XRP climbs toward $1.38 as Japan's Rakuten integrates token for payments
TL;DR
XRP is rising towards $1.38 as Japan's Rakuten integrates it for payments, allowing 44 million users to spend XRP at over 5 million merchants. This integration enhances XRP's real-world usage and adoption narrative.
Key points
- XRP is rising towards $1.38.
- Rakuten integrates XRP into its payments app.
- 44 million users can spend XRP at over 5 million merchants.
- Users can buy XRP using loyalty points.
- Integration boosts XRP's adoption narrative.
XRP is pushing higher again, with volume confirming the move, but it still has to prove this is more than a short-term breakout. The rally is holding for now, and the addition of real-world usage through Rakuten gives it a stronger narrative than recent moves.
News Background
• Japan’s e-commerce giant Rakuten is integrating XRP into its payments app, allowing 44 million users to spend it across more than 5 million merchants. Users can also buy XRP using loyalty points and hold it within Rakuten Wallet, embedding the token into a major consumer ecosystem.
• The move ties XRP into one of Japan’s largest rewards systems, where over $23 billion worth of points are in circulation. Ripple called it one of the most significant milestones for XRP adoption, reinforcing its push into Asia alongside long-standing partnerships like SBI Ripple Asia.
Price Action Summary
• XRP moved from $1.32 to $1.38, breaking out of the $1.325-$1.33 resistance zone on strong volume.
• The rally built gradually with sustained buying rather than a single spike, indicating accumulation.
• Price is now consolidating just below $1.38, holding gains but not yet extending into a fresh leg higher.
Technical Analysis
• The breakout stands out because of volume. The move was backed by clear participation, not thin liquidity.
• Whale accumulation and rising open interest show positioning is building behind the move.
• Despite this, XRP is still trading within a broader downtrend channel, so the structure has not fully flipped bullish.
• ETF outflows and continued realized losses suggest longer-term conviction remains mixed even as short-term momentum improves.
What traders should watch
• $1.37 is now the key pivot. Holding above it keeps the breakout intact and supports continuation.
• $1.40 to $1.42 remains the real test. A clean break here would shift momentum more meaningfully.
• A move back below $1.32 to $1.30 would invalidate the breakout and return XRP to its prior range.
Q&A
How is Rakuten integrating XRP for payments?
Rakuten is integrating XRP into its payments app, enabling users to spend it at over 5 million merchants and buy it using loyalty points.
What impact does Rakuten's integration have on XRP adoption?
The integration ties XRP into a major consumer ecosystem, significantly boosting its adoption in Japan and reinforcing Ripple's efforts in Asia.
How many users can spend XRP through Rakuten's app?
Rakuten's app allows 44 million users to spend XRP, enhancing its usability and market presence.
