XRP has demonstrated a notable market resurgence in the initial part of 2025.
With average daily spot trading volumes reaching $3.2 billion and peaking above an impressive $16 billion during intense trading periods in January and February.
This significant uptick in market performance is paralleled by increasing apprehension regarding a slowdown in its fundamental on-chain metrics, suggesting a potential disconnect between market enthusiasm and the cryptocurrency’s actual blockchain utilization.
This disparity prompts an essential question: Is XRP’s current momentum a sign of genuine growth or primarily driven by market sentiment?
Analyzing XRP’s Price Movements and Trading Dynamics in Q1 2025
Over the preceding twelve months, XRP has achieved a remarkable 298.8% appreciation in value, which includes a 26.9% increase in the last 30 days alone.
A particularly significant surge was observed between January 10 and 17, when XRP’s value climbed by 44.89%, reaching a specific high of $3.4 on January 16.
As of the latest data, XRP is trading around $2.14, marking a 2.5% increase on the day.
While the asset’s price continues on an upward trajectory, the sustainability of this momentum remains a subject of observation.
Institutional and Retail Demand Fueling XRP’s Market Performance
The substantial trading volumes associated with XRP indicate strong engagement from both institutional investors and individual retail traders.
Notably, investment vehicles linked to XRP have attracted inflows amounting to $214 million thus far in the year, signaling a growing sense of confidence in the digital asset.
Furthermore, commentary from Ripple Pundit highlights an increase in XRP trading against fiat currencies and stablecoins, with such pairs now constituting 29% of relevant trades, up from 25%, reflecting an increasing appetite for regulated, fiat-backed trading options.
The Dichotomy: Strong Market Performance Versus Weakening On-Chain Activity
Despite the robust price performance and high trading volumes, XRP’s on-chain activity exhibits indications of a slowdown.
Transactions processed on the XRP Ledger have seen a reduction of 37.06%, while the creation rate of new digital wallets has decreased by more than 40.28%.
Perhaps more strikingly, the daily trading volume itself has contracted by over 86% when viewed over the last six-month period.
These trends could potentially indicate short-term market fatigue or a phase of profit-taking among investors.
Underlying Investor Optimism Remains Buoyant
Investor optimism regarding XRP’s prospects remains robust, significantly bolstered by positive news from the regulatory sphere.
The decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to forgo its appeal against Ripple is considered a major victory for the company, potentially paving the way for a settlement.
Concurrently, there is growing speculation about the possible approval of an XRP Spot ETF shortly, a development that many believe could trigger another substantial market rally for the asset in 2025.
Also Read: First Spot XRP Drops Roughly 10% in a Week
