Large holders of XRP are keeping a bullish posture despite the token trading at a steep 43% discount to its 200-day moving average. Data shows whales maintain a 3:1 long positioning ratio, a signal that the biggest players aren't backing away even as prices lag.
Whale Activity Signals Confidence
The long-to-short imbalance among XRP whales suggests institutional or high-net-worth traders expect a rebound. A 3:1 ratio means for every short position, there are three long bets. That kind of conviction doesn't appear often when an asset is trading well below its long-term trend line. The current discount from the 200-day moving average is the widest in months, yet the whales are adding rather than reducing exposure.
Price Targets and Resistance Levels
Analysts have set a price target range of $2.45 to $3.00 by the second quarter of 2026. That's a sizable climb from current levels. But first, XRP faces a near-term test: there's a 70% probability it will retest the $1.42 resistance level. If that holds, the token could find a floor and begin moving higher. If it breaks below, the bullish case weakens. The $1.42 mark has been a pivot point in the past, and traders will be watching closely.
Smart Money Accumulation
Beyond the whales, so-called smart money is also accumulating XRP, according to market watchers. The pattern — large holders building positions while retail sentiment remains cautious — often precedes a significant price move. Whether that move is up or down depends on whether the $1.42 level holds. If it does, the path toward the analysts' $2.45 to $3.00 target becomes more plausible. If not, the discount could widen further before any recovery.
The next few weeks will tell. All eyes are on the $1.42 resistance line and whether the whales' conviction pays off.
