Record XRP Withdrawals From Upbit Exchange Lift 20% Rally Prospects

Seoul, March 19 2026 – Ripple’s native token (XRP) has slipped roughly 10 % over the last 72 hours, yet analysts see the dip as a typical retest that often follows a breakout. The price action coincides with an unprecedented wave of XRP withdrawals from South Korea’s Upbit platform, a development that many interpret as a sign of renewed accumulation ahead of a potential 20 % upside move.

Technical backdrop: Bull‑flag breakout in play

After carving a bullish flag on the daily chart last week, XRP retraced on Thursday, testing the former upper trend line that now functions as a support level. The region around the mid‑$1.40s—aligned with the 20‑day exponential moving average—acts as the key barrier. Should the token stay above this zone, the flag’s continuation target sits near $1.70‑$1.72, roughly a 20 % premium to current levels.

Bull‑flag formations typically feature a sharp rally followed by a consolidation channel that slopes downward. A decisive close above the channel’s upper boundary converts the previous resistance into new support, and a subsequent pull‑back to that level is commonly observed before the next leg upward.

On‑chain activity: Upbit withdrawals set a new high

CryptoQuant’s on‑chain metrics reveal that XRP is leaving exchanges at a pace not seen since the start of 2025. Since December 2025, wallets of virtually every size class have progressively transferred XRP off exchange custodians, easing immediate sell pressure.

The pattern mirrors a similar surge in withdrawals from Korean exchanges between 2021 and early 2023. That historic build‑up preceded a dramatic rally that saw XRP surge from sub‑$1 levels to beyond $3—a gain of around 500 %.

Upbit, long regarded as a barometer for Korean retail sentiment, now ranks fourth globally in terms of XRP trading volume when measured in South Korean won (KRW). The platform’s heightened withdrawal activity suggests that traders are positioning for a longer‑term hold rather than short‑term speculation.

Whale flow dynamics turn positive

Whale‑level flows have also begun to tilt in the opposite direction. After a prolonged period of net outflows throughout 2024 and early 2025, the 90‑day average whale flow crossed into positive territory this week. Historically, a shift from negative to positive whale flow has corresponded with the early stages of trend reversals and accumulation phases.

A comparable turn in whale behavior was evident during the April‑September 2025 rally, when XRP climbed from roughly $2.20 to $3.55. The renewed inflow hints that large holders may be reducing distribution and re‑accumulating positions.

Key takeaways

• Technical outlook – XRP is retesting support at the mid‑$1.40s after a bull‑flag breakout; holding above this level keeps the upside target near $1.70‑$1.72, implying about a 20 % gain.
• Exchange outflows – Upbit’s XRP withdrawal volume has hit a record high, mirroring past accumulation phases that preceded strong rallies.
• Whale behavior – The 90‑day whale flow metric has flipped positive, a signal that large holders might be shifting from selling to buying.
• Historical precedent – Similar withdrawal surges and whale flow reversals in 2021‑2023 and early 2025 preceded rallies of 300‑500 % in XRP price.

While the recent dip adds a layer of short‑term risk, the convergence of technical support, record exchange withdrawals, and positive whale flows strengthens the case for a near‑term rally. Market participants should continue to monitor Upbit activity, whale metrics, and price action around the $1.40 support zone for further clues.

Disclaimer: This piece provides analysis only and does not constitute investment advice. Readers should conduct their own due diligence before making any trading decisions.

Source: https://cointelegraph.com/news/xrp-signals-20-percent-rally-record-korean-exchange-withdrawals?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_partner_inbound