Can Bulls Defend $2.90 as Outflows Pressure Market?

XRP price today is trading close to $2.90, slipping after repeated failures to clear the $3.10 resistance zone. The token has been consolidating within a tightening triangle since mid-August, with sellers gradually forcing lower highs while buyers defend a base above $2.85.

This compression reflects indecision, as markets weigh fresh selling pressure against Ripple’s recent strategic partnerships, including its cross-chain alliance with Cardano. With volatility narrowing, traders expect a decisive breakout or breakdown in the coming sessions.

Technical Structure Shows Symmetrical Triangle Compression

On the 4-hour chart, XRP price action remains capped by descending resistance at $3.05–$3.10. The support base has formed near $2.85–$2.88, a zone that coincides with the lower boundary of the triangle pattern.

Exponential moving averages highlight the struggle for direction. The 20- and 50-EMAs cluster just above $2.98, while the 100- and 200-EMAs sit near $3.01 and $3.00, creating a congestion zone that has repeatedly stalled upside momentum.

Momentum indicators lean cautious. RSI has slipped to 40, suggesting bearish pressure without oversold extremes. MACD remains flat, underscoring a lack of directional conviction. XRP needs a close above $3.10 to escape compression,” warning that continued stalling could invite sellers back to $2.80.

Related: Solana Price Prediction: SOL Tests $215 as U.S. Blockchain Push Fuels Momentum

Exchange Outflows Highlight Bearish Pressure

On-chain data adds weight to the cautious outlook. Spot exchange flows show a net outflow of nearly $49.3 million on August 29, extending a multi-week trend of persistent selling. This distribution contrasts with the accumulation seen earlier in the quarter, when inflows briefly supported price above $3.30.

Bollinger Bands on the daily chart reinforce the narrative. XRP is trading near the lower band around $2.89, while Parabolic SAR signals remain bearish. With volatility compressed, a breakout move is likely soon, but the bias is currently skewed toward downside risk if flows remain negative.

Related: Cardano (ADA) Price Prediction and Analysis for August 30

Bulls Point to Institutional Catalysts, Bears Warn of Breakdown

Bulls argue that XRP’s partnership with Cardano could serve as a medium-term catalyst for liquidity and adoption. Ripple’s remittance infrastructure combined with ADA’s smart contracts has been positioned as a solution for institutional interoperability, which could attract capital inflows once the broader market stabilizes. Defending $2.85 support would keep this bullish narrative intact, with upside targets at $3.20 and $3.50 if momentum improves.

Bears counter with the reality of weakening flows and repeated resistance failures. They highlight that XRP has been rejected at $3.10 multiple times, while the compression pattern narrows into early September. A decisive break below $2.85 could expose $2.70 and even $2.50, where long-term EMAs provide the next layer of support.

XRP Short-Term Outlook: Compression Reaches Breaking Point

Heading into August 30, the short-term XRP price prediction hinges on whether bulls can defend the $2.85–$2.90 cluster. A bounce from this base could retest $3.10 quickly, but failure risks accelerating outflows and pushing price toward $2.70.

With RSI drifting lower and on-chain signals flashing distribution, the immediate bias tilts cautious. However, the triangle pattern is nearing resolution, and the next 24–48 hours are likely to define whether XRP confirms a bullish breakout or slips into deeper correction.

XRP Price Forecast Table