Despite a modest recovery, the cryptocurrency sector remains constrained by the prevailing bear market. Ripple’s XRP, which was hit hard in the recent correction, faces renewed downside risk and could fall below $1 in the short term, according to a widely followed analyst — a move some see as a strong buying opportunity for long-term investors.
The Hidden Benefit?
At the time of writing, XRP trades around $1.15 (CoinGecko), down roughly 12% since last Monday. X user Ali Martinez said he is closely watching the $0.90 level and suggested that a drop to that area could present “a compelling long-term buying opportunity.”
Reactions to that view were mixed. Some commentators dismissed the idea that XRP would slip under $1, while others revealed they have buy orders as low as $0.50 — a strategy Martinez described as “not a bad idea.”
On-chain activity from large holders, however, raises concern that a deeper sell-off is possible. Over the past week, whale addresses reportedly moved and sold roughly 60 million XRP, a behavior that signals diminishing confidence and could trigger panic among smaller investors, potentially exacerbating downward pressure.
One anonymous whale also opened an approximately $1.5 million short position on XRP. Large leveraged bets like this can reflect strong convictions or insider-informed positioning, though outcomes vary — the bet could prove profitable or become a costly gamble if the market reverses.
Time to Rally?
Not all analysts share the bearish outlook. Some traders are optimistic the worst is behind XRP and expect a decisive rebound soon. X user CRYPTOWZRD noted that the asset closed the previous day with bullish momentum, indicating that a sustained move above $1.15 might lead to further upside.
Others are more aggressive in their targets: Joshua Dalton projected a rally to $3.50 by the end of June, a level many consider unlikely in the immediate term, while investor Zach Humphries disclosed he purchased XRP for the first time in two years.
“The last time I bought XRP it was at $0.50 and scooping it up at $1.09 feels like a very similar opportunity,” he explained.
Institutional demand for XRP remains a notable factor that could support higher prices. Unlike spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, XRP-focused products have drawn considerable capital even amid the market downturn. Continued inflows from large entities such as pension funds and hedge funds would increase buying pressure and could help stabilize or lift the token if broader market conditions improve.