XRP Faces ETF Delays and Whale Selloffs

XRP has recently been the center of attention in the crypto space, particularly due to increased whale activity and a delay in regulatory decisions connected to potential ETFs. These developments have contributed to XRP’s slower momentum in comparison to assets like bitcoin and other rising altcoins.

The past week has seen XRP trading around $2.43, reflecting only a modest 1% gain. In contrast, bitcoin marked a 7% increase over the same period. A key contributing factor to XRP’s underperformance is the recent offloading of over 60 million tokens by major holders—valued at approximately $145 million across just three days.

These large-scale disposals by institutional holders, also known as whales, hint at waning confidence in short-term growth prospects. Moves by such influential investors often sway market sentiment, and their decisions can prompt smaller traders to follow suit, further increasing selling pressure. Interestingly, back in April, the same category of investors showed substantial confidence as they accumulated more than 900 million XRP tokens.

Another component stalling XRP’s growth is the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) hesitation in greenlighting proposed spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from major players like CoinShares and Bitwise. Although certain XRP futures-based products are operational, the launch of a spot ETF remains in limbo, adding to market caution. Investors can find historical SEC updates and ETF proposals in earlier discussions outlined here and here.

Adding to the complexity is another delayed decision specifically targeting XRP-powered ETFs from CoinShares and Bitwise, as highlighted in one of the key updates available here. The lack of a clear regulatory path creates uncertainty, especially when compared to other crypto assets that may benefit from more transparent approval processes.

While XRP bides time under these circumstances, Cardano’s ADA has struck a more optimistic tone. ADA’s price has climbed 16% in the past month to about $0.81. More tellingly, nearly one billion ADA tokens—worth around $800 million—have been pulled from exchanges since early 2025. This trend suggests a preference for self-custody strategies among investors, which historically correlates with reduced sell-pressure and potential upward momentum, as documented here.

However, ADA’s Relative Strength Index (RSI) briefly spiked above 70, a signal commonly read as “overbought.” Although the RSI has since dipped just below that threshold, it remains in a zone of caution for short-term investors who are eyeing possible corrections.

Meanwhile, DOGE has grabbed headlines with a monthly surge of 35%, now trading at approximately $0.25. Chart analysts suggest a potential climb to $0.31, driven by bullish indicators such as rising transaction volume, increasing whale involvement, and growing user activity. Analyst Ali Martinez mentioned a breakout from a bull pennant formation, reinforcing his prediction of upward movement, as detailed here. His earlier insights into DOGE’s performance patterns are also available here.

Influencer KALEO offered additional perspective, emphasizing that Bitcoin’s recent halving could serve as a catalyst for a broader market rally, including DOGE. His forecast, alongside others, underscores the potential for further price appreciation in the weeks ahead, with commentary accessible here.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

In summary, XRP is currently navigating challenges tied to large-scale investor behavior and regulatory indecision. Until those headwinds pass, it may continue to lag behind other altcoins experiencing more assertive uptrends. Nonetheless, given its role in cross-border payments and the possible future approval of ETFs, XRP’s long-term potential remains on the radar of many in the crypto community.