Ripple's XRP remains under heavy selling pressure, with its price hovering near the critical $1.01–$1.04 support zone. After a gradual decline from higher levels, the token is trading around $1.03, and both technical and fundamental factors suggest the bulls may not be able to defend this level for long.
Technical Setup Signals Bearish Continuation
On the daily chart, XRP continues to print lower highs within a descending channel and is trading below all major moving averages—the 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day EMAs. The latest rebound was rejected at $1.14–$1.15, and the price has since slid back to retest the support zone that previously sparked reactions in late June. The 4-hour timeframe shows even weaker conviction: XRP briefly dipped near $1.02 and is now consolidating rather than recovering impulsively. To shift momentum, XRP must reclaim the descending trendline around $1.07 and then the $1.13–$1.15 resistance. A breakdown below $1.01 would likely expose the next demand area at $0.88–$0.93.
Weak Institutional Demand and ETF Flows
Spot XRP ETFs attracted only about $8.15 million in net inflows over the past week—a fraction of the capital flowing into Bitcoin and Ethereum products. This tepid institutional demand offers no catalyst for a sustainable recovery, leaving XRP more vulnerable to broader altcoin weakness.
Regulatory Uncertainty and Unfriendly Historical Pattern
The lack of clear regulation continues to overhang. The CLARITY Act remains without bipartisan support, and until that changes, large institutions are likely to stay cautious. Adding to the caution, historical data shows XRP has closed August in the red during every U.S. midterm election year on record: -5.7% in 2014, -23% in 2018, and -13.7% in 2022, averaging a 14% decline. While past performance does not guarantee future results, it gives traders another reason to hesitate.
For the bulls to regain control, XRP must hold the $1.00 level, reclaim its key moving averages, and see a meaningful pickup in ETF demand. Until then, the technical and fundamental picture remains firmly tilted to the downside.
