XRP slipped more than 6% to trade near $2.02 on 1 December, as new on-chain data showed a major shift in whale behavior that appears to be weighing directly on price. 

Large holders controlling between 1 million and infinity XRP offloaded a significant portion of their supply this week, ending one of the longest accumulation phases seen this year.

The drop in holdings aligns closely with a sharp intraday sell-off and comes at a time when XRP’s broader distribution trend has already been visible for months. 

Data from Santiment reveals that whale balances have declined from their November peak, with the latest leg down marking one of the steepest single-week reductions of 2025.

Whales accelerate XRP distribution after months of slow unwinding

The supply held by top XRP cohorts shows that after months of steady accumulation through mid-year, large wallets began distributing gradually from September, eventually accelerating in late November. 

This week’s sharp decline indicates more aggressive selling, reversing what had been a stabilizing phase following XRP’s summer peak.

On-chain data shows whale holdings dropped from above 70 billion XRP to roughly 57 billion in the most recent snapshot, representing a substantial release of tokens into the market.

Accumulation/Distribution line confirms sustained sell pressure

Supporting the on-chain picture, XRP’s Accumulation/Distribution (A/D) line has trended downward since August, reflecting sustained selling by informed participants even during short-lived price recoveries. 

The indicator now sits close to 8.14 billion, marking one of its lowest levels in months.

This divergence between whale selling and price consolidation hinted at weakness well before this week’s breakdown.

XRP deepens its downtrend

XRP’s price chart clearly shows the impact. After failing to break above the $2.30–$2.35 resistance zone last week, XRP slipped sharply, forming a lower high and continuing its broader downtrend that began in September.

The 6% daily drop brings XRP back toward the lower range of its multi-week channel, confirming that sellers remain in control.

Unless the asset can reclaim $2.20 followed by the $2.30 zone, the bias remains bearish in the near term.

What comes next for XRP?

The combination of whale distribution, weakening accumulation metrics, and technical breakdowns suggests that XRP may face continued pressure unless fresh demand emerges at lower levels.

A key area to watch is the psychological support around the $1.90 level. A rebound from that zone could stabilize the structure, while a break below it may open the path toward deeper corrections.

Final Thoughts

• Whale cohorts reducing their XRP supply have added to sell pressure, confirming a broader distribution trend that began months ago.
• With the A/D line weakening and price unable to reclaim key resistance, XRP remains vulnerable unless buyers step in at major support zones.

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