Key Highlights
- XRP experienced a 10.5% decline across three trading sessions while maintaining support above the bull flag breakout zone between $1.40 and $1.45
- Upbit exchange in South Korea reports unprecedented XRP withdrawal volumes, mirroring historical accumulation trends
- Large holder activity metrics reversed to positive territory for the first time since early 2024, indicating potential accumulation behavior
- The Federal Reserve maintained interest rates within the 3.5%–3.75% range during its March 18 meeting, creating headwinds for digital assets
- Wednesday showed flat activity in US-based XRP spot ETF products, while total cumulative inflows remain at $1.21 billion
XRP currently hovers between $1.42 and $1.45 following a swift three-day pullback exceeding 10%. This retracement aligns with widespread weakness across digital asset markets, though multiple blockchain metrics suggest conditions may be forming for an upward reversal.
The recent price action follows last week’s breakout above a bullish continuation pattern. This chart formation develops when an asset consolidates within a downward-sloping channel following a pronounced upward move. Once price breaks above the channel’s upper boundary, traders typically watch for a retest of that resistance-turned-support level — a scenario that appears to be unfolding currently.
Critical support remains anchored in the mid-$1.40 range, aligning precisely with the 20-day exponential moving average. Sustained trading above this threshold would keep the bull flag’s projected objective of $1.70–$1.72 in play, representing approximately 20% upside from present levels.
Korean Exchange Activity Reaches Historic Levels
Blockchain analytics from CryptoQuant reveal substantial XRP withdrawal activity from Upbit, South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, beginning in December 2025. Address cohorts spanning virtually all size categories have been removing XRP from the platform at unprecedented rates. Reduced exchange balances generally correlate with diminished immediate selling activity.
CryptoQuant analyst CW identified comparable withdrawal patterns occurring between 2021 and early 2023, when heightened Korean exchange outflows aligned with an accumulation cycle. This phase preceded XRP’s surge from under $1 to beyond $3 — delivering approximately 500% gains.
As of Thursday, XRP trading pairs denominated in South Korean Won ranked as the fourth-largest market by 24-hour trading volume according to CoinMarketCap data.
Large Holder Metrics Demonstrate Reversal
The 90-day moving average for XRP whale flow metrics has crossed into positive territory for the first time following an extended negative trend throughout most of 2024 and the opening months of 2025. During the negative phase, substantial holders demonstrated consistent selling behavior. The recent flip indicates that heavy distribution activity may be decelerating.
A comparable metric reversal occurred between April and September 2025, when XRP advanced from approximately $2.20 to $3.55.
Regarding broader economic conditions, the Federal Reserve maintained its benchmark interest rate corridor at 3.5%–3.75% during its March 18 policy meeting, pointing to persistent inflationary conditions and geopolitical uncertainty. Market participants interpreted this stance as restrictive. The CMC Crypto Fear and Greed Index registered 29 at publication time, reflecting heightened anxiety among traders.
Institutional engagement remains muted. US-listed XRP spot exchange-traded funds registered zero net capital inflows on Wednesday. Total assets under management currently stand at roughly $1.02 billion, compared against cumulative inflows reaching $1.21 billion.
CoinGlass liquidation tracking reveals concentrated liquidity positioned near $1.35. A move beneath current support levels could activate cascading liquidations within that price zone.
Analyzing the four-hour timeframe, XRP displayed a bearish MACD indicator crossover around the $1.54 resistance threshold. Bulls would need to recapture $1.50 to restore positive momentum dynamics, with $1.55 representing the subsequent target before any potential advance toward $1.60.
