Crypto: XRP volume falls sharply

For as long as we have been promised this XRP rocket. Victory against the SEC? It's done. Partnerships? Multiples. ETFs? Launched. And yet, Ripple’s crypto is struggling to take off sustainably. What should have been fireworks turned out to be more like a wet fuse. Behind the beautiful announcements, the market speaks another language: that of disengagement. And the more the days pass, the more the dream of an “XRP to the moon” resembles a joke between nostalgic traders.

XRP on the rise, but without witness: when the market applauds in silence

On the charts, XRP is attempting a last stand. Between December 26 and 28, its price climbed to $1.87, for support at $1.86. We could believe in a recovery. But behind this increase lies a less rosy reality: the volume of transactions fell 37% in just 24 hours. A detail? Not really. Because in the crypto sphere, volume is the thermometer of conviction.

During festive periods, the markets slow down, it’s true. But history shows that some assets take advantage of liquidity troughs to surprise. This is not the case for XRP. The rise of precious metals was not enough to galvanize the crypto community, much less Ripple traders.

This drop in volume could well betray a growing disinterest or strategic weariness. And when the action is discreet, it is often because the capital has fled. Far. Towards projects perceived as more dynamic. The paradox? XRP is going up… but on its own. In an empty room, the applause does not resonate.

Under the varnish, the technical signals turn red

Beyond the bullish candlesticks, the indicators send a completely different message. The RSI, for example, shows a marked bearish divergence. In short: the price rises, but the momentum weakens. You don't need to be an expert to understand that this imbalance often heralds a sudden reversal.

To this is added another worrying indicator : the Open Interest on Binance, down to 450 million dollars. The lowest since November 2024. This figure reflects the quantity of derivative contracts still open. A drop of this magnitude? It reflects a massive disengagement of leveraged traders. Not a strategy. A leak.

Another hot spot: the $1.80 level, now a zone of tension. Crossing this symbolic threshold below could trigger a cascade of automatic sales, reinforcing the bearish scenario. A real test of resilience for Ripple.

And in the rest of the crypto ecosystem? No better. bitcoin is playing leapfrog below $90,000, unable to decide. The altcoin season? On break. And investors are scanning the horizon, their finger on the “exit” button.

Crypto industry: from narrative dreams to the discipline of fundamentals

Promises are no longer enough. In the crypto world, hype does not replace uses. Coinbase summed it up well: we are entering a phase where real activity will outweigh marketing stories. And in this new equation, projects like Ripple will have to demonstrate something other than press releases and ETF announcements.

The year 2025 had started well for XRP. Closure of litigation with the SEC, strategic acquisitions, product launches. Even artificial intelligences – ChatGPT, Grok, Perplexity – made their predictions. But as the months passed, the momentum diluted. The technical supports are giving way one by one. Optimism is crumbling.

And this is not specific to XRP. Other cryptos, although robust, are also struggling to rally the crowds. Year-end volatility acts as a confidence indicator. Or its absence.

Numerical benchmarks to remember about XRP and the current situation

• XRP price is trading at $1.91 at the time of writing;
• Volume fell 37% in 24 hours, reaching $1.06 billion;
• The RSI shows a bearish divergence on the weekly chart;
• Binance Open Interest Hits Low of $450 Million;
• The $1.80 threshold is considered a psychological pivot zone.

Crypto likes surprises, but at the end of the year, weariness seems to be gaining on the troops. At the same time, even the XRP ETFs, after 30 positive days, are now recording capital outflows. Seasonal fatigue or strategic repositioning? In any case, the timing is not trivial. Once again, collective psychology is ahead of the charts.