XRP pushed beyond $1.50, and Bitcoin climbed back above $85,000. The crypto market surged, and analysts moved quickly to assign a cause. The most common explanation centered on Michael Saylor’s Strategy, which purchased 950 Bitcoin worth roughly $80 million.
Crypto commentator and Crypto Crusaders creator Levi Rietveld sees it differently. His explanation contradicts the consensus view and warning about what comes next.
Strategy Gets Too Much Credit
Rietveld acknowledges the Strategy purchase. He also puts it in perspective. Strategy “bought hundreds of millions of dollars of Bitcoin before and it didn’t even move the markets.”
One $80 million buy doesn’t have the force needed to send XRP surging toward $1.50 alongside a broad market rally. For Rietveld, pointing to Strategy as the cause misses the driver entirely.
$XRP IS PUMPING BUT WHY? pic.twitter.com/wgnYU4Tnkc
— Levi | Crypto Crusaders (@LeviCryptoGuy) September 21, 2026
What Caused XRP’s Pump?
Rietveld is direct about his conclusion. He calls the current move “100% whale manipulation.” On the real reason behind the rally, he says it is “something most people have no idea about at all.”
Large market participants with the capital to shift prices have been active. In his view, their positioning explains the sharp price action far more convincingly than any single institutional purchase that previously produced no meaningful market reaction.
Whales Have Been Active in the Ecosystem
Whale activity in XRP has been elevated, with one notable whale recently adding to his XRP long position. Large wallet movements and concentrated buying pressure from major holders can drive the kind of rapid price action currently playing out.
When participants of that scale accumulate or reposition, markets move. Rietveld identifies this dynamic as the primary engine behind the current rally. He gives little weight to corporate treasury buying as a standalone explanation.
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What Rietveld Expects to Follow
Two competing explanations exist for the same price action. Many analysts credit institutional accumulation, continued buying from companies like Strategy, and general market momentum. While XRP and other prominent analysts have seen notable institutional demand, Rietveld credits whale manipulation.
Rietveld closes with a warning. He says, “99% of you aren’t ready for what comes next.” He doesn’t specify the outcome in this clip, but the urgency in his statement is clear. If whale manipulation is the actual force behind this rally, the next move depends on what those large players do with their positions.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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