XRP, the digital currency tied to Ripple’s blockchain ecosystem, is facing a turbulent week as it struggles to regain upward momentum amid a persistent downtrend. However, major players—commonly referred to as whales—have taken decisive action to protect the token’s value from slipping below the crucial $2 threshold.

In the past 48 hours, large XRP holders have accumulated nearly 900 million tokens, representing over $1.9 billion in market value. This massive influx of capital suggests a concerted effort by whales to defend the $2 price line, signaling confidence in XRP’s long-term potential and a desire to halt its current decline.

Massive Whale Accumulation Emerges

Addresses holding between 100 million and 1 billion XRP have significantly increased their holdings, according to on-chain data. This accumulation is seen as a bullish move by market analysts, who note that such large-scale buying often acts as a cushion during periods of heightened selling pressure.

These whale addresses are typically institutional investors or early adopters with deep pockets, and their buying activity usually indicates either strategic positioning or preparation for a potential price rally. With XRP teetering around $2.12, the timing of this accumulation suggests a collective effort to stabilize the price and potentially engineer a rebound.

XRP’s Market Signals Remain Mixed

Despite the aggressive whale activity, not all indicators point to a bullish turnaround just yet. The Liveliness metric, which measures activity among long-term holders (LTHs), has begun to tick upward. This suggests that some long-term holders are starting to offload their assets, likely reacting to recent declines.

When LTHs sell during a downtrend, it often indicates fading confidence in near-term recovery. This type of selling can further pressure prices downward. However, in this case, the LTH selling appears relatively mild, meaning it may not overpower the effects of the whale accumulation just yet.

While there’s concern about a potential shift in sentiment among long-term investors, the balance between these two forces—whale accumulation and LTH selling—will play a crucial role in XRP’s immediate price direction.

XRP Price at a Pivotal Support Level

As of the latest trading data, XRP is hovering around $2.12, down roughly 3% in the last 24 hours. This price level is now being tested as a potential support zone. Holding above it could serve as a springboard for a reversal of the current bearish trend.

The altcoin’s downward trajectory, which began in mid-May, has yet to break, and its failure to breach higher resistance levels has left investors cautious. However, if the recent influx of whale buying power can provide the necessary support, XRP might rebound toward its next resistance at $2.27. A successful move above that level would invalidate the existing downtrend and hint at a stronger bullish recovery.

Conversely, if the support at $2.12 fails and selling pressure intensifies, XRP could slide toward $2.02. Should that level also give way, the token could dip as low as $1.94—effectively erasing much of the optimism surrounding its recent rally attempts.

Looking Ahead: Caution and Hope

The coming days will be critical for XRP. The battle between bullish whale support and bearish long-term holder exits will likely decide whether the altcoin recovers or sinks further. A sustained hold above the $2 mark would indicate market strength, while a breakdown could reignite broader selloffs in the altcoin sector.

As speculation builds around XRP’s next move, one thing is clear: the crypto’s largest investors are not ready to give up the $2 line without a fight. With nearly a billion tokens added to their wallets, the whales have drawn a clear line in the sand—now it’s up to the market to decide whether it will hold.