XRP Exchange Supply Hits 8-Year Low in 2026 as $2 Hurdle Persists

The available sell-side inventory for XRP is evaporating. As of January 2, 2026, exchange-held supply has plummeted to its lowest level since 2018. While this signals a tightening supply narrative, a heavy wall of resistance at $2.00 remains the ultimate test for bulls.

XRP Exchange Supply 2026 Analysis: A 57% Drawdown

According to CoinDesk data, XRP climbed to $1.87 as supply on trading venues fell to roughly 1.6 billion tokens. This represents a staggering 57% decrease since October, suggesting that holders are moving assets into cold storage or long-term custody. This "supply shock" potential is building, but the price action remains capped.

Trading volume spiked 50% above average during the intraday push, yet the rally stalled near the $1.88 mark. This region, leading up to the psychological $2.00 handle, has become a fortress for sellers. Without a decisive break above this ceiling, the tightening exchange supply remains a background story rather than a price catalyst.

Institutional Moves and Macro Headwinds

The broader market is witnessing significant moves. Tether recently added 8,888 BTC to its reserves, worth nearly $800 million. This part of their Q4 2025 profit allocation brings their total holdings above 96,000 BTC. However, the Federal Reserve’s latest minutes show concern over liquidity in short-term funding markets, creating a cautious atmosphere for risk assets like XRP.