XRP is pushing higher toward $1.38 as Japan's e-commerce giant Rakuten begins integrating the token into its massive payments ecosystem, according to coindesk.com.
The integration allows Rakuten’s 44 million users to spend and earn XRP through the company's loyalty points system. Users can also hold the token within the Rakuten Wallet, facilitating use across more than 5 million merchants.
This move connects XRP to one of Japan’s largest rewards networks, where over $23 billion in points are currently in circulation. Ripple described the integration as one of the most significant milestones for XRP adoption, reinforcing its expansion into Asian markets alongside partnerships like SBI Ripple Asia.
Market momentum and technical resistance
Trading volume has supported the recent price climb, which saw XRP move from $1.32 to $1.38. The breakout occurred after the token cleared a resistance zone between $1.325 and $1.33.
Whale accumulation and rising open interest suggest significant positioning is building behind the move. However, the rally has not yet confirmed a sustained bullish reversal, as XRP continues to trade within a broader downtrend channel.
Traders are now closely monitoring $1.37 as a key pivot point. A break above the $1.40 to $1.42 range is required to signal stronger upside momentum.
Conversely, a drop below $1.32 to $1.30 would likely invalidate the current breakout. While short-term momentum is improving, ETF outflows and continued realized losses suggest that long-term conviction remains mixed.
