XRP Holds $1.90 as Retail Fear Spikes: Validator Says Current Level is a Strategic Buying Opportunity

XRP is trading above $1.90 after several weeks of pressure that pushed the token below the $2 psychological level. The pullback comes amid a broader crypto market downturn that has erased roughly $200 billion in total market capitalization since early January.

For XRP, the decline has been accompanied by a sharp deterioration in retail sentiment, even as some on-chain analysts and ecosystem participants argue that the current range carries longer-term significance.

While price action remains fragile, the debate around XRP has shifted from short-term momentum to questions of positioning, ownership structure, and adoption-driven fundamentals.

XRP Validator Highlights Accumulation Window Below $2

Crypto investor and XRPL validator 24HRSCRYPTO argues that XRP’s price below $2 represents a narrowing window for accumulation rather than a reflection of weakening fundamentals.

The commentary focuses on affordability and timing, noting that earlier market participants were able to build large positions with relatively modest capital, a dynamic that becomes harder as prices rise.

On-ledger data shows that more than 500,000 XRP Ledger accounts already hold over 10,000 XRP. Since these figures represent accounts rather than individuals, actual concentration may be higher.

According to the validator, this suggests that sizeable XRP holdings are becoming structurally harder to achieve for new entrants, especially if prices move higher.

The analysis also highlights cash flow constraints. Using fixed monthly investment scenarios, 24HRSCRYPTO explains that rising prices mathematically reduce the number of XRP units investors can accumulate over time. From this perspective, scarcity is not framed as sentiment-driven, but as a function of price appreciation.

Retail Sentiment Hits “Extreme Fear” Territory

Data from Santiment shows that XRP retail sentiment has slipped into “extreme fear” for the third time this year. The ratio of positive to negative sentiment dropped below 1.873 on January 20 and has continued to weaken. Historically, similar sentiment lows have coincided with short-term price rebounds, although outcomes have varied.

XRP has already staged a modest recovery, rising from around $1.89 to near $1.95. However, analysts caution that fearful sentiment alone does not guarantee sustained upside, especially in a market shaped by geopolitical uncertainty and declining risk appetite.

Technical Pressure Meets Ecosystem Developments

From a technical standpoint, XRP’s monthly candle has turned bearish, with strong selling noted near the $2.70–$3.00 zone. Analysts point to $1.90 as a key pivot, warning that a monthly close below this level could open the door to deeper supports near $1.60.

Similarly, developments within the Ripple ecosystem continue to unfold. The recent Binance listing of RLUSD has expanded liquidity and access to Ripple’s stablecoin infrastructure, while executives maintain that 2026 could mark a shift toward broader institutional use of blockchain-based payments.

Cover image from ChatGPT, XRPUSD chart on Tradingview