Key Highlights
- XRP declined 3.52% to approximately $1.40 amid a broader crypto market downturn of roughly 2%
- March 27 represents the SEC’s conclusive deadline for deciding on several spot XRP ETF proposals
- Small wallets containing fewer than 100 XRP reached an unprecedented peak of 5.66 million
- Large holder wallets with over 100,000 XRP stayed unchanged at 32,054, indicating major investors aren’t accumulating during the pullback
- Open Interest in XRP futures contracted more than 5% to $2.33 billion, reflecting diminished trader enthusiasm
XRP faces downward momentum as the critical March 27 SEC spot ETF decision date draws closer. While smaller investors continue accumulating tokens, major holders show little movement and exchange holdings climb — creating a cautious outlook for immediate price action.
The total cryptocurrency market capitalization has declined approximately 2%, currently standing at $2.36 trillion. Bitcoin remains trapped beneath the $70,000 threshold throughout this period.
Over the weekend, XRP experienced a 3.52% slide, bringing it down to the $1.40 level. The digital asset couldn’t maintain its position above $1.45 resistance, with continued selling forcing it beneath the $1.40 support threshold.
From a technical analysis perspective, the MACD histogram displays bearish momentum. The signal line has moved beneath the MACD line, validating the ongoing short-term downtrend.
Critical support exists around $1.38. Should this level fail to hold, market participants are monitoring the $1.35 zone as the subsequent support target. Reclaiming territory above $1.45 would be essential to alter current sentiment, while breaking through $1.50 could establish a trajectory toward the $1.55 resistance barrier.
Approaching SEC ETF Decision: March 27 Deadline
The SEC’s conclusive decision date of March 27 looms for multiple pending XRP spot ETF submissions. Companies awaiting rulings include 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 seeks authorization to transform its $2.1 billion XRP trust structure into a spot ETF product. Franklin Templeton has indicated a competitive 0.15% management fee. Bloomberg’s industry analysts currently estimate a 95% probability that at least one approval materializes before the calendar year concludes.
United States-based spot XRP investment products have already accumulated $1.44 billion in assets, predominantly from individual investors. Market projections suggest institutional capital could surge to $8 billion following regulatory approvals, with pension systems and retirement portfolios anticipated as primary funding sources.
ProShares introduced a 2x leveraged XRP ETF on NYSE Arca during July 2025. Additionally, in March, the SEC and CFTC published a comprehensive 68-page regulatory structure, classifying XRP as a digital commodity alongside Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and Dogecoin.
Blockchain Metrics: Small Holders Accumulate, Large Wallets Inactive
According to Santiment analytics, addresses containing fewer than 100 XRP have climbed to an all-time high of 5.66 million. Wallets holding between 100 and 100,000 XRP similarly achieved a record at 2.01 million. However, addresses with more than 100,000 XRP remain static at 32,054, maintaining levels seen after a decline 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 smaller investors may be providing liquidity for exiting larger participants.
Data from CryptoQuant reveals XRP holdings on Binance have increased to 2.79 billion XRP, up from 2.55 billion at the beginning of February. Growing exchange balances generally suggest heightened selling pressure.
$XRP may be setting up for a rebound as the TD Sequential flashes a buy signal. pic.twitter.com/KfhBofQ2Et
— Ali Charts (@alicharts) March 22, 2026
Digital asset analyst Ali Charts commented on X: “$XRP may be setting up for a rebound as the TD Sequential flashes a buy signal.” This observation came while XRP continued trading beneath $1.40.
According to CoinGlass metrics, XRP futures Open Interest currently stands at $2.33 billion, representing a decline of over 5% from the previous day’s $2.47 billion. Open Interest has consistently decreased throughout much of 2026, suggesting reduced leveraged participation.
Year-to-date, XRP has fallen approximately 25%.
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