XRP Price Update: Ripple’s Hidden Road Deal Ignites Hype Amid $70M Whale Sell-Off

Ripple has officially completed its acquisition of Hidden Road, which will now operate under the name Ripple Prime. The move marks a pivotal expansion for the company, transforming it into the first crypto firm to run a global multi-asset prime brokerage. The development brings Ripple’s vision closer to merging traditional finance and digital assets, with XRP positioned as a bridge currency for institutional-grade settlements.

The acquisition aims to streamline liquidity access for banks and large asset managers, allowing them to manage both fiat and crypto holdings through one integrated system. Ripple stated that the initiative is designed to accelerate adoption among institutions seeking fast, compliant, and cost-effective cross-border payments.

Retail and Institutional Confidence Diverge

While Ripple’s announcement sparked excitement, on-chain data shows a contrasting story in the short term. According to crypto analyst Ali, whales have sold roughly 70 million XRP within 48 hours, signaling profit-taking among large holders after recent price gains. Despite this, market sentiment remains mixed, with many investors viewing the pullback as a healthy reset before the next major move.

As of now, XRP trades around $2.60, up 3.8% in the past 24 hours, after briefly touching lows near $2.50 earlier this week. Technical indicators show RSI recovering toward neutral levels at 50, while the MACD histogram hints at the early stages of a potential bullish crossover.

James Wynn Goes Long on XRP

Adding to the intrigue, trader James Wynn disclosed that he has taken a major long position in XRP, committing over $25,000 to the asset. Wynn described the investment as a result of “diving deep into the XRP ecosystem,” noting that he sees its long-term potential in transforming global banking infrastructure. He also invited community members to share opposing views and insights to better assess the risks and rewards tied to the project.

XRP Community Weighs In

The XRP community’s response was immediate. Legal expert Bill Morgan highlighted XRP’s historical resilience, noting that it has remained a top 10 cryptocurrency for more than a decade, even amid market downturns and regulatory pressure. Validators such as Vet, representing XRPL dUNL, emphasized XRP’s technical advantages—its consensus protocol, built-in AMM and CLOB features, and its proven reliability as one of the oldest Layer 1 networks in active use.

Despite the enthusiasm, some remain cautious. XRP’s smart contract capabilities are still under development, and retail adoption trails behind competitors like Solana and Ethereum. Additionally, criticism persists regarding Ripple’s periodic sales of XRP, which some investors view as dampening long-term price growth.

Technical Outlook and Future Prospects

Looking at the chart, XRP’s recent recovery has brought price action back above the key $2.50 support level. Analysts warn that failure to hold this zone could open the door to a retest of $2.30, while sustained buying pressure might push XRP toward $3.00–$3.20 resistance in the near term. RSI and MACD both suggest an early recovery phase, hinting at the potential for a continuation of the short-term rally.

Despite short-term whale selling, analysts remain optimistic about the broader trajectory. XRP’s expanding institutional reach, combined with Ripple’s aggressive global strategy, positions it as a serious contender in the digital payments landscape. Some market watchers have even floated the possibility of XRP hitting double-digit territory, should liquidity and adoption continue to accelerate through Ripple Prime’s ecosystem.