TLDR
- XRP pushed above $1.40 during early Asia trading on strong volume
- Price hit a high of $1.4148 before consolidating above $1.40
- Key resistance sits at $1.420, with targets at $1.435 and $1.450 if broken
- Ripple re-locked 700 million XRP into escrow after unlocking 1 billion
- Analyst CW flagged the largest long-position buying volume in two weeks
XRP climbed back above $1.40 during early Asia trading on May 4, 2026, as broader crypto markets moved higher alongside Bitcoin. The move came on a sharp pickup in volume, which traders see as a sign of real market participation rather than a low-liquidity push.
The token reached a high of $1.4148 before pulling back slightly into a consolidation range between $1.4040 and $1.4060. XRP is currently trading above both the $1.40 level and the 100-hour Simple Moving Average.
A bullish trend line is forming on the hourly chart with support near $1.3920. Price structure shows higher lows leading into the breakout, pointing to steady buying pressure underneath.
XRP had been trading in a tight range between $1.35 and $1.45 for some time. The latest move marks another attempt to break out of that compression, with volume confirming the push through $1.40.
Key Resistance Levels to Watch
The first major resistance is at $1.420. A clear break above that level could open the door to $1.435, then $1.450. Beyond that, traders are eyeing $1.480 and $1.50 as further targets.
On the downside, $1.3880 is the first support level. Below that sits $1.380, which lines up with the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the move from $1.3460 to $1.4148. A close below $1.380 could push price toward $1.350, then $1.322.
Crypto analyst CW pointed out that a large wave of net long-position buying had taken place in XRP, calling it the largest volume in two weeks. The analyst noted that while price was moving sideways, someone appeared to be preparing for a strong move higher.
A large-scale net buying of long positions has occurred in $XRP. This is the largest volume in the last two weeks.
Although the price of $XRP is moving sideway, someone is preparing for a very strong rise. pic.twitter.com/SxdbYXfsbA
— CW (@CW8900) May 2, 2026
Ripple Escrow Update
Coin Bureau reported that Ripple re-locked 700 million XRP back into escrow within 24 hours of unlocking 1 billion XRP. According to Whale Alert data, this is part of Ripple’s standard monthly supply management process.
⚡️RIPPLE RE-LOCKS 700M XRP INTO ESCROW
Ripple unlocked 1 BILLION $XRP recently. However, 700 MILLION XRP was locked back into escrow in the past 24 hours, per Whale Alert data.
Escrow releases are part of Ripple’s monthly supply management process. pic.twitter.com/BgG6uaVx26
— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) May 2, 2026
The hourly MACD is currently bullish and the RSI sits above 50, both supporting the case for continued upside if price can hold above $1.40.
$1.40 is now the key pivot level. Holding above it keeps the current breakout structure intact, while a drop back below would signal a failed attempt and likely return price to its recent range.
The MACD and RSI readings on the hourly chart remain in bullish territory as of the latest data.
