XRP SURGES 18% BUT SURRENDERS HALF ITS GAINS AS SHORT-TERM HOLDERS BOOK PREMATURE PROFITS

XRP’s attempt at a major technical breakout faced a significant setback as of February 15, 2026. The token surged nearly 18.7% intraday, fueled by renewed market interest, only to surrender half of those gains as investors rushed to lock in “premature” profits. Currently trading near $1.53, the price action is being heavily influenced by short-term holders who are offloading supply at the first sign of a rally. On-chain data confirms a steady flow of XRP onto exchanges, suggesting that while bullish interest is returning, a lack of deep conviction among recent buyers is reinforcing resistance near the $1.62 mark. The 18% Surge and the Rapid Retracement XRP’s volatile price action during the latest session highlights the fragile nature of the current recovery attempt. Intraday Peak: The token briefly tested higher levels with an 18.7% advance, marking one of its most aggressive moves in weeks.The Long Wick: The rally was quickly met with a wave of distribution, leaving a long upper wick on the daily candle. This structure typically signals that the market is struggling to absorb the sell-side pressure encountered at higher price points.Settlement Zone: After the retracement, XRP settled with a more modest 9% gain, reflecting a tug-of-war between new demand and profit-booking from existing holders. Short-Term Holder Dominance and Exchange Inflows On-chain metrics provide a clearer picture of why the rally failed to sustain its upward trajectory. Exchange Net Position Change: Data shows consistent green bars, indicating that more XRP is being moved to exchanges. This behavior is a classic signal of intent to sell, especially during price recoveries, as investors seek to exit or minimize losses after weeks of volatility.The MVRV Gap: The MVRV Long/Short Difference remains at low readings, confirming that short-term holders are currently more profitable than long-term investors. Because these “fast-money” participants are highly reactive, their profit-taking often caps rallies before they can reach major structural targets. Technical Roadmap: Reclaiming $1.62 for a $1.76 Target XRP is currently navigating a pivotal support-resistance flip that will determine its near-term direction. Immediate Support: The token must secure $1.51 as a support floor to prevent a slide back into the lower $1.40 range.Resistance Barrier: The next major hurdle for bulls is a decisive breakout above $1.62. Clearing this level would improve the technical structure and attract the momentum needed to target the $1.76 supply zone.Downside Risk: If profit-taking intensifies and the $1.51 support fails, XRP remains vulnerable to a pullback toward the $1.36 Fibonacci level. Essential Financial Disclaimer This analysis is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Reports of a failed 18% XRP rally and the behavior of short-term holder cohorts are based on market data and on-chain analysis as of February 15, 2026. Price surges and technical patterns like long wicks are probabilistic and do not guarantee future performance. XRP is a high-risk asset subject to extreme volatility; the rapid surrender of 50% of intraday gains highlights the potential for sudden capital loss. Always conduct your own exhaustive research (DYOR) and consult with a licensed financial professional before making significant investment decisions in Ripple or XRP.

Do you think the “premature” profit-taking is just a minor speed bump, or is the $1.62 resistance an unbreakable wall for XRP?