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Is price manipulation behind xrp's bullish trend?

Price Manipulation? | XRP’s Trading Behavior Under Fire

By

Leonardo Gomes

Feb 10, 2026, 09:28 PM

Edited By

Laura Chen

Updated

Feb 11, 2026, 04:13 PM

2 minutes needed to read

A price chart showing XRP with high selling volume but rising prices, indicating unusual market behavior.

A rising tide of skepticism surrounds $XRP as traders voice concerns over possible price manipulation. Recent data indicates that 72% to 85% of trades are sell orders, challenging the integrity of the market amidst bullish trends.

Scrutinizing the Sell Orders

The Fear of manipulation looms large over XRP's market performance. Open interest holds steady, and the price appears to rise despite an overwhelming number of sell orders. Observers suggest this discrepancy indicates deeper issues:

  • Gamma Pinning: Some traders highlight gamma pinning, where short sellers may be struggling against institutional ETFs, which seems to dominate in the long run.

  • Liquidation Data: Current liquidation figures reveal around $390 million on the short side compared to over $190 million on the long side, hinting that pressure may build against the prevailing trends.

  • Surprising Stability: Despite a notable $200 million imbalance favoring sell orders, XRP's price continues to hold steady. A trader commented, "85% of volume is sells and price has maintained 100% support from ghost market share."

The Whales’ Power Play

Whales have reportedly taken profits near major resistance levels, raising questions about future price movements. A commentator recently stated, "I wouldn't be shocked if this turns into a bigger market correction soon," pointing toward potential pitfalls ahead.

XRP’s Standing Against Competitors

Despite worries, XRP boasts impressive inflows, amassing $109 million this year, securing its spot as a top performer:

  • Funding rates are alarmingly negative, typically a sign of an approaching downturn when many traders are already short.

Trader Sentiment

In the traded environments, views on $XRP diverge sharply:

  • Positive sentiments: XRP’s strong performance persists amidst the turmoil.

  • Negative vibes: Many traders express fears of manipulation leading to overselling prior to larger profit-taking.

  • Neutral assessments: Acknowledgment of ongoing regulatory uncertainties in the crypto environment lingers.

Insights from the Forum

Insights from recent forums reveal critical sentiments:

  • ✦ "Gamma pinning suggests inefficiencies, providing short traders more challenges, especially against institutional strategies."

  • ✦ "Players in institutional ETFs consistently battle against over-leveraged short traders."

"Whales got what they wanted… Let’s see how this unfolds next."

Final Thoughts on Market Trends

As traders uncross their fingers and weigh their bets, a key question arisesβ€”is the current XRP trend sustainable, or is it a faΓ§ade hiding potential downturns? Analysts estimate roughly 60% likelihood that market strategies may shift in response to prevailing pressures, possibly pushing sellers to test support levels around $0.55. Contrarily, potential recovery in buy-side liquidity could spark renewed gains.

Quick Takeaways

  • ⚠️ Volume Concern: Sells dominate with 72% to 85% of XRP feed.

  • πŸ”» Imbalanced Liquidation Suggestions: Short-side liquidations at $390 million may imply downside risks.

  • πŸš€ Whale Influence: "The top fish are getting what they wanted last Friday."

As these scenarios evolve, market participants' reactions will shape $XRP's fate in the upcoming weeks.