XRP Breaks $1.40 Support Amid Strong Selling: At a Crossroads Between Further Decline and Rebound

On April 28, 2026, the price of Ripple (XRP) fell 3% below $1.40 amid strong selling, causing market concern. This decline was confirmed by a breakdown of support accompanied by high trading volume, suggesting that sellers have taken control of the market in the short term.

According to historical data from YCharts, XRP recorded $1.431 on April 27, 2026, but lost the key psychological support level of $1.40 within a day. This signifies a downward breakout from the $1.42–$1.43 range maintained over the past few days, interpreted as a signal that additional downward pressure could intensify.

XRP began April 2026 near $1.20 and showed a steady upward trend, driven by expectations for the resolution of the SEC lawsuit and the Senate deliberation schedule for the CLARITY Act. Notably, it set a psychological milestone by breaking above $1.50 in mid-April, but has since lost upward momentum and is undergoing a correction.

A breakdown on high volume confirms that sellers are in control of the market, and failed support levels transform into key pivot points as downside targets become visible.

Currently, the biggest obstacle in the XRP market is the volume from so-called 'trapped' investors. Approximately 60% of the total circulating supply is concentrated around an average price of $1.44, creating a resistance wall where break-even selling orders pour in whenever the price enters the $1.40–$1.45 range.

Technical Indicators and Key Support Level Analysis

Looking at technical indicators, the hourly MACD for XRP/USD is signaling a decline, and a close below the $1.3330 level would increase the likelihood of further drops. Market analysts believe that if the current downtrend continues, the following support levels will be tested.

• $1.3020: Primary major support zone in case of decline
• $1.2880: Expected support level in case of further decline
• $1.2750: Strongest bottom support level on the current chart

On the other hand, approximately $75 million flowed into XRP ETFs during April 2026, and signs of accumulation by institutional and large investors are also present, such as large-scale withdrawals by whales from major exchanges like Binance. These conflicting data points suggest a fierce battle between buying and selling forces in the market, foreshadowing even greater volatility ahead.

Macroeconomic risk factors cannot be ignored. With the expiration of the Iran ceasefire agreement on April 22, 2026, geopolitical risks are resurfacing. If oil prices exceed $110 per barrel, there is a risk that selling pressure will spread across the entire cryptocurrency market. This could act as a powerful downward force capable of offsetting positive regulatory news.

Market analysts are divided on whether to view the current decline as a simple correction or the start of a long-term downtrend. Some analysts are optimistic about a long-term rally based on the breakout of a pennant pattern formed since 2017, but the majority remain cautious due to immediate selling pressure and the solidity of the $1.45 resistance wall.

Among investors, despite a slight improvement in the Fear and Greed Index from 'Extreme Fear' to 'Fear,' there are assessments that disappointment-driven selling is increasing as the price fails to decisively reclaim $1.45. This indicates that the sentiment of short-term investors remains subdued.

Going forward, investors should keep a close watch on the results of the Senate markup for the CLARITY Act scheduled for late April 2026 and whether the $1.3330 support level holds. Additionally, the volatility of the overall market, including Bitcoin, and the trend of oil prices are expected to be key indicators determining XRP's short-term direction.