The Crypto Basic

Ripple is significantly expanding its footprint in Brazil, positioning itself as a one-stop provider of blockchain-based financial infrastructure in the country. 

According to a blog post, the company now delivers a complete institutional stack, covering payments, custody, stablecoins, prime brokerage, and treasury management, tailored to one of the world’s fastest-growing financial ecosystems. 

Key Points 

• Ripple is accelerating its expansion in Brazil, positioning itself as a one-stop provider of blockchain-based financial infrastructure.
• The company now delivers a full institutional stack, spanning payments, custody, stablecoins, prime brokerage, and treasury management.
• It also plans to seek a VASP license from the Central Bank of Brazil. 
• XRPL dUNL validator Vet emphasizes that stablecoins complement XRP, highlighting how Braza Bank’s BBRL uses XRP as a bridge currency on the ledger.

Ripple Deepens Commitment in Brazil 

This expansion marks a turning point in Brazil’s institutional finance landscape, as demand for efficient cross-border payments, digital asset infrastructure, and compliant financial tools continues to rise. 

Notably, Ripple confirms that it now provides a seamless, end-to-end financial stack by integrating its core offerings into a unified platform that supports the full lifecycle of institutional operations. 

Ripple is going all-in on Brazil 🇧🇷: https://t.co/6nyoBmE0wq

💸 Ripple Payments: $100B+ processed, 60+ markets, live with Banco Genial, Braza Bank, Nomad, Azify & more
🔐 Ripple Custody: Recently launched in Brazil with CRX
💰 Ripple Treasury: Decades of corporate treasury…

— Ripple (@Ripple) March 17, 2026

Ripple Payments 

At the core of this ecosystem is Ripple Payments, which enables fast and transparent global transactions across more than 60 markets. Consequently, Brazilian institutions, including Braza Bank, Banco Genial, Azify, and Nomad, are already leveraging the network to streamline USD flows, enhance liquidity, and integrate stablecoins like RLUSD into settlement processes.

Ripple Custody 

Building on this foundation, Ripple confirmed that it had already introduced its enterprise-grade custody solution, Ripple Custody, to the region. This platform combines robust security with integrated compliance tools and tokenization, enabling institutions such as Justoken and CRX to manage and scale digital asset operations securely. 

Treasury and Brokerage Platforms 

In addition, Ripple strengthens its presence through prime brokerage services via Hidden Road, now rebranded as Ripple Prime. This offering gives institutions access to deep liquidity, multi-asset trading, and efficient clearing. At the same time, Ripple Treasury enables firms to optimize capital, manage risk, and execute real-time global payments more effectively.

RLUSD Stablecoin Gains Traction in Brazil 

Meanwhile, Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, continues to gain traction across Brazil. The company notes that RLUSD has already surpassed a $1.5 billion market cap and is regulated under dual oversight from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS). Consequently, the stablecoin has become deeply integrated into the Brazilian market.

Currently, platforms such as Foxbit, Mercado Bitcoin, Attrus, Banco Genial, and Braza Bank support RLUSD, providing millions of users across Latin America with access to a regulated, enterprise-grade digital dollar.

It’s worth mentioning that these offerings form a fully integrated financial ecosystem. Therefore, Ripple claims to be the only provider in Brazil capable of delivering end-to-end institutional solutions, ranging from payments and custody to trading and treasury management. 

Stablecoin Complements XRP Role 

Although the blog post highlights RLUSD’s role in Brazil, it does not mention XRP, which has fueled concerns that the stablecoin could threaten the token. 

However, XRPL dUNL validator Vet rejects this narrative, stressing that the Brazilian real-backed BBRL, issued by Braza Bank, actively uses XRP as a bridge currency on the network’s decentralized exchange.

At first glance, the rise of stablecoins like BBRL may appear competitive. However, the mechanics of the XRP Ledger show otherwise, as stablecoins and XRP function in a complementary, not conflicting, role, according to Vet.

Ripple Seeks to Obtain VASP License in Brazil 

In the meantime, Ripple plans to apply for a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) license with the Central Bank of Brazil (BCB). This move reinforces its compliance-first approach and signals a long-term commitment to the region, one that could further accelerate Brazil’s emergence as a global leader in the digital asset economy. 

XRP is quietly approaching a critical moment in its long-term structure, as recent price behavior suggests a rare formation may be nearing completion. 

Notably, XRP has shown bullish momentum over the past few days, rallying considerably to reach an over-one-month high of $1.60. While short-term volatility continues to dominate proceedings, a broader view of the chart reveals a pattern that has been developing over several months.

Key Points

• XRP is quietly approaching a critical moment in its long-term structure, as recent price behavior suggests a rare formation may be nearing completion
• The current structure resembles a triple-bottom pattern spanning multiple phases within a broader ABC formation.
• The current phase is a corrective sequence, with prices gradually moving through what could be the final leg of this structure.
• A key area to watch sits near the $0.91 region, as it aligns with previous demand, a major Fibonacci retracement level, and the lower boundary of the broader structure.
• While the lower range defines potential support, the first sign of structural strength sits at the $1.65 price level.
• Reclaiming this level on a higher timeframe would suggest that XRP has broken the descending structure.

XRP Shapes Within Rare Multi-Cycle Structure

Market technician EGRAG Crypto highlighted that from a macro perspective, XRP appears to be forming a multi-cycle base, with price repeatedly stabilizing at a similar price level before attempting to move higher. These types of formations tend to emerge over extended periods and often signal a transition phase.

When zoomed out, the current structure resembles a triple-bottom pattern spanning multiple phases. Each base reflects a period where selling pressure weakened and demand began to stabilize price action. Over time, this creates a foundation that can support a larger directional move if confirmed.

Meanwhile, EGRAG noted that XRP appears to be nearing the final phase of this formation. The current phase is a corrective sequence, with price gradually moving through what could be the final leg of this structure. This has seen XRP trade within a descending wedge in a broader ABC pattern.

For context, wave A formed when XRP dropped from its January 2025 peak of $3.39 in January 2025 to $1.61 in April 2025. The B wave followed, pushing the coin back to its current ATH of $3.6 in July 2025. The final C wave is currently in play within the descending channel.

Key Levels to Watch

According to EGRAG, a key area to watch sits near the $0.91 region. This zone aligns with previous demand, a major Fibonacci retracement level, and the lower boundary of the broader structure, making it a crucial level for prices. If the XRP price revisits this area, it could act as a final bottom before a shift in momentum.

While the lower range defines potential support, the first sign of structural strength sits much higher. The market technician noted that moving above $1.65 is the first macro signal that a bullish reversal is on course.

Reclaiming this level on a higher timeframe would suggest that XRP has broken the descending structure, indicating that the prolonged corrective phase may be ending. In many cases, this type of shift marks the transition from consolidation into a new upward phase.

If that transition unfolds, the broader structure begins to open toward higher targets, guided by long-term cycle dynamics. EGRAG’s chart shows a possible breach of the major resistance at $3.53 before a sustained move towards the 1.618 Fibonacci level at $0.64.

A large crypto trader known as Auros has captured the attention of the XRP community after opening a sizable leveraged long position in the token. 

The position, valued at $7.73 million, is already in significant profit. Despite these gains, the trader remains confident.

Key Points

• A major trader, Auros, holds a $7.73 million long position in XRP.
• The trader entered the position at around $1.39 and has already realized gains exceeding $618,000.
• The transaction suggests roughly 2x leverage, avoiding an overleveraged position.
• XRP trades at $1.53, with total liquidations reaching $12.79 million over the past 24 hours.

Trader with Massive XRP Long Bets Faces $618,000 in Unrealized Profit

The XRP position held by the pseudonymous trader Auros continues to draw interest across the community, not only for its size but also for its structured approach. The trader opened the trade at $1.39, and the position has already generated over $618,000 in unrealized profit.

Notably, the trade has no defined liquidation price, highlighting relatively low leverage exposure. With a total account value of $15.93 million and a notional position size of $7.73 million, it suggests the trader may be using roughly 2x leverage, avoiding an overleveraged position.

“Smart Money Don’t Panic”

The move has sparked discussion among XRP proponents. A community figure, Xaif, described the strategy as a “smart money” approach, in which traders enter at favorable levels and let trades develop without reacting emotionally to short-term volatility.

Moreover, the lack of a visible liquidation level suggests the trader managed the position conservatively. This reduces the risk of forced liquidation during market swings and may further reflect confidence in XRP’s upside potential.

XRP Revisits $1.5 as Liquidation Tops $12.79M

Meanwhile, this development aligns with a recent rebound in XRP’s recent price rebound. After facing sustained pressure, the token recovered and climbed to $1.60 earlier today before retracing to $1.53.

Despite the slight pullback, short traders were dealt a heavy blow, accounting for $9.06 million of the $12.79 million in leveraged liquidations recorded over the past 24 hours.

Nonetheless, analysts still expect the uptrend to continue, potentially driven by increasing adoption. This momentum is evident as the XRP Ledger reaches a 13-year high of 7.7 million non-empty wallets.

Moreover, active addresses have surged to a five-week high of 46,767, further signaling rising user participation and strengthening network activity.

The XRP orderbook on Coinbase shows it is now about nine times easier to push XRP to $2.25 from the current price than to take it to $0.75. 

The current XRP orderbook structure shows an imbalance that favors upward movement. Data reveals that buy-side liquidity massively outweighs sell-side liquidity within a 50% price range, making it relatively easier to push XRP from the current price of $1.5 to $2.25 than it is to take it to $0.75.

Key Points

• The XRP orderbook on Coinbase shows a 9:1 bid-to-ask ratio within a 50% price range at $1.5, marking the strongest buy-side skew in nearly one year.
• Sell-side liquidity above $1.50 up to $2 remains thin, leaving a relatively open path toward higher price levels.
• Meanwhile, XRP sees strong and layered buy walls below $1.5, especially between $1.4 and $1.2, that could cushion any price declines.
• As a result, driving the XRP price from $1.5 to $2.25 is currently 9x easier than pushing it to $0.75.

XRP Faces Weak Resistance and Strong Support

This is according to recent data shared by order book expert Dom. Notably, his accompanying Coinbase chart covers the period from March 13 to March 17, showing four days of price movement and liquidity activity, as XRP initially dropped toward $1.45 before recovering to trade above the $1.53 level.

Data from the orderbook heatmap indicates that above the current price, the area between $1.5 and $2 shows few sell orders. The lack of resistance suggests that the price can move upward more easily, as there are fewer barriers to slow it down. 

However, below the current price, the situation is very different. Specifically, the heatmap indicates that the area from $1.4 down to $1.2 features strong buy-side liquidity. Some of the most important support zones appear around $1.38 to $1.4, which also held as support during the earlier consolidation phase. 

Extreme 9:1 Bid Skew Shows Strong Bullish Setup for XRP

In his recent analysis, Dom focused on the orderbook structure within a 50% price range around the current level. This range covers about $0.75 on the downside and $2.25 on the upside, based on the $1.50 price level. 

Within this range, the data shows the strongest bid skew seen in nearly one year on Coinbase’s XRP spot market. Specifically, the current bid-to-ask ratio stands at around 9:1. This means that for every $1 of sell orders above the price, there are about $9 of buy orders below it. 

For context, in a balanced market, this ratio would be near 1:1, while even a slightly bullish market might show 1.5:1 or 2:1. Essentially, a 9:1 ratio shows a very strong advantage for buyers.

Now, for XRP to drop to $0.75, sellers would need to push through large buy walls at $1.40, $1.35, $1.30, $1.25, $1.20, and lower levels. Each of these levels represents strong demand. On the other hand, a move toward $2.25 would require breaking through a much thinner layer of sell orders, making the upward move easier.

What Does This Mean for XRP?

The recent price recovery and strong bid skew confirm that XRP currently witnesses a bullish setup. Notably, there is limited resistance above the current price and strong support below, which gives the market a better chance of moving higher, possibly toward $2.25.

However, it is important to stay cautious. Orderbook data only shows current limit orders, and traders can manipulate these orders at any time. Even with the strong 9:1 imbalance, the conditions can change quickly. Despite this