XRP traded at $1.85 on Saturday as traders sold into rallies despite steady institutional demand.
Spot XRP exchange-traded fund assets reached $1.25 billion following recent inflows of $8.19 million.
Bitcoin's (BTC) attempted recovery stalled near resistance during U.S. trading hours.
The disconnect between price action and institutional accumulation signals choppy near-term conditions.
What Happened
XRP remained pinned in a $1.85 to $1.91 trading range as sellers defended the $1.90 resistance zone.
Volume spiked 76% above average during price rejection attempts near $1.91.
Institutional investors added $8.19 million to spot XRP ETF products in recent sessions.
Total ETF-held net assets climbed to $1.25 billion since the funds launched in November.
The seven consecutive weeks of ETF inflows demonstrate steady professional demand through structured products.
Portfolio managers increasingly prefer regulated vehicles that reduce custody and compliance friction over direct spot holdings.
Bitcoin declined to $87,500 Friday, down 1.67% over 24 hours.
The largest cryptocurrency failed to sustain momentum above $90,000 despite Federal Reserve liquidity injections.
Read also: Bitcoin Struggles Below $90K As Futures Open Interest Drops
Why It Matters
XRP's price consolidation despite growing ETF assets highlights the disconnect between institutional accumulation and near-term trading dynamics.
Professional investors build positions through regulated products while short-term traders distribute at overhead resistance.
The $1.86 support level held on multiple retests, preventing downside follow-through.
Failure to reclaim $1.87 to $1.88 keeps the token vulnerable to a slide toward the $1.77 to $1.80 demand zone.
A close above $1.90 would likely force short-covering toward $1.95 to $2.00.
Broader market weakness from Bitcoin's stalled recovery contributes to range-bound conditions across major cryptocurrencies.
Read next: Coinbase CEO Says Reopening GENIUS Act Is 'Red Line' Amid Bank Lobbying Against Stablecoin Yields
