XRP under heaviest selling pressure in 2026 derivatives market

XRP is currently experiencing its strongest selling pressure via the derivatives market of the entire year 2026. Despite a price increase of around 70% in a short time, more and more traders are opening short positions on Binance. At the same time, XRP is holding above $1.40, which according to analyst Darkfost_Coc results in a serious test of strength between demand on the spot market and pressure from futures.

In brief:

• Net taker volume on Binance reached a selling pressure of -$96 million, the lowest level of 2026.
• XRP rose by around 70% along with the broad altcoin recovery, which collectively added $183 billion in market value.
• XRP’s open interest on Binance simultaneously increased by 14.8%.

Altcoin rally attracts speculators

The broader altcoin market recently experienced a significant rally, driven by Bitcoin’s price rise. The total market value of all altcoins combined, measured via the Total 2 index, increased by more than $183 billion in a few days, a gain of approximately 20%.

XRP benefited more than average from this, with a rise of approximately 70% over the same period. That rally also attracted speculators who were betting on a price decline. According to previous analyses, such a reaction from the derivatives market after sharp altcoin rises was already anticipated.

Record selling pressure on Binance

On Binance, which dominates the futures market for XRP, net taker volume reached its weakest point of 2026. Selling pressure rose to -$96 million, while XRP’s price simultaneously returned above $1. Open interest increased by 14.8% in the same period, indicating that new positions are being actively opened.

Darkfost_Coc describes the current situation as a tug of war between buyers on the spot market and sellers in the derivatives market. Which side wins will determine, according to him, XRP’s next major price move. For now, the price is holding above $1.40, but the outcome remains uncertain.