XRP struggled to maintain momentum above the $3.00 threshold on September 9–10, with heavy institutional selling wiping out early gains. Despite a push to $3.035, volume-driven liquidation erased upside attempts and pulled the asset back to $2.94 by session close. The move is indicative of mounting resistance near $3.02, even as traders weigh ETF catalysts and rising exchange reserves that may temper bullish momentum. News Background • Federal Reserve’s September 17 meeting is expected to deliver a 25-basis-point rate cut, with markets assigning near-certainty to the outcome — a potential liquidity driver for risk assets.• Six XRP spot ETF applications await SEC review in October, a decision traders see as pivotal for institutional adoption.• Exchange custody balances for XRP hit a 12-month peak, raising concerns about near-term selling pressure despite whale accumulation patterns in recent weeks.• Analysts note parallels to XRP’s July breakout failure, suggesting market structure is again being tested at the $3.00 barrier. Price Action Summary • XRP traded in a $0.10 band (2.9%) from $2.935 to $3.035 between September 9 at 03:00 and September 10 at 02:00.• Token advanced to $3.035 during morning trading but faced immediate rejection near $3.02 resistance.• A 14:00 selloff dropped XRP from $3.018 to $2.956 on 165.67M volume — nearly triple the daily average.• Price consolidated into the close between $2.94 and $2.96, with subdued activity averaging 650k volume per minute. Technical Analysis • Resistance: $3.02–$3.04 level capped upside, with multiple rejections on high volume.• Support: $2.94 zone tested and held, suggesting accumulation by institutional players.• Momentum: RSI shows early bullish divergence, but exchange reserves at highs weigh on follow-through.• Structure: Failed breakout implies consolidation within $2.94–$3.00 unless volume returns.• Range: 3% intraday swings highlight institutional-driven volatility. What Traders Are Watching • Whether XRP can sustain closes above $2.95 to build momentum for a $3.02 breakout.• Exchange custody balances at 12-month highs — will inflows convert to sustained selling pressure?• SEC’s October ETF rulings, which could act as a structural catalyst if approvals land.• Fed’s September 17 rate cut decision, with traders positioning for its impact on dollar liquidity.• Whale inflows — 340M tokens accumulated in recent weeks — and whether buying offsets exchange distribution.