• XRP offers signs of recovery above $3.00, backed by steady demand from large volume holders.
• Gemini launches XRP-focused Mastercard credit card offering up to 4% rewards on select purchases.
• Addresses holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP increase exposure, accounting for 11% of the total supply.

Ripple (XRP) offers recovery signs, trading at around $2.95 on Monday. Despite weak market sentiment led by Bitcoin’s (BTC) flash drop below $112,000, XRP has stayed above the critical $2.90 support since Friday’s macro-led recovery, which peaked at $3.12 over the weekend.

Interest in XRP remains relatively stable as shown by CoinGlass futures Open Interest (OI) data, which averaged at $8.33 billion at the time of writing. A steady increase in OI, which represents the notional value of outstanding futures and options contracts, underscores positive market sentiment.

XRP Futures Open Interest | Source: CoinGlass

Gemini launches XRP-focused credit card

Gemini, the cryptocurrency exchange founded by billionaire twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, has launched an XRP credit card in collaboration with Ripple. According to CoinDesk, the card is issued by WebBank and resembles other Gemini cash back cards. Holders of the card are eligible for rewards of up to 4% in XRP on select purchases such as fuel, electric vehicle (EV) charging and rideshare services. 

A 3% cashback will be extended to users who use the card for dining services, 2% on groceries and 1% on other services. Gemini is working on more collaborations with merchants, which could see users earn a reward of up to 10% on eligible purchases.

In addition to the XRP edition of its credit cards, Gemini is also expanding the use of Ripple USD (RLUSD) to customers in the United States (US). RLUSD, the dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Ripple, is now available as a base currency for all spot trading on the exchange.

“Fifty-five million Americans own crypto and that number is only increasing as more people look for easier ways to access and use it in their daily lives. With Gemini, we’re making everyday spending a chance to earn and connect with both XRP and RLUSD,” Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse said in a statement.

Whales increase exposure as XRP struggles 

XRP price has not been able to retest its record high of $3.66 reached on July 18, reflecting suppressed sentiment in the broader cryptocurrency market. Despite the price fluctuations between resistance at $3.38, tested on August 8, and support at $2.72, large-volume holders continue to increase exposure to the cross-border money remittance token.

According to Santiment’s data, addresses holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP have grown to hold approximately 10.6% of the total supply from 9.8% in early July and 9.14% in early March.

XRP Supply Distribution metric | Source: Santiment

If whales keep buying the dip, demand will eventually overwhelm supply, allowing bulls to curve out a recovery path above the immediate $3.00 resistance. Risk-on sentiment could strengthen in the upcoming weeks, backed by possible interest rate cuts in September.

Technical outlook: Bulls eye $3.00 breakout 

XRP is trading above its short-term support at $2.96 while printing another 4-hour green candle. A recovery above $3.00 could open the door for gains toward XRP’s record high of $3.66. 

The Relative Strength Index (RSI), which is stable above 40 but below the midline on the 4-hour chart below, backs the bullish outlook and the potential increase in buying pressure.

Key areas of interest for traders include a break above the $3.00 pivotal level, the 50-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA), the 100-period and the 200-period EMAs, which could serve as tentative support levels.

XRP/USDT 4-hour chart

Still, with the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) displaying a sell signal, triggered earlier in the day, influence from sellers should not be shrugged off. Traders may consider de-risking from XRP as long as the blue MACD line remains below the red signal line.