|

Stellar’s (XLM) rallies on volume surge before sharp intraday reversal

Stellar’s XLM token saw sharp volatility over the past 23 hours, swinging between $0.38 and $0.39 in a tight but active trading range. The token’s most explosive move came between 08:00–09:00 UTC, when XLM spiked from $0.38 to $0.39 on surging volume of 70 million—more than triple its 24-hour average.

Trading momentum carried through the following hour, with volume staying elevated above 60 million before the price consolidated near the upper band of the range.

The morning rally was fueled by a mix of technical activity and strengthening fundamentals. Notably, a recent DTCC patent filing referenced both XRP and XLM as compatible networks for liquidity tokenization within systems that handle nearly $4 quadrillion in securities annually.

Meanwhile, the Stellar Development Foundation said major payments and asset management firms are preparing to launch on the network in the coming weeks, a development coinciding with a ninefold increase in Stellar’s total value locked over the past year.

But bullish momentum quickly evaporated in the final session. Between 13:15 and 14:14 UTC, XLM slipped back from $0.39, erasing morning gains.

The sharpest selling hit around 13:45–13:47, when the token tumbled on heavy volume above 3.6 million. Activity slowed to zero in the last two minutes of trading, suggesting an institutional step back and potential short-term consolidation.

The whipsaw highlights crypto’s vulnerability to fast-shifting sentiment, even as institutional interest grows.

XLM’s morning breakout underscored enthusiasm around Stellar’s expanding ecosystem and validation from a critical financial market infrastructure player. Yet the intraday reversal reinforced how quickly optimism can give way to profit-taking, leaving traders cautious about near-term direction.

Technical indicators show mixed signals

  • Volume spike to 70.02 million during 08:00-09:00 builds strong resistance at $0.39 level.
  • Sustained heavy volume of 60.17 million through 09:00-10:00 confirms bullish momentum.
  • Consolidation around $0.39 suggests this zone becomes new support after breakout.
  • Final hour selling pressure on 3.6 million volume establishes new support zone around $0.39.
  • Zero trading volume in final two minutes points to institutional withdrawal.

Author

CoinDesk Analysis Team

CoinDesk is the media platform for the next generation of investors exploring how cryptocurrencies and digital assets are contributing to the evolution of the global financial system.

More from CoinDesk Analysis Team
Share:

Markets move fast. We move first.

Orange Juice Newsletter brings you expert driven insights - not headlines. Every day on your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to our Terms and conditions.

Editor's Picks

XRP steadies above $1.90 support as fund inflows and retail demand rise

Ripple (XRP) is stable above support at $1.90 at the time of writing on Monday, after several attempts to break above the $2.00 hurdle failed to materialize last week. Meanwhile, institutional interest in the cross-border remittance token has remained steady.

Cardano struggles to extend gains as retail interest wanes despite Midnight's NIGHT token launch

Cardano ticks higher after a bearish weekend, struggling to extend an upcycle within a descending wedge pattern. On-chain data shows an increase in trading volume and user activity after the Midnight side chain token launch.

Crypto Today: Bitcoin, Ethereum recover as XRP remains supported by ETF inflows

Bitcoin is trending up toward the pivotal $90,000 level at the time of writing on Monday, which marks four consecutive days of gains. Altcoins, including Ethereum and Ripple, are also rebounding above key short-term support levels.

Bitcoin nears $90,000 as recovery hopes clash with institutional outflows

Bitcoin is approaching the $90,000 resistance level at the time of writing on Monday, raising hopes of a short-term recovery. However, the bullish recovery is being challenged by weakening institutional demand, as evidenced by outflows from Spot ETFs.

Orange Juice Newsletter – Smart insights by real people. Every day.

A free newsletter highlighting key market trends to help traders stay a step ahead. Daily insights on the most relevant trading topics, compiled by our experts in an easy-to-read format so you never miss an important move.

Bitcoin: Fed delivers, yet fails to impress BTC traders

Bitcoin (BTC) continues de trade within the recent consolidation phase, hovering around $92,000 at the time of writing on Friday, as investors digest the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) cautious December rate cut and its implications for risk assets.