XRP-USD Tests $2.35 Ahead of ETF Launch and Legal Finality

Ripple (XRP-USD) Price Builds Pressure Below $2.35 as ETF and Legal Shifts Collide

ETF Momentum and Resistance at $2.35–$2.42

Ripple’s XRP-USD has posted a 4% weekly gain, hovering just below the critical $2.35 resistance. Anticipation is mounting ahead of the July 14 launch of ProShares' XRP Futures ETFs, following DTCC clearance. But until $2.42 is decisively broken, upward momentum may face exhaustion.

Technical Setup: Inverse Head-and-Shoulders Targets $2.76

The chart reveals a pronounced inverse head-and-shoulders formation, with a neckline at $2.33–$2.35. A breakout above this area could drive a move to $2.50, then potentially $2.76, if volume confirms. Momentum remains constructive, with a Golden Cross between the 100-day and 200-day MAs and RSI at 58.89, signaling more room to run.

Bearish On-Chain Divergence Amid Exchange Inflows

Despite price optimism, Glassnode data shows 283M XRP shifted to centralized exchanges—an 8-month high in Exchange Net Position Change. Simultaneously, Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) dropped to 0.01, indicating falling accumulation and warning of potential price exhaustion.

XRP Futures Surge: $4.93B OI and $10B Volume

Derivatives markets are showing renewed interest. Open Interest in XRP futures surged from $3.53B to $4.93B, with daily trading volume spiking 120% to $10B. Long and short liquidations are balanced around $5M, signaling indecision as traders await a breakout or rejection at $2.42.

Ripple vs. SEC: Lawsuit as Strategic Suppression?

Jesse of Apex Crypto posits the Ripple-SEC case could be orchestrated to suppress XRP’s price, allowing Ripple to quietly expand ties with IMF and central banks. Ripple’s latest move to drop its cross-appeal and seek a U.S. banking license adds fuel to this theory and hints at ambitions beyond crypto.

Price-Volume Discrepancy Risks False Breakout

XRP bounced from $2.17 and now flirts with $2.42 resistance. Yet declining volume weakens the technical case for a sustained breakout. Historically, XRP breakouts have required strong volume confirmation, currently lacking.

XRP vs ETH: Reserve Currency vs DeFi Powerhouse

XRP’s strategy leans on $335M YTD institutional inflows, ETF structures, and reserve currency ambitions. Ethereum (ETH-USD) leads in DeFi and application layers, but XRP’s partnerships and regulatory positioning may give it an edge in the institutional race.

XRPL Adoption: Payroll, Batch Payments, and Real Utility

Use cases for XRP are evolving. Startups in Asia and Europe leverage the XRPL’s Batch Transactions to simplify payroll across borders. Companies are deploying stablecoin hedges or proxy models to combat volatility, making XRP viable for enterprise operations.

Speculative Buy if $2.42 Breaks with Volume

A decisive close above $2.42, backed by volume, could trigger upside to $2.50, $2.58, and $2.76. Failure would bring a slide back to $2.20–$2.17. ETF tailwinds, legal shifts, and strong derivatives flows position XRP-USD as a Speculative Buy, contingent on breakout confirmation.