SKN | XRP Whales Accumulate $724 Million as $1.60 Resistance Comes Into Focus

Key Points:

• XRP whales accumulated more than 470 million tokens over five days, with the holdings valued at approximately $724 million at recent prices.
• Whale accumulation has coincided with continued spot XRP ETF inflows, creating two distinct sources of demand as XRP trades near $1.55.
• The market is now focused on the $1.60 resistance level, while a rejection could bring support levels around $1.53, $1.50 and lower into focus.

Large XRP holders have significantly increased their positions this week, adding more than 470 million XRP worth approximately $724 million over five days. The accumulation has occurred alongside continued inflows into spot XRP ETFs, giving the market two separate demand signals as XRP recovers from its recent lows and approaches a technically important resistance zone.

XRP is trading near $1.55, according to the source data, roughly 28% above the $1.25 area. The combination of whale accumulation and institutional flows has shifted attention toward whether demand can push the token through $1.60 or whether sellers emerge again near that level.

Whale Holdings Rise by More Than 470 Million XRP

On-chain data cited by analyst Ali Martinez shows balances held by large XRP addresses increasing from approximately 12.37 billion to 12.80 billion XRP. The difference represents more than 470 million additional tokens accumulated within five days.

At recent market prices, that accumulation represents roughly $724 million in XRP. Large-holder activity can be an important market signal because substantial changes in whale balances can affect available supply and reveal how major holders are positioning during periods of price recovery.

However, accumulation does not guarantee future price appreciation. Large holders can have different investment horizons and strategies, while on-chain data does not necessarily reveal whether tokens are being accumulated for long-term exposure, liquidity management or other purposes.

ETF Demand Adds a Second Source of Support

The whale accumulation is occurring alongside an extended period of spot XRP ETF inflows. The combination is notable because ETF purchases provide a separate channel of demand from on-chain accumulation.

That distinction matters for XRP’s market structure. Whale activity reflects movements among existing crypto participants, while ETF flows indicate participation through regulated investment vehicles. If both channels continue showing demand, the market could have a broader base of buyers than during a rally driven primarily by speculative trading.

At the same time, investors will need to distinguish between sustained flows and short-term bursts of demand. ETF assets can experience rapid changes when broader risk sentiment or cryptocurrency prices shift.

$1.60 Becomes the Key Technical Test

XRP’s recovery has also developed alongside an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern on the daily chart, according to the source material. Its neckline is positioned near $1.60, making that level an important technical reference for traders.

A sustained move above $1.60 could activate a measured technical target near $2, representing roughly 30% above the current price around $1.55. These targets are technical projections rather than guarantees, and confirmation would depend on actual price and volume behavior.

On the downside, an unsuccessful attempt to clear $1.60 could place initial attention on $1.53 and $1.50. A deeper retracement could bring $1.46 and $1.32 into consideration. Technical analysts are also monitoring an RSI configuration that has preceded stronger advances in the past, although confirmation requires the indicator to reclaim its key moving average.

Demand Must Hold as XRP Approaches Resistance

The next phase of XRP’s market structure will depend on whether whale accumulation and ETF demand remain strong as the token approaches $1.60. A sustained increase in large-holder balances combined with continued institutional inflows would provide evidence that the recent recovery has a broader demand base.

For professional crypto investors, the most important indicators are whale balances, ETF flows, trading volume and XRP’s reaction around $1.60. The current data points to stronger demand, but the market still needs to absorb supply near resistance before the durability of the recovery becomes clearer.