Quick Overview
- XRP declined 3.52% to approximately $1.40 amid a broader cryptocurrency market downturn of roughly 2%
- March 27 represents the SEC’s conclusive deadline for deciding on several spot XRP ETF proposals
- Smaller wallets containing fewer than 100 XRP reached an all-time peak of 5.66 million
- Large holder wallets with more than 100,000 XRP stayed unchanged at 32,054, indicating major players aren’t accumulating during the decline
- Futures Open Interest for XRP decreased by over 5% to $2.33 billion, reflecting diminished trading enthusiasm
XRP finds itself under mounting pressure as the calendar counts down to the March 27 SEC spot ETF decision. While smaller investors seem to be accumulating during the price decline, major holder activity has gone dormant and exchange balances continue climbing — a combination that suggests near-term uncertainty.
The overall cryptocurrency market has shed approximately 2% in total market value, currently resting at $2.36 trillion. Bitcoin has remained beneath the $70,000 threshold throughout this period.
XRP experienced a 3.52% decline over the weekend, settling around the $1.40 mark. The digital asset couldn’t maintain its position above the $1.45 resistance threshold, with intensifying sell-side pressure forcing it beneath the $1.40 support boundary.
From a technical analysis perspective, the MACD histogram displays bearish indications. The signal line has moved beneath the MACD line, validating the existing downward momentum in the immediate timeframe.
Critical support exists around the $1.38 level. Should that threshold fail, market observers are monitoring the $1.35 zone as the subsequent support floor. Reclaiming territory above $1.45 would be necessary to alter market sentiment, whereas surpassing $1.50 would create opportunities toward the $1.55 resistance barrier.
March 27: SEC ETF Decision Day
The SEC faces its ultimate deadline on March 27 for a collection of pending XRP spot ETF submissions. Applications awaiting determination include those from Grayscale, 21Shares, Bitwise, Canary Capital, WisdomTree, and Franklin Templeton.
🚨BREAKING: #XRP approaches a decisive regulatory milestone as March 27 marks the SEC’s final ETF deadline.
The decision will mean the difference between the rest of the XRP ETF applications. pic.twitter.com/EBrkgZlJqa
— JackTheRippler ©️ (@RippleXrpie) March 22, 2026
Grayscale aims to transform its $2.1 billion XRP trust into a spot ETF product. Franklin Templeton has put forward a competitive 0.15% fee structure. Bloomberg market analysts currently estimate a 95% probability of at least one approval materializing before year’s conclusion.
U.S.-domiciled spot XRP investment products have already captured $1.44 billion in assets, predominantly from individual investors. Industry projections indicate that institutional capital could total $8 billion following regulatory approvals, with pension fund managers and retirement account administrators anticipated as primary contributors.
ProShares previously introduced a 2x leveraged XRP ETF on NYSE Arca in July 2025. Additionally, in March, the SEC and CFTC published a comprehensive 68-page regulatory blueprint, classifying XRP as a digital commodity along with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Dogecoin.
Blockchain Metrics: Small Holder Growth, Large Holder Stagnation
According to Santiment analytics, wallets containing under 100 XRP have achieved a new record of 5.66 million. Wallets within the 100 to 100,000 XRP range similarly reached a record at 2.01 million. However, wallets controlling more than 100,000 XRP have remained static at 32,054, following a decline observed in early February.
📈 XRP Ledger is continuing to see its network grow. Based on wallet size, here are the amount of addresses under each tier:
🦐🐟 Less Than 100 XRP: 5.66M Wallets
🐡🐬 100 to 100K XRP: 2.01M Wallets
🦈🐳 More Than 100K XRP: 32,054 Wallets pic.twitter.com/QN1AWIhYBJ— Santiment (@santimentfeed) March 21, 2026
This distribution pattern frequently indicates that smaller investors are offering exit opportunities for larger stakeholders.
CryptoQuant metrics reveal that XRP holdings on Binance have climbed to 2.79 billion XRP, up from 2.55 billion recorded in early February. Increasing exchange balances generally suggest elevated selling pressure.
$XRP may be setting up for a rebound as the TD Sequential flashes a buy signal. pic.twitter.com/KfhBofQ2Et
— Ali Charts (@alicharts) March 22, 2026
Cryptocurrency analyst Ali Charts observed on X: “$XRP may be setting up for a rebound as the TD Sequential flashes a buy signal.” This commentary emerged while XRP continued trading beneath the $1.40 level.
CoinGlass statistics place XRP futures Open Interest at $2.33 billion, representing a decrease of more than 5% from the prior day’s $2.47 billion. Open Interest has experienced consistent declines throughout most of 2026, indicating reduced leveraged market participation.
XRP currently shows a year-to-date decline of approximately 25%.
