Published & Updated: January 30, 2026
XRP erased early-week gains and fell 6.2% to around $1.89 in Asian trading on January 30, 2026 — its sharpest single-day decline since mid-December 2025. The move came in lock-step with Bitcoin’s breakdown below $86,000 and broader altcoin weakness, but XRP underperformed peers due to two specific catalysts:
- The Federal Reserve’s January 28 decision to hold the federal funds rate at 3.50–3.75% (with Powell signaling no cuts likely before mid-2026) reinforced “higher-for-longer” liquidity expectations, strengthening the US dollar (DXY rebound above 96) and pressuring risk assets.
- The Senate Agriculture Committee’s narrow 12-11 approval of the CLARITY Act cryptocurrency market structure bill on January 29 exposed deep partisan divides — particularly on enforcement discretion and consumer protections — raising fears that Ripple-related regulatory uncertainty could persist even after legislation passes.
This article provides a detailed breakdown of the dual macro/regulatory drivers, technical levels (key supports at $1.77–$1.81), on-chain sentiment, Ripple-specific risks, and actionable trading setups on Tapbit for navigating the current risk-off phase.
XRP Price Action Timeline – January 2026 Key Moves
| Date (UTC) | XRP Price Range | Change | Key Trigger / Volume Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 27–28 | $2.04 → $1.98 | -2.9% | Pre-Fed caution + thin liquidity |
| Jan 29 (Senate vote day) | $1.98 → $1.93 | -2.5% | 12-11 CLARITY Act vote → regulatory uncertainty spike |
| Jan 30 (Asia session) | $1.93 → $1.89 (low $1.885) | -6.2% from Jan 28 high | Fed hold confirmation + BTC breakdown below $86K |
| Jan 30 (current) | ~$1.89–$1.91 | Stabilizing | Volume drying up; dip-buyers testing $1.89 |
The 6.2% drop was XRP’s largest single-day decline since the December 2025 post-ETF rally peak near $2.17.
Dual Catalysts: Fed Liquidity Squeeze + Senate CLARITY Act Partisan Split
1. Fed Rate Hold Reinforces Risk-Off Environment
- Powell’s January 28 press conference emphasized “not in a hurry” to cut → market repriced first 2026 cut to June (previously March/April)
- US Dollar Index (DXY) rebounded from four-year lows near 95.86 to stabilize above 96 → stronger dollar pressures all non-yielding assets
- Higher real yields increase opportunity cost of holding XRP and other high-beta altcoins
2. Senate CLARITY Act 12-11 Vote Exposes Regulatory Risks
- The narrow margin (12 Republicans + 1 Democrat crossover vs 11 Democrats) highlighted deep partisan divides on enforcement discretion, consumer protections, and CFTC vs SEC balance
- Ripple/XRP remains in ongoing SEC litigation (even after partial 2023 win); any perceived weakening of pro-crypto provisions in reconciliation raises uncertainty
- Democrats’ opposition focused on stablecoin yield rules and potential loopholes — issues that indirectly affect Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin ambitions
Technical Levels & Sentiment Indicators (XRP/USD – Jan 30)
Current ~$1.89–$1.91
- Immediate Support: $1.85–$1.87 (intraday low cluster)
- Critical Support: $1.77–$1.81 (Nov 2025 swing low + 0.618 Fib retracement from Dec high)
- Next Resistance: $1.98–$2.03 (prior breakout zone + 20-day EMA)
- RSI (Daily): ~42 → oversold, historically strong bounce zone
- Fear & Greed Index (crypto-wide): ~48 (Neutral) — XRP sentiment more fearful due to regulatory overlay
- Volume: Spike on downside candle → capitulation selling; drying up at lows → exhaustion
Trading Strategies & Positioning on Tapbit
- Create your Tapbit account (0% maker fees)
- Deposit USDT or JPY via bank transfer / P2P
- Dip accumulation: DCA XRP/USDT on pullbacks to $1.77–$1.81 (strong historical support)
- Relief rally play: Long XRP/USDT perpetuals on reclaim of $1.98–$2.03 (20–50x leverage, isolated margin)
- Macro hedge: Long XAU/USDT perpetuals if risk-off sentiment intensifies
- Risk control: Max 1–2% account risk per trade; trailing stops below $1.77
FAQs – XRP 6% Drop January 30, 2026
Why did XRP drop 6% on January 30?
Fed rate hold at 3.50–3.75% (no near-term cuts) strengthened the USD and pressured risk assets; Senate CLARITY Act’s narrow 12-11 vote exposed ongoing partisan regulatory uncertainty for Ripple/XRP.
Is $1.77 the next major support for XRP?
Yes — $1.77–$1.81 aligns with November 2025 swing low and 0.618 Fib retracement from December high. Holding here would signal potential local bottom.
How does the CLARITY Act vote affect XRP?
The tight vote highlights risks that Ripple-related regulatory clarity could be delayed or diluted in reconciliation. Any perceived weakening of pro-crypto provisions adds short-term uncertainty.
Should I buy XRP after the dip?
$1.77–$1.81 offers favorable risk/reward for DCA entries if you have high conviction. Confirmation above $1.98–$2.03 signals relief rally; break below $1.77 risks deeper test toward $1.60–$1.65.
Conclusion & Near-Term Outlook for XRP
XRP’s 6.2% drop to ~$1.89 on January 30, 2026 was driven by the Federal Reserve’s rate hold at 3.50–3.75% (no cuts likely before mid-2026) and the Senate Agriculture Committee’s narrow 12-11 approval of the CLARITY Act, which exposed deep partisan divides on enforcement and consumer protections — issues that indirectly affect Ripple’s regulatory outlook. Technicals show $1.77–$1.81 as the next major support cluster; holding there would signal potential local exhaustion, while a break opens risk toward $1.60–$1.65.
Trade XRP dips & regulatory volatility on Tapbit:
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency trading involves significant risk of loss. Prices are highly volatile and can change rapidly. Legislative outcomes and ETF flows are subject to change. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Always conduct your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose completely.
