- Whale addresses now hold 9.44% of the XRP supply, up from 8.24% in January.
- The FedWatch Tool shows expectations for the federal funds rate to remain at 4.25%–4.5%.
- RSI below 50 signals weakening momentum and the possibility of downward pressure.
Ripple’s XRP token remains steady at $2.14 despite a marked slowdown in trading volume and rising caution across the broader crypto market.
Source: CoinMarketCap
This price consolidation comes as investors await the next US Federal Reserve interest rate decision and keep a close eye on upcoming US-China trade talks.
On-chain data shows large investors continuing to accumulate XRP: wallets holding between 1 million and 10 million tokens have increased their stakes by 1.2% since January.
This accumulation by so-called whales has helped maintain a support floor around $2.10, even as momentum indicators like the RSI point to growing trader uncertainty.
The broader crypto market is also range-bound, with Bitcoin trading between $94,000 and $96,000 ahead of the Fed policy statement and major diplomatic meetings scheduled in Switzerland this weekend.
Fed expected to hold rates at 4.25%–4.5%
According to the CME Group FedWatch Tool, most market participants expect the Federal Open Market Committee to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged.
The current range of 4.25% to 4.5% reflects the central bank’s cautious stance amid ongoing global economic uncertainty, driven in part by trade policy and geopolitical tensions.
A recent weekly report from K33 Research noted the Fed’s conservative approach is partly influenced by tariff uncertainty and broader macroeconomic concerns.
These macro headwinds weigh on risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
Exchange-traded funds have absorbed more than 50,000 BTC since April 21, but Bitcoin has struggled to sustain upward momentum above $97,000, underscoring broader market doubts.
XRP’s muted performance in recent days mirrors this uncertainty, with upward and downward moves locked in a stalemate just above $2.10.
Trade tensions push XRP into consolidation
XRP’s current price action reflects more than domestic economic uncertainty. International trade disputes have intensified after the US imposed new export restrictions on chips bound for China.
Specifically, shipments of NVIDIA’s advanced H20 processors were blocked, prompting China to respond by restricting rare earth exports to the US.
These tit-for-tat measures have disrupted sentiment and sparked market turbulence in April.
In response to escalating trade friction, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has confirmed a planned meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland.
Scheduled for this weekend, the talks are expected to focus on resolving key tariff issues and opening channels for improved bilateral trade.
Market analysts say progress in these discussions could reduce volatility and improve sentiment for risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.
XRP faces resistance at $2.20
XRP continues to trade in a tight range between the 200-day exponential moving average at $1.99 and a dual resistance zone formed by the 50-day and 100-day EMAs around $2.20.
A long-term downtrend from January adds pressure on bullish traders trying to break above the upper resistance zone.
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has slipped below the neutral 50 level, indicating bearish momentum may be strengthening. This shift raises the likelihood of a decline below $2.10.
If the $1.99 support gives way, traders could look to lower levels at $1.80 or even $1.61—the latter being the low recorded on April 7—for signs of a reversal.
Despite these technical hurdles, whale wallets have quietly increased their holdings.
Santiment data shows addresses holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP now control 9.44% of the total supply, up from 8.24% at the start of the year.
This trend could act as a stabilizing force as investors navigate short-term volatility ahead of the Fed decision and international trade negotiations.