XRP has seen a notable price increase of 3.45% in the last 24 hours, reaching $1.44, buoyed by strong ETF inflows and a favorable overall market sentiment. Data from a prominent crypto exchange indicates that XRP outperformed Bitcoin, which has only posted modest gains. The driving factor behind this surge appears to be Ripple’s recent milestone of becoming integrated within Wall Street’s core clearing infrastructure.
On March 2, 2026, Ripple Prime, Ripple’s institutional brokerage platform, was officially listed in the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) directory, managed by the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (DTCC). This landmark event marks the first time a cryptocurrency company has embedded itself directly into the post-trade infrastructure utilized by major financial institutions on Wall Street. Such integration is expected to catalyze increased institutional utility and demand for XRP as a settlement asset in regulated financial environments.
Adding to the buoyant sentiment, on-chain data reveals that the 30-day moving average for XRP Whale Flow has turned positive for the first time in over three months, indicating a resurgence of accumulation among large holders. In the derivatives market, open interest surged by 8%, reaching $2.24 billion, coupled with $2.85 million in short liquidations within the same timeframe. This exuberance has intensified buying pressure, fueled by smart money positioning and the unwinding of bearish bets.
The immediate catalyst for this uptick can be attributed to the news surrounding the DTCC; however, its sustainability will hinge on XRP maintaining crucial price levels. Analysts have identified a significant resistance zone between $1.50 and $1.55. A decisive weekly close above this threshold could pave the way for a potential target near the 50-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $1.60. On the downside, support is firmly established at $1.40, but any drop below this level could prompt a retest of previous lows near $1.34.
Overall, the short-term outlook remains cautiously bullish, contingent on the market’s reception of these developments. Traders are closely monitoring whether recent spot XRP ETF inflows, which have amassed to $7.53 million, will continue to buoy prices. This price movement stems not only from a tangible enhancement in XRP’s institutional standing but also from supportive on-chain metrics and derivatives data.
The narrative surrounding XRP is evolving from concerns over legal hurdles to one focused on institutional integration and technical resilience. With large holders reportedly accumulating rather than distributing their holdings, this marks a decisive shift from recent consolidation within the $1.34 to $1.44 range. This change in market dynamics coincides with notably negative funding rates on Binance, a condition that has historically set the stage for rebound opportunities for XRP.
In a related development, Kraken Financial has secured direct access to the Federal Reserve’s payment system for a one-year trial. Market analyst Paul Barron suggests that Ripple may follow suit, given its ongoing application for a Fed master account and the acquisition of its National Trust Bank Charter in December 2025. Such access is deemed critical for Ripple to effectively establish its infrastructure for settlement operations at the bank scale.
XRP’s current trajectory reflects a convergence of encouraging technical indicators, tangible regulatory advances, and promising technological prospects. The pivotal question remains whether whale accumulation and regulatory support can adequately counterbalance the prevailing bearish market conditions and spark a prolonged recovery.
