XRP's price slid more than 8% over the past week, but large holders — so-called whales — used the dip to pile on. They added over 71 million tokens, worth roughly $97.8 million, to their wallets, according to on-chain data. The buying spree comes as technical signals flash warnings of an imminent, sharp move in either direction.
Whale activity during the dip
The accumulation happened as XRP briefly touched the $0.54 mark a week ago, then fell back into a drawdown that brought the price to $1.37. While retail traders might see the decline as a reason to sell, whales appear to treat it as a buying opportunity. Adding 71 million tokens in a single week is a significant vote of confidence from the cohort that often moves markets.
Whale wallets — those holding large amounts of XRP — are closely watched because their trades can signal future price trends. When they buy during a slump, it often suggests they expect a rebound. But the current data doesn't reveal whether these purchases are long-term bets or short-term positioning.
Volatility signals on the charts
Beyond whale activity, a technical indicator is drawing attention. The Bollinger Bands on XRP's three-day chart have squeezed to their tightest level in over a year. That compression typically precedes a violent price expansion. Analyst Ali Martinez, who tracks the token, noted on social media that when volatility compresses this tightly, “a violent price expansion is approaching.”
The Bollinger Bands measure price volatility relative to moving averages. A squeeze means the bands are narrow, indicating low volatility. Historically, such periods have been followed by sharp moves — though the direction is never clear in advance. XRP could swing higher or lower with force.
The price itself has been erratic. After breaching the $0.54 mark about a week ago, the token saw a notable drawdown that brought it back to $1.37. That kind of range — from below a dollar to well above — shows just how jumpy the market is right now.
What the squeeze means for traders
For anyone watching XRP, the next few days could be decisive. The combination of whale accumulation and a Bollinger squeeze suggests big money is betting on a move, and the technical setup is ready to deliver one. Whether that move is up or down, the stakes are high.
No one knows which way the breakout will go. But the pieces are in place: whales bought the dip, volatility is coiled, and the price has already shown it can swing wildly. Traders are bracing for what comes next.
