XRP NEWS:
Data and price action are not yet aligned, derivatives sentiment has turned constructive and accumulation signals are forming, but the bears maintain structural control above current levels.
Whether XRP can convert these on-chain signals into a clear technical breakthrough, or whether macroeconomic headwinds force another rejection to $1.48, is the question that defines the asset’s near-term trajectory.
🐳 According to our on-chain data, XRP Ledger has now reached an all-time high of 332,230 wallets containing at least 10,000 $XRP. This continues a steady growth trend that has been developing since June 2024. The continued increase in the number of XRP Ledger wallets holding at least 10,000 XRP is a… pic.twitter.com/bd68Os2mJR
– Santiment Intelligence (@SantimentData) May 12, 2026
XRP tested the psychological $1.50 level over the weekend and was pushed back, leaving a new rejection point that now anchors the bearish case. This failed attempt continued a pattern familiar to anyone who followed this asset throughout its consolidation phase: on-chain conditions improve, price approaches resistance, and sellers reappear before a daily close can confirm the move.
Earlier analysis from CoinSpeaker flagged the $1.45 to $1.48 range as crucial, noting that on-chain flow data and volume dynamics at that level would determine whether the channel held or broke, a call that remains live.
The broader crypto market is also trading cautiously on Tuesday, with Bitcoin and Ether also subdued due to geopolitical risk. US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s counter-proposal on Middle East negotiations, calling it “totally unacceptable”, while Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei called the terms “reasonable” and “generous”, an impasse that kept the appetite for measured risk on digital assets alive.
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XRP NEWS: Can XRP price break above $1.48 and target the $1.71 moving average?
XRP price is trading above the 50-day EMA at $1.44, a level that has served as a floor during recent pullbacks, but remains capped by a 2-layer resistance cluster between $1.48 and $1.49 where the upper boundary of the descending channel meets the 100-day EMA. A daily close above both would represent a breakout of the channel and a recovery of overhead resistance that has been in place since the late April retracement.
The technical aspects are constructive but not decisive. The RSI on the 4-hour chart sits at 61, reflecting improving momentum without signaling overbought conditions. The MACD remains above the zero line with histogram readings consistent with a bullish momentum phase still intact. Neither indicator flashes in an emergency. The resolution rests entirely on the pricing structure itself.
On-chain data adds a moderately bullish tilt. CoinGlass shows that the OI-weighted funding rate turned positive on Friday, showing 0.0048% on Tuesday. Long positions report short positions, reflecting a real bias towards upward positioning on derivatives.
CryptoQuant corroborates this with the buy-side dominance of the XRP spot markets and the cooling of sell-side pressure, consistent with the accumulation dynamic reasserting itself at this precise resistance zone.
Source: XRPUSD / Tradingview
The disconnect between improving on-chain conditions and price locking at resistance is the signal worth watching. Accumulation below structural resistance, coupled with declining FX flows, has historically preceded breakout moves. The configuration is in place. Confirmation is not.
A daily close above $1.49 on significant volume clears both the channel boundary and the 100-day EMA, exposing the 200-day EMA near $1.71 as the next target, with $1.90 beyond that. Failing to hold $1.41 at the daily close reopens the path to $1.30.
Escalation in the Middle East remains an active variable that could override the technical setup in one direction or the other. The Ripple network update for the second quarter, expected later this month, is the other fundamental item to watch.
The $1.48 to $1.49 cluster fixes everything. Until XRP closes a daily candle above, the case for on-chain upside remains a thesis rather than a trade.
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Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article is intended to provide accurate and current information, but should not be considered financial or investment advice. Because market conditions can change quickly, we encourage you to verify the information for yourself and consult a professional before making any decisions based on this content.
Neil is a professional cryptocurrency content writer with years of experience. He has written for various cryptocurrency websites to report on the latest news and has been hired by all kinds of cryptocurrency projects, to create content that would increase their visibility and attract more potential investors.
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