XRP Breaks Falling Channel as Whales Hit 2026 High: Is $1.40 Next?

XRP is trading near $1.31, up 3.23% in 24 hours, after bouncing from a session low of $1.27. Price is now testing the top of a falling channel that has held since late September.

Whale counts and exchange data are improving. A daily close above $1.30 is the next big test for buyers.

Why Is the XRP Up Today?

• Wallets holding 1M+ tokens rose to 2,147, a 2026 high

• Binance scarcity index climbed to 2.1, highest since 2022

• Shorts lost $4.97M in liquidations over 24 hours

• Price pushed above the falling channel trendline

Can Bulls Hold $1.30? Daily Chart Shows a Channel Breakout

On the daily chart, price has moved inside a descending channel since the $1.66 peak in September. It bounced from the lower line near $1.23 and has now pushed above the upper trendline.

RSI sits near 49. That is neutral, but it is rising, which points to better buying momentum.

A candle close above $1.30 would confirm the breakout. If not, price could slip back inside the channel.

Whales Add 28 Wallets in 10 Days: Are Big Holders Buying the Dip?

Santiment data shows 2,147 wallets now hold at least 1 million tokens. That is the highest count in 2026.

Eighteen of the new wallets joined in the last 3 days alone.

Large holders tend to think long-term. Seeing more of them during weak price action hints that coins are being collected, not sold.

Holding $1.20 to $1.25 while the count stays above 2,140 would keep this setup alive.

Binance Scarcity Index Jumps to 2.1, Its Highest Since 2022

CryptoQuant data shows the Binance scarcity index at about 2.1. A higher reading means fewer coins are available to trade on the exchange.

Tighter supply can support a rally if demand grows. It does not guarantee one.

Shorts Take the Hit: $4.97M Liquidated in 24 Hours

XRP futures volume is $2.96 billion, and open interest is $2.97 billion. Spot volume is $626.93 million.

Shorts lost $4.97 million of the $6.34 million liquidated. Longs lost $1.37 million. A small short squeeze may have helped the bounce.

Inverse Head and Shoulders: Could This Pattern Aim for $3.00?

Analyst Javon Marks points to an inverse head and shoulders pattern on a larger chart. He says a reversal toward all-time highs could be in the works.

A neckline break with higher volume would confirm it. Levels cited in that read are $1.80, $2.10, $2.50, and $3.00.

Until the neckline breaks, it is only a possible setup.

XRP Support and Resistance: Key Levels to Watch Now

Fear & Greed Index Rebounds From 34 to 50 in One Day

Sentiment moved from fear (34) yesterday to neutral (50) today. Last week it read 51. A month ago it was 73, deep in greed.

What Happens Next? Bull and Bear Scenarios

Bull case: A daily close above $1.30 and a hold above $1.27 could open the way to $1.3551, then $1.40. A push to $1.48 to $1.50 would need strong volume.

Bear case: If buyers fail at the trendline, XRP may slide back into the channel. Support sits near $1.28, then $1.23. A drop under $1.20 would weaken the whale story.

Nobody can say which path wins. The next few daily closes should tell us more.

Disclaimer

This article is for information only and is not financial, investment, or trading advice. Crypto assets are highly volatile, and you can lose some or all of your money. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Always do your own research and speak with a licensed financial advisor before making any decision.