As the broader cryptocurrency market enters a more optimistic phase, XRP is once again back in the spotlight. Once considered a sleeping giant, Ripple’s native token is showing remarkable strength — not just in price, but in market confidence, institutional interest, and speculative momentum. Currently trading flat around $2.60, XRP has managed to hold its gains after a strong rebound from the April lows of $1.61, and now the bulls have locked their target on the psychological resistance of $3.00.
So what’s driving this renewed interest? Let’s break down the surge, investor sentiment, and whale activity that could define XRP's journey in the coming weeks.
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XRP Futures Open Interest Soars: Over $1 Billion Added in a Week
One of the strongest indicators of renewed market speculation is the sudden surge in XRP futures Open Interest (OI). According to data from Glassnode, XRP’s OI skyrocketed by 41.6% in a single week, climbing by over $1 billion. This growth in leveraged positions shows that traders are betting big on XRP's next move — most of them likely betting long.
To put it in perspective, Open Interest had been fluctuating since February, hitting $3.2 billion in late February before declining to $2.2 billion by mid-March. After some sideways movement throughout April, XRP’s OI surged again, reaching a new three-month high of $3.42 billion — a level not seen since the first quarter.
This rising OI reflects a growing appetite for risk, particularly among high-volume traders and speculative investors who are willing to ride the wave as XRP eyes the $3.00 mark.
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Whales Accumulate: Large Holders Boost Confidence
Another key development comes from on-chain metrics, particularly the Supply Distribution data by Santiment. Wallets holding between 10 million and 100 million XRP have steadily increased their holdings. This group, often referred to as mid-tier whales, now controls 12.22% of the circulating supply, up from 10.76% on March 17.
The narrative becomes even more compelling when we consider the behavior of mega-whales — wallets with over 1 billion XRP. These institutional-sized investors had partially exited their positions when XRP hit $2.36 in April, likely securing profits. However, recent data reveals they are back in the game, increasing their holdings to 39.13% of the total supply, up from 37.53% just two weeks ago.
This reinvestment by the largest holders is seen as a vote of confidence in XRP's long-term potential, particularly with the backdrop of regulatory clarity improving around Ripple’s ongoing legal journey with the SEC.
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XRP’s Price Action: A Positive Trajectory Amid Market Optimism
XRP has been on a resilient climb in 2025, despite headwinds such as U.S. tariffs and temporary market corrections. The token’s rebound from $1.61 to $2.60 is impressive, not just in terms of price percentage, but also in how steadily it has been achieved.
Unlike meme coins or sudden pump-and-dump scenarios, XRP’s price movement is being supported by solid fundamentals, increasing futures activity, and long-term investor support. The relative stability seen in XRP’s flat performance this week indicates healthy consolidation, often a precursor to a bigger breakout — potentially toward the $3.00 target.
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What’s Behind the $3.00 Target?
The $3.00 level is not just a psychological number — it's a historic resistance. The last time XRP crossed the $3.00 mark was in January 2018, during the peak of the previous bull cycle. Breaking this level would not only mark a technical milestone but also send a strong signal to the market that XRP is back as a serious contender among top altcoins.
Several catalysts could support this breakout:
Increasing institutional exposure to XRP.
Potential resolution of Ripple's legal battles.
Wider adoption of RippleNet and ODL (On-Demand Liquidity) services across financial institutions.
Continued capital inflow as part of the broader crypto bull market.
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Risks and Considerations: Not All Smooth Sailing
While the sentiment is overwhelmingly bullish, traders and investors should remain aware of the risks. High Open Interest, while positive, also increases the risk of volatile liquidations, especially if the market takes a sudden turn. Leveraged positions are a double-edged sword — they amplify gains, but they also amplify losses.
Additionally, if XRP fails to break above $2.80–$2.90, we could see a temporary retracement as traders take profits. Consolidation around this zone would still be healthy, but failure to maintain upward momentum might delay the $3.00 breakout.
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Final Thoughts: XRP Bulls Are in Control — For Now
XRP’s rise is more than just hype. It’s supported by data, sentiment, and accumulation from powerful market players. The futures market is booming, whales are returning, and retail traders are growing more optimistic.
Whether XRP reaches $3.00 in a matter of days or takes a few weeks to build the momentum, one thing is clear — the bulls are holding the reins, and the eyes of the crypto world are fixed on XRP’s next move.
As always, investors should approach the market with careful risk management, but the current trend leaves little doubt: XRP is on the move — and $3.00 is in sight.