XRP Traders Pull Back $2.4B—Brace For Impact Or Buy The Dip?

Christian Encila

Last Updated: July 30, 2025 9:16 am

2 mins read

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According to recent reports, XRP slid about 15% after peaking at $3.66 on July 18, wiping out roughly $2.4 billion in open futures positions. That sharp drop has traders debating whether to hunker down or scoop up XRP near the $2.60 mark.

Rally Driven By Big Bets

XRP’s surge from $2.17 on July 1 to $3.66 by July 18 was powered by a surge in open interest that peaked at $11.2 billion in dollar terms. That means a lot of traders had large positions riding the upswing.

Since then, open interest has fallen to $8.8 billion, a 20% drop in US dollar value. In XRP units, contracts fell 10% to 2.80 billion. Liquidations of roughly $325 million over the two weeks ending July 25 show some of those big bets were wiped out.

Futures Traders Hold Steady

Annualized futures premiums for monthly XRP contracts have stayed in a 6% to 8% range. That suggests traders aren’t panicking even after the price dipped below $3.

Short‑term swings didn’t spark a rush into bullish bets when XRP briefly rose past $3.60, slowing the risk of more forced exits. The calm premium levels hint that professional players remain cautious but not overly concerned.

XRPUSD now trading at $3.12. Chart: TradingView

Growing chatter about a US spot ETF for XRP has added to the mix. Ether products crossed $18 billion in assets under management, so some expect a similar boost if a spot‑XRP ETF wins approval.

But approvals can take many months, and nothing is certain. Rumors about banks or a tie‑up with SWIFT have popped up online without proof. Traders know that hype only lasts so long when there’s no real deal.

Ranking of tokenize real-world assets in US dollar. Source: RWA.xyz

On‑Ledger Activity Trails Peers

DeFi use on the XRP Ledger is still small. According to RWA.xyz data, just $134 million of tokenized assets sit on the network, compared with $190 million on Avalanche.

Decentralized exchange volume barely makes the top 50 chains. DefiLlama shows Sui recorded $13 billion in 30‑day DEX trading, and Sei handled $1.43 billion. Those gaps show that XRP’s on‑chain tools haven’t drawn the same crowd as rival networks.

Looking ahead, clear growth in real‑world use could help XRP break out of its current $3.00–$3.15 range. For now, traders are watching both price action and on‑chain metrics.

It may take fresh catalysts beyond ETF hopes to drive sustained gains. Until then, the market could stay choppy and reactive to any big swings in open interest.

Featured image from Meta, chart from TradingView

Christian Encila

They say journalists never truly clock out. But for Christian, that's not just a metaphor, it's a lifestyle. By day, he navigates the ever-shifting tides of the cryptocurrency market, wielding words like a seasoned editor and crafting articles that decipher the jargon for the masses. When the PC goes on hibernate mode, however, his pursuits take a more mechanical (and sometimes philosophical) turn.

Christian's journey with the written word began long before the age of Bitcoin. In the hallowed halls of academia, he honed his craft as a feature writer for his college paper. This early love for storytelling paved the way for a successful stint as an editor at a data engineering firm, where his first-month essay win funded a months-long supply of doggie and kitty treats – a testament to his dedication to his furry companions (more on that later).

Christian then roamed the world of journalism, working at newspapers in Canada and even South Korea. He finally settled down at a local news giant in his hometown in the Philippines for a decade, becoming a total news junkie. But then, something new caught his eye: cryptocurrency. It was like a treasure hunt mixed with storytelling - right up his alley!

So, he landed a killer gig at NewsBTC, where he's one of the go-to guys for all things crypto. He breaks down this confusing stuff into bite-sized pieces, making it easy for anyone to understand (he salutes his management team for teaching him this skill).

Think Christian's all work and no play? Not a chance! When he's not at his computer, you'll find him indulging his passion for motorbikes. A true gearhead, Christian loves tinkering with his bike and savoring the joy of the open road on his 320-cc Yamaha R3. Once a speed demon who hit 120mph (a feat he vowed never to repeat), he now prefers leisurely rides along the coast, enjoying the wind in his thinning hair.

Speaking of chill, Christian's got a crew of furry friends waiting for him at home. Two cats and a dog. He swears cats are way smarter than dogs (sorry, Grizzly), but he adores them all anyway. Apparently, watching his pets just chillin’ helps him analyze and write meticulously formatted articles even better.

Here's the thing about this guy: He works a lot, but he keeps himself fueled by enough coffee to make it through the day - and some seriously delicious (Filipino) food. He says a delectable meal is the secret ingredient to a killer article. And after a long day of crypto crusading, he unwinds with some rum (mixed with milk) while watching slapstick movies.

Looking ahead, Christian sees a bright future with NewsBTC. He says he sees himself privileged to be part of an awesome organization, sharing his expertise and passion with a community he values, and fellow editors - and bosses - he deeply respects.

So, the next time you tread into the world of cryptocurrency, remember the man behind the words – the crypto crusader, the grease monkey, and the feline philosopher, all rolled into one.

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