$XRP Falls 13.5% This Week as Whale Sell-Off and Profit-Taking Shake Market
XRP is under pressure, plunging 13.5% from its recent highs and lagging behind both Bitcoin and Ethereum. The price is now hovering near $3.07, and analysts warn that if the $3 level breaks, it could trigger a deeper slide toward $2.80 or even $2.30.
Massive Whale Transfer Sparks Panic
On July 17, Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen moved $175 million worth of XRP to four wallets. $140 million of that landed on exchanges, according to on-chain investigator ZachXBT.
This transfer came right after XRP touched $3.60, and it was seen as a signal that a major holder might be cashing out, triggering fear across the market and a sharp wave of selling.
93% of XRP in Profit — And That’s a Warning Sign
Fresh data from Glassnode shows that 93.24% of XRP’s supply is in profit, a level historically associated with heavy profit-taking. When too many holders are sitting on gains, the temptation to sell becomes overwhelming — especially if they fear the top is in.
By contrast, only 84.7% of Ethereum’s supply is currently profitable, putting XRP in a more overheated zone.
Price Reverting to Realized Cost Zones
XRP is now drifting back toward the $2.30–$2.80 range, which represents the average cost for short-term holders — those who bought XRP within the past 1–3 months.
When the price spiked to $3.66, these investors were sitting on big gains. But as the decline started, many rushed to secure profits, adding to the sell-off momentum.
Will the $3 Level Hold?
The $3 mark is a major psychological support zone. If XRP fails to hold above it, analysts expect further downside — likely first to $2.80, then potentially to the STH realized floor of $2.30.
While XRP still maintains solid liquidity and trading interest, a combination of whale movements, profit-taking pressure, and capital shifting into Ethereum and Binance Coin makes XRP vulnerable in the short term.
