On February 28, 2026, the cryptocurrency market endured a deep rout as global risk assets sold off sharply following a sudden geopolitical escalation in the Middle East. At the center of the turmoil, XRP plunged roughly 10% intraday, mirroring a widespread retreat from risky assets and highlighting how macro forces can overwhelm even well-supported tokens.
Geopolitical Shock Triggers Risk-Off Panic
In the early hours of Saturday, reports circulated that Israeli forces had launched strikes against Iranian targets, dramatically escalating tensions in an already volatile region. The news ignited a swift risk-off reaction across financial markets: equities weakened sharply, bond yields fluctuated, and digital assets faced indiscriminate selling as traders sought safety.
This sudden shift rattled crypto markets, triggering more than $100 million in long liquidations in minutes and driving Bitcoin below $65,000, which set the tone for broader crypto declines, including XRP.
XRP’s sell-off today stemmed directly from this macro risk aversion. With investors abandoning risk assets, XRP’s beta to broader market sentiment turned from a strength into a vulnerability.
Altcoins are prone to more pronounced price movements during periods of market stress, and XRP was similarly affected in this instance. As capital fled into safe havens like gold and the U.S. dollar strengthened, XRP’s price bled downward alongside other major tokens.
Correlations and Liquidations Amplified the Drop
The broader crypto market’s response to geopolitical uncertainty revealed how tightly digital assets remain linked to global risk appetite. Strength in traditional safe havens and weakness in equities weighed on crypto sentiment, with total crypto market capitalization contracting significantly as traders rushed to de-risk.
In such environments, XRP often exhibits magnified volatility because it tends to correlate strongly with major indices and derivatives positioning. Forced liquidations added urgency to selling pressure, as algorithms and stop-loss orders converted technical breakdowns into cascading losses.
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The mechanical impact of liquidations proved consequential. With open interest in futures and perpetual markets retreating, many leveraged positions were unwound automatically, intensifying downward momentum across the market. Across crypto, this chain reaction underscores how sentiment and positioning, not fundamentals alone, can drive dramatic price swings.
Technical Weakness and Macro Spillover
Even before today’s events, XRP had been vulnerable. It traded below key short-term levels and lacked strong technical support, leaving it exposed when macro stress hit. As broader markets reacted to inflation data and geopolitical uncertainties, technical breakdowns in Bitcoin and other major assets transmitted downward pressure to XRP.
This confluence of weaker positioning and a fragile macro backdrop set the stage for a steeper drop once headlines shifted risk sentiment.
What This Means for XRP’s Near-Term
The sudden 10% drop in XRP today reflects external stress, not a fundamental breakdown in XRP’s utility or adoption story. Its payment infrastructure and institutional interest remain intact, but in moments of acute fear, XRP behaves like a risk asset.
Until geopolitical tensions ease and risk appetite returns, markets — including XRP — are likely to remain unsettled. Traders and investors will watch support levels closely, seeking signs of stabilization before believing that recovery can begin.
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 should do in-depth 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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