- XRP has 5.66 million retail holders, showing strong accumulation at lower price levels.
- Whale activity turned positive in March, contributing to market stability and a 21% rally.
- Price stalls at $1.60 resistance; broader market conditions will determine the next breakout.
Ripple’s XRP has been attracting renewed attention, particularly from retail investors. Recent data shows retail wallets holding less than 100 XRP have surged to a record 5.66 million addresses. Even mid-sized holders, owning between 100 and 100,000 XRP, hit a new all-time high of 2.01 million wallets. Despite these numbers, XRP has struggled to surpass $1.60, leaving traders asking why strong accumulation has not translated into a sustained breakout.
Retail and Whale Activity Boost Accumulation
The recent surge in retail holders demonstrates growing interest in XRP at lower price levels. Traders have taken advantage of the $1.34 support zone, using it as a re-entry point into the market. Meanwhile, whale behavior has also started to shift. Wallets holding more than 100,000 XRP, which had been net sellers since late 2025, showed renewed accumulation in March.
Although the exposure increase has been modest, the trend indicates whales are pausing selling pressure and gradually buying back into XRP. Supporting this, the 30-day Whale Flow metric turned positive in March for the first time since July 2025. Previously, the metric tracked heavy selling from July through early January.
The recent shift suggests that major XRP holders are now net buyers, helping to reinforce market stability. Combined with retail accumulation, this trend contributed to a 21 percent rally in the first half of March, lifting XRP from $1.30 to $1.60. Even after a small pullback following the Federal Reserve’s rate pause, strong accumulation remains, indicating sustained bullish interest among key participants.
Can Bulls Clear the $1.60 Sell Wall?
XRP faces a critical challenge near $1.60, a well-established sell wall that previously blocked a breakout in February. Traders have used the $1.34 demand zone as a buying opportunity, creating a sideways market structure. If this range continues, buying at support and selling near the $1.60 supply zone makes sense. However, sustained selling below $1.30 could invalidate this outlook, potentially increasing downside risk.
Despite the current price stall, XRP shows healthy fundamentals driven by both retail and institutional participation. Record numbers of small holders, combined with renewed whale activity, provide the coin with a solid base for potential growth. Traders should continue monitoring accumulation trends, key support levels, and broader market sentiment to anticipate whether XRP can mount another rally and breach the $1.60 barrier.
For now, XRP has seen record retail accumulation with 5.66 million small holders and renewed whale buying. Despite this, the token struggles to break the $1.60 resistance. Strong support at $1.34 and positive on-chain metrics suggest potential for another rally, but broader market conditions will determine the next move.
