XRP’s price fell in the last 24 hours, sliding from $3.34 to $3.10, as cryptocurrency markets faced over $1 billion in liquidations.

The token is currently trading at $3.10, down 3.95% in the same period, after touching $3.05 — its lowest level in more than a week — before stabilising.

Heavy midday trading saw one of the largest single-hour volumes this quarter, with institutional support emerging near the lower price range.

Despite the pressure, late-session buying helped the token edge back above short-term resistance, indicating potential early accumulation from large holders.

Traders are closely monitoring whether this shift marks the start of a broader recovery or simply a pause before further declines.

Market-wide liquidations trigger steep drop

The decline was part of a broader market correction that coincided with profit-taking in US equities, shifting investor sentiment. Market-wide liquidations surpassed $1 billion, with XRP facing a midday capitulation event.

At 12:00, prices fell from $3.22 to $3.09 on heavy selling, contributing to a single-hour volume spike of 436.98 million units. This was among the largest trading bursts for the token this quarter, reflecting a high level of speculative positioning being unwound in rapid succession.

Ripple’s chief technology officer reiterated the XRP Ledger’s readiness for integration into global financial infrastructure during the downturn, offering a layer of fundamental confidence despite short-term volatility.

Price action and volatility levels

Over the 24-hour period from 03:00 on 14 August to 02:00 on 15 August, XRP saw a trading range spanning $3.34 to $3.05, representing an 8.69% volatility swing.

After the midday drop, the price traded in a narrow $3.05–$3.13 band, signalling reduced sell-side momentum. In the final 60 minutes of trading, two notable volume surges of 4.53 million and 3.76 million units emerged, suggesting renewed institutional interest at support.

Such inflows into spot markets after a sharp drop often point to strategic positioning by larger investors seeking to capitalise on discounted price levels.

Key technical levels to watch

Support has been confirmed between $3.05 and $3.09, tested repeatedly during periods of intense selling. Immediate resistance now sits at $3.13, with a secondary level at $3.20. Declining volumes after the midday spike point to liquidation exhaustion.

The recovery above $3.10 in low-liquidity conditions suggests early-stage re-accumulation could be underway, although follow-through buying above $3.13 will be needed to confirm a short-term reversal.

Factors traders are monitoring

Market participants are watching whether $3.05 will hold in the next wave of volatility, particularly if market-wide liquidations occur again.

Large-holder wallet activity is being tracked for signs of accumulation, and shifts in funding rates in XRP derivatives markets are under review for possible leveraged re-entry.

Correlation with equity markets remains important, with US Federal Reserve rate cut expectations continuing to influence risk sentiment.

As global markets remain sensitive to macroeconomic signals, cryptocurrency price action is expected to remain closely linked to investor appetite for risk assets.

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XRP price down 3.95% in 24 hours as market liquidations exceed $1 billion

Source: https://coinjournal.net/news/xrp-price-down-3-95-in-24-hours-as-market-liquidations-exceed-1-billion/

Ripple’s XRP token is holding steady at $2.14 despite a significant slowdown in trading volume and increasing caution across the wider crypto market.

Source: CoinMarketCap

The token’s price consolidation comes as investors await the US Federal Reserve’s next interest rate decision and watch closely for developments in upcoming trade talks between the US and China.

On-chain data suggests that large investors are continuing to accumulate XRP, with wallets holding between 1 million and 10 million tokens increasing their holdings by 1.2% since January.

This rise in so-called whale activity is helping to maintain a floor at the $2.10 support level, even as momentum indicators such as the RSI point to growing trader uncertainty.

The broader crypto market is similarly rangebound, with Bitcoin fluctuating between $94,000 and $96,000 ahead of the Fed’s policy statement and key diplomatic meetings set to take place in Switzerland this weekend.

Fed expected to keep rates steady at 4.25%-4.5%

According to CME Group’s FedWatch Tool, most market participants anticipate that the Federal Open Market Committee will leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged.

The current range of 4.25% to 4.5% reflects the central bank’s cautious stance amid ongoing global economic volatility, particularly stemming from trade policy and geopolitical tension.

K33 Research’s latest weekly report notes that the Fed’s conservative approach is being driven in part by uncertainty over tariffs and broader macroeconomic concerns.

These macroeconomic headwinds are weighing on risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have absorbed over 50,000 BTC since April 21, yet Bitcoin has struggled to maintain upward momentum beyond $97,000, underscoring the broader market’s hesitancy.

XRP’s own muted performance in recent days reflects similar indecision, with bulls and bears locked in a stalemate above the $2.10 level.

Trade tensions push XRP into consolidation

XRP’s current price movement reflects more than just domestic economic uncertainty. International trade disputes have intensified after the US placed new restrictions on chip exports to China.

Specifically, NVIDIA’s advanced H20 processors were barred from shipment, prompting China to retaliate by halting exports of rare earth materials to the US.

These tit-for-tat actions have destabilised sentiment and triggered panic across global markets in April.

In response to this escalating trade war, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has confirmed a planned meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland.

Scheduled for this weekend, the meeting is expected to focus on resolving some of the key tariff barriers and opening channels for improved bilateral trade.

Market analysts suggest that progress in these talks could reduce volatility and improve sentiment for risk-on assets, including cryptocurrencies.

XRP price faces resistance at $2.20

XRP continues to trade within a tight range between its 200-day exponential moving average at $1.99 and a dual resistance level formed by the 50-day and 100-day EMAs around $2.20.

A long-term descending trendline dating back to January adds further pressure on bullish traders attempting to break past the upper resistance zone.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has dipped below the neutral 50 level, indicating that bearish momentum may be strengthening. This shift in sentiment raises the possibility of losses below $2.10.

Should the $1.99 support break, traders may look to lower levels at $1.80 or even $1.61—the latter being the low recorded on April 7—for signs of a reversal.

Despite these technical headwinds, whale wallets are quietly increasing their holdings.

According to Santiment data, addresses holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP now control 9.44% of the total supply, up from 8.24% at the start of the year.

This trend could serve as a stabilising force as investors navigate short-term volatility ahead of the Fed’s decision and international trade negotiations.

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Whales boost XRP exposure by 1.2% as Fed decision and US-China talks loom

Source: https://coinjournal.net/news/whales-boost-xrp-exposure-by-1-2-as-fed-decision-and-us-china-talks-loom/

Bitcoin surged past $97,000 on Wednesday before settling above $96,000, as a confluence of global monetary moves stirred markets ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement.

The cryptocurrency’s rally came hours after China injected $138 billion into its economy through a broad stimulus package and the US central bank made back-to-back Treasury purchases totalling $34.8 billion.

These developments, combined with renewed China-US trade talks, have raised speculation of a return to quantitative easing, shifting global investor sentiment towards risk-on assets like crypto.

China injects liquidity and cuts interest rates

At a press conference hosted by the State Council Information Office, People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng announced a 0.5 percentage point cut in the reserve requirement ratio (RRR), freeing up 1 trillion yuan (~$138 billion) in long-term liquidity.

This measure was paired with a 10 basis point cut to the key policy interest rate and a reduction in the seven-day reverse repo rate from 1.5% to 1.4%.

The stimulus package also included a 500 billion yuan re-lending facility aimed at supporting elderly care and domestic consumption.

In addition, mortgage rates were trimmed and reserve requirements for auto financing companies were eased.

These steps are intended to counter weakening domestic demand and support the slowing property sector.

The timing of the announcement was critical. It came just before the US confirmed that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent would meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland on May 10 and 11.

The upcoming summit marks the first official trade talks since President Trump raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%.

Bitcoin and S&P 500 react to global easing signals

Markets responded immediately to the dual headlines of stimulus and diplomacy.

According to The Kobeissi Letter, S&P 500 futures climbed more than 1%, while Bitcoin jumped above $97,000.

The cryptocurrency’s gains were tempered later in the day, with BTC trading at $96,911 at the time of writing, up 2.93% in the past 24 hours.

Source: CoinMarketCap

Gold also rallied strongly, nearing all-time highs at $3,437.60 per ounce, showing a 28.84% year-to-date increase.

The precious metal’s gains suggest investors are positioning for uncertainty ahead of the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statement.

Fed’s bond purchases trigger QE speculation

Adding to the market momentum, the Federal Reserve quietly purchased $34.8 billion in Treasury securities across two days. On May 5, it acquired $20 billion in 3-year notes, followed by a $14.8 billion buy in 10-year bonds on May 6.

These moves were made without any formal announcement of a policy shift.

The scale and speed of the purchases have fuelled speculation that the Fed is testing the waters for a return to quantitative easing.

This follows months of cautious guidance from Chair Jerome Powell, who had maintained that further tightening or balance sheet reductions were possible depending on inflation trends.

Arthur Hayes, former BitMEX CEO, suggested in a recent column that these actions could propel Bitcoin to $250,000 by the end of 2025, should QE formally resume.

However, other analysts remain sceptical, noting the absence of systemic financial stress that would typically justify such action.

Eyes on the Fed as markets wait for clarity

The FOMC meeting later today will be closely watched for signals on the Fed’s policy stance.

A dovish pivot could help Bitcoin establish stronger support above $97,000, while a more hawkish tone may lead to increased volatility.

Investors remain cautious but alert, with global central bank coordination and renewed trade diplomacy hinting at deeper macro shifts.

Whether Bitcoin maintains its upward trajectory depends largely on what message the Fed sends in the coming hours.

The post Bitcoin hits $97K as China injects $138B and Fed ramps bond purchases appeared first on CoinJournal.

Bitcoin hits $97K as China injects $138B and Fed ramps bond purchases

Source: https://coinjournal.net/news/bitcoin-hits-97k-as-china-injects-138b-and-fed-ramps-bond-purchases/