XRP has dropped 32% year to date in 2026, trading near $1.4 while Bitcoin surged past $80,000 this month. The token failed to follow broader crypto gains, even as altcoins like Ethereum rose. Exchange balance shifts since early 2025 show growing selling pressure.
Divergence From the Rally
Bitcoin's run above $80,000 didn't pull XRP higher. It's stuck near $1.4, a long way from its 2025 high of $3.6. That 32% year-to-date loss stands out when Ethereum and others climbed. The market simply isn't treating XRP like other coins right now.
This divergence happened while crypto markets broadly rallied. XRP's price hasn't budged much since January. The lack of movement looks odd next to Bitcoin's surge. Traders are noticing the gap.
Shifting Exchange Balances
Total XRP exchange balances fell 15.8% since February 2025, dropping 3.04 billion tokens. But the story changes when you look at individual platforms. Binance and Upbit pulled in 6.5 billion and 2.55 billion tokens over that period. That's where the initial inflows piled up.
Recent data flips the script. Upbit and Crypto.com shipped out 6.48 billion and 340.6 million tokens by May 5, 2026. Binance kept adding 2.54 billion tokens during the same window. The contrast between platforms is sharp.
Current Pressure Points
Upbit's massive outflow of 6.48 billion tokens since early May suggests real selling. Crypto.com moved a smaller but still notable 340.6 million tokens out. These outflows happened while the token price stayed flat. That timing isn't great for XRP holders.
Binance's continuing inflows of 2.54 billion tokens create uncertainty. They might signal incoming sell orders. Or maybe new buyers are stepping in quietly. Either way, the exchange balance split shows no clear consensus. The price pressure continues.
Traders are watching Binance's next move closely. If inflows turn to outflows there too, XRP could face steeper drops. For now, the market's split focus keeps selling pressure alive.
