XRP price came under sudden pressure during the latest trading session, dumping sharply within minutes and catching many traders off guard. The move created debate across X, where several community members pointed to large exchange transfers rather than retail panic as the likely driver behind the drop.
As per posts circulating on X, the decline coincided with a short window of reduced market liquidity. During this period, sizeable XRP transfers were sent to exchange venues almost simultaneously. This pattern, which has appeared during past volatility events, led some analysts to argue that the move reflected structured flow activity rather than organic selling from smaller holders.
XRP Chart Analysis
Short-term price action supports the idea of a liquidity-driven move. On the 5-minute chart, XRP/USD broke below key short-term moving averages after failing to hold above the $1.88 area. Once selling pressure accelerated, price quickly slipped toward the $1.83 zone, where bids began to stabilize the market.
The speed of the move stands out. XRP did not trend lower gradually but instead dropped in a tight sequence of red candles, a structure commonly seen when sell-side liquidity is thin and larger orders hit the book at once. Volume also expanded during the decline, indicating active participation rather than a slow unwind.
🚨 THEY ARE MANIPULATING XRP AGAIN, AND THE FLOWS GIVE IT AWAY
— Chain Cartel (@chaincartel) December 26, 2025
XRP just dumped hard in minutes and people are asking the wrong questions.
This was not panic selling.
This was not retail capitulation.
The answer is not on the chart.
It is in the flows.
Here is what actually… pic.twitter.com/MC0dPspJi6
At the time of writing, the XRP price trades near $1.84, still below the intraday highs but holding above the session low near $1.82. Price remains under the 99-period moving average on the short timeframe, suggesting near-term pressure has not fully cleared.
The X thread that accompanied the move argued that coins sent to exchanges during thin liquidity conditions are typically positioned for execution or inventory management, not long-term holding. In this view, XRP’s price sensitivity makes it vulnerable to short bursts of supply when leverage is positioned unevenly across derivatives markets.
Such activity does not require sustained selling to move price. A brief injection of supply can trigger stop-loss orders and forced liquidations, amplifying downside moves before conditions normalize. Once leverage resets and liquidity improves, price often stabilizes without follow-through selling.
While claims of “manipulation” are difficult to verify, the structure of the move aligns with known behaviors around liquidity gaps and large transfer timing. These dynamics are not unique to XRP and appear across assets with deep derivatives markets and uneven order book depth.
Read also: Why Banks Still Can’t Hold XRP, and What Could Change That
What Comes Next for XRP Price
From a technical perspective, XRP now faces short-term resistance near $1.86–$1.88, where price previously failed. Holding above $1.82 remains important to avoid another liquidity-driven sweep lower. If exchange inflows ease and spot demand returns, consolidation could follow rather than continuation selling.
For now, the move serves as a reminder that price action during low-liquidity periods often reflects flow mechanics more than sentiment. As several traders on X noted, understanding exchange data and timing may offer more clarity than chart patterns alone.
Read also: Holding XRP Got Painful: Treasury Data Shows Heavy Losses
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