XRP Declines 3% as Bitcoin Weakness Overshadows U.S. ETF Milestone

XRP hovered near $3.00 for most of Monday before a sharp overnight selloff erased support, dragging the token down 3.46% on record trading volume. Over the 24-hour session from September 21, 03:00 to September 22, 02:00, XRP moved between a high of $3.014 and a low of $2.910, reflecting heightened volatility.

The downturn coincided with the launch of the first U.S.-listed XRP ETF, which posted $37.7 million in opening-day volume, marking the largest ETF debut of 2025. However, institutional profit-taking dominated the session, blunting the bullish catalyst.


Market Context

  • ETF Launch: The U.S. XRP ETF set a 2025 record with $37.7 million in day-one volume.
  • Macro Backdrop: Fed policy easing remains a key focus, with markets pricing in likely September rate cuts that historically support crypto assets.
  • Analyst View: Despite ETF optimism, XRP faces resistance near $3.00, suggesting continued consolidation.

Price Action Highlights

  • XRP dropped from $3.01 to $2.91, closing at $2.92.
  • A midnight crash saw prices fall from $2.973 to $2.910, driving 261.22 million in trading volume—roughly four times the daily average.
  • Liquidations totaled $7.93 million, with 90% hitting long positions.
  • XRP briefly rebounded to $2.94 in the final hour before settling back at $2.92, forming a resistance cluster at $2.93–$2.94.

Technical Analysis

  • Trading Range: $0.104, or 3.46% intraday volatility.
  • Resistance: $2.98–$3.00, tested heavily during high-volume rejection.
  • Support: $2.91–$2.92, repeatedly tested after the crash.
  • Consolidation: XRP failed to hold above $2.93, signaling short-term bearish pressure.
  • Volume: 261 million confirms strong institutional selling overnight.

What Traders Are Watching

  • Can XRP reclaim and sustain levels above $3.00, or will resistance cap upside?
  • How secondary ETF flows will influence liquidity following record day-one participation.
  • The Fed’s September rate decision and whether dovish policy will trigger renewed crypto inflows.
  • Exchange reserves remain at 12-month highs, suggesting potential supply pressure despite institutional interest.