations dominated trading as 470 million XRP were offloaded across major exchanges during the Aug. 21–22 window, triggering a sharp selloff.

Aug 22, 2025, 2:19 p.m.
(CoinDesk Data)
(CoinDesk Data)

What to know:

  • A massive selloff of 470 million XRP tokens led to a significant price drop and resistance at $2.92.
  • The SEC's delay in ruling on XRP ETF applications adds to the regulatory uncertainty impacting the market.
  • XRP's security ranking is among the lowest, further contributing to the bearish market sentiment.

XRP Spiked 3% as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell firmly put a September rate cut on the table on Friday, causing bitcoin and major tokens to move higher.

470 million token selloff drove volume spikes and heavy resistance at $2.92, while ETF delays and weak security rankings compound bearish pressure.

News Background

• Institutional liquidations dominated trading as 470 million XRP were offloaded across major exchanges during the Aug. 21–22 window, triggering a sharp selloff.
• On-chain settlement volumes surged 500% to 844 million tokens on Aug. 18, one of the largest spikes this year, signaling adoption growth despite market weakness.
• The SEC postponed rulings on XRP ETF applications, including Nasdaq’s CoinShares filing, now expected in October. The delay adds to regulatory uncertainty.
• A security assessment placed XRPL at the lowest ranking among 15 blockchains, raising concerns about network robustness and adding to bearish sentiment.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW
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Price Action Summary

• XRP declined 3.1% in the 24-hour session from Aug. 21 13:00 to Aug. 22 12:00, falling from $2.89 to $2.80.
• The token ranged $0.12, a 4.25% volatility band, between a $2.92 peak and $2.80 trough.
• The sharpest move occurred at 19:00 on Aug. 21, when XRP was rejected at $2.92 on 69.1M volume, confirming major resistance.
• Final hour trading (Aug. 22 11:24–12:23) saw XRP drop 2.5% from $2.82 to $2.80 on surging volume of 7.2M, confirming bearish continuation.
• Support emerged near $2.80–$2.85, but accumulation interest weakened with each retest.

Technical Indicators

• Resistance hardened at $2.92 on 69.1M volume rejection.
• Support identified at $2.80–$2.85 zone, though weakening on repeated tests.
• Volume spiked to 96M at 11:00 Aug. 22, confirming bearish follow-through.
• Trading range of $0.12 (4.25%) highlights volatility concentration.
• Final hour selloff of 2.5% with 7.2M volume validated bearish continuation.

What Traders Are Watching

• Whether $2.80 can hold as support; a break risks acceleration toward $2.75.
• ETF-related headlines, with October decisions key to broader institutional flows.
• Whale accumulation patterns — on-chain adoption growing, but price failing to reflect fundamentals.
• $2.92–$3.00 resistance zone as breakout trigger for bullish reversal.

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