XRP Slips Over 2% Despite Ripple–LMAX $150M Financing Deal — Is a Breakout Still Ahead?

XRP declined over 2% in the past 24 hours despite Ripple announcing a landmark $150 million financing deal with LMAX Group. The token now trades at $2.04, pushing its weekly loss to 2.82% and its market capitalization down to $124.06 billion.

Trading volume dropped 24.71% during the same period. This marks a notable divergence between positive institutional developments and immediate price action. The Ripple-issued token faces mounting pressure at critical support levels.

U.S. spot XRP ETFs recorded their first net outflow of $40.8 million on January 16. This ended a 36-day inflow streak totaling $1.25 billion since November. The 21Shares TOXR fund led the outflows with $47.25 million in redemptions.

Ripple and LMAX Group Forge Multi-Year Stablecoin Partnership

Ripple and LMAX Group announced a strategic partnership on January 15 to accelerate institutional stablecoin adoption. The multi-year collaboration will integrate Ripple’s US-pegged stablecoin RLUSD as a core collateral asset across LMAX’s trading infrastructure.

We’re partnering with @LMAX to accelerate institutional stablecoin adoption and cross-asset mobility.$RLUSD will be integrated as core collateral across LMAX’s global marketplace — unlocking cross-collateral efficiencies across crypto and traditional markets. https://t.co/5Q34wIbYZV

— Ripple (@Ripple) January 15, 2026

LMAX Group operates as a leading global cross-asset marketplace for FX and digital assets. The integration will enable LMAX’s global customer base, including top-tier banks, brokers, and buy-side institutions, to leverage RLUSD.

The stablecoin will support enhanced cross-collateralization and margin efficiencies across spot crypto, perpetual futures, and CFD trading. According to the press release from LMAX, Ripple will provide $150 million in debt financing to support LMAX’s long-term cross-asset growth strategy.

Meanwhile, whale transactions of $100,000 or more spiked to 2,802 on January 16, a three-month high according to Santiment data. Exchange balances rose 0.14%, suggesting profit-taking rather than panic selling among large holders.

XRP Ecosystem Gains Momentum Despite Price Pressure

Ripple and UC Berkeley launched the University Digital Asset Xcelerator (UDAX). The program bridges academia and real-world innovation to support the XRP ecosystem’s development.

South Korean exchange Upbit reported XRP as the country’s most traded digital asset in 2025. The exchange processed over $1 trillion in XRP volume, surpassing both Bitcoin and Ethereum in trading activity.

Chart analyst ChartNerd noted XRP is covering multiple possible scenarios. A short-term relief bounce remains expected in the current zone. However, losing the $2 level could open the door for further downside.

An updated price pathway has been outlined in case key support fails. Traders are urged to stay patient and follow the developing structure closely.

XRP Technical Indicators Signal Bearish Momentum

XRP currently trades at $2.0536, down 1.22% with volume at 48.96 million. The token faces immediate resistance at $2.09, the 50% Fibonacci retracement level, followed by $2.50 and $3.00.

Key support sits at the $2.00 psychological level. The next downside target rests at $1.91, the 78.6% Fibonacci retracement. Major support from previous consolidation appears around $1.50.

The MACD indicator shows a bearish crossover developing. The MACD line at 0.0312 sits below the signal line at 0.0331. The histogram reads negative at -0.0020, confirming weakening bullish momentum.

RSI stands at 49.79, just below the neutral 50 level. The indicator dropped from overbought territory near 75 in early 2026. No oversold conditions exist yet as RSI remains above 30.

Price currently trades below the 30-day SMA at $2.05. Volume increased significantly during the recent decline, with red volume bars intensifying. This pattern suggests distribution phase activity.

The chart shows XRP failed to hold above the 50% Fibonacci retracement. A break below $2.00 would likely trigger algorithmic sell orders clustered below this round number. Targets would cascade toward $1.91 with potential for 7-9% additional decline.

A reclaim above $2.09 with strong volume would invalidate the bearish structure. This could trigger a short squeeze toward $2.30-$2.50 resistance. The next 24-48 hours will determine whether this pullback extends into a deeper correction.

The technical bias remains bearish with XRP defending the critical $2.00 support level. Only a decisive reclaim of $2.09 would negate this outlook.