The XRP price has been one of the standout performers among major altcoins in recent weeks, maintaining strength above the $2.00 mark and outpacing many of its peers. However, despite this momentum, signs are emerging that could signal a short-term ceiling for further gains. A surge in profit-taking—amounting to $68.8 million per day—by long-term holders is raising questions about whether the current rally can sustain itself amid broader market caution.
XRP Holds Above $2 Amid Rising Investor Exits
At the time of writing, XRP is trading at approximately $2.17, up over 0.5% in the past 24 hours. According to data from CoinGecko, it ranks among the top-performing large-cap altcoins on this Friday, June 20, showing resilience even as the broader crypto market faces headwinds.
👉 Discover how market sentiment shifts can impact XRP’s next move.
While the price remains bullish, on-chain analytics from Glassnode reveal a critical development: investors who bought XRP during the previous cycle are now realizing profits at an average rate of $68.8 million per day (7-day simple moving average). This level of realized profit is one of the highest seen in recent months and suggests that early adopters and long-term holders are cashing out.
“XRP is trading above $2—more than three times its pre-rally base price from November 2024,” noted Glassnode in a recent analysis.
This profit-taking behavior doesn’t necessarily indicate a bearish reversal, but it does introduce upward resistance. When a significant portion of supply is being sold by holders with deep unrealized gains, it can dampen bullish momentum, especially if new buying pressure doesn’t offset these outflows.
Why Profit-Taking Matters for XRP’s Price Trajectory
The current wave of selling isn’t panic-driven; rather, it reflects strategic exits by investors sitting on over 300% gains. These are rational decisions by market participants locking in profits after a strong run. However, sustained selling at this scale can shift market dynamics.
Historically, prolonged profit-taking phases often precede consolidation or correction periods. For XRP, this could mean limited upside in the short term unless fresh capital enters the market. The absence of new accumulation could leave the price vulnerable to downward pressure if selling intensifies.
Additionally, this trend coincides with a broader “altcoin winter” affecting the crypto ecosystem—a period marked by weak investor confidence and net outflows across non-Bitcoin, non-Ethereum assets.
Altcoin Winter Deepens With $36 Billion Net Outflow
CryptoQuant reports that the cumulative net difference between buying and selling volume for altcoins (excluding BTC and ETH) has reached a staggering $36 billion in favor of sellers over the past year. This imbalance underscores a lack of enthusiasm among altcoin investors, even as Bitcoin continues to rally.
“Even if Bitcoin is in a bull run, altcoins are behaving like it’s still winter,” stated CryptoQuant.
This environment makes it harder for any altcoin—even fundamentally strong ones like XRP—to break out decisively. Investor attention remains concentrated on Bitcoin and select blue-chip assets, leaving many mid-tier projects struggling for traction.
Yet, within this cautious climate, XRP continues to demonstrate robust on-chain activity, suggesting real-world usage remains strong despite lukewarm sentiment.
Strong Network Activity Supports XRP’s Fundamental Value
Despite macro-level hesitancy, XRP’s underlying utility shines through key metrics:
- Daily active addresses have surged to around 20,000, doubling the average seen throughout 2024.
- The network processes nearly one million payments per day, reflecting consistent adoption for cross-border transactions and institutional settlements.
These figures highlight that XRP isn’t just a speculative asset—its blockchain serves a functional purpose in global finance, particularly through Ripple’s partnerships with banks and payment providers.
This real-world demand may act as a floor under the price, even during periods of profit-taking or market-wide risk-off behavior.
ETF Hype Fuels XRP’s Institutional Momentum
One of the biggest catalysts behind XRP’s recent performance is growing optimism around exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While no XRP ETF has yet launched in the U.S., momentum is building:
- In Canada, asset managers 3iQ, Purpose Investments, and Evolve Funds Group have officially rolled out XRP ETFs, which began trading on Canadian exchanges on June 18, 2025.
- This marks a significant regulatory milestone and signals increasing institutional acceptance of XRP as a legitimate digital asset.
👉 Explore how ETF approvals could reshape XRP’s market dynamics.
In the U.S., the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has yet to rule on multiple XRP ETF applications. Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart notes that the final deadlines for decisions extend into October 2025, leaving room for anticipation and speculation throughout the second half of the year.
“XRP not being actioned (at least not publicly that I can tell). Final deadline for XRP ETF also in October.”
— James Seyffart (@JSeyff)
Market sentiment appears cautiously optimistic. On prediction market Polymarket, the probability of an approved XRP ETF in the U.S. by the end of 2025 stands at 89%. However, only 13% expect approval before July 31, indicating most traders anticipate delays or a later decision.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is causing XRP’s recent profit-taking?
Long-term investors who purchased XRP at lower prices are realizing gains exceeding 300%. With the price above $2, many are choosing to lock in profits, leading to daily outflows averaging $68.8 million.
Is XRP still a good investment amid altcoin winter?
Despite weak overall altcoin sentiment, XRP shows strong fundamentals—high daily transactions and active addresses suggest ongoing utility. Combined with potential ETF developments, it remains one of the more resilient altcoins.
When will the SEC decide on an XRP ETF?
The final deadlines for SEC decisions on pending XRP ETF applications fall in October 2025, according to Bloomberg analyst James Seyffart.
How do Canadian XRP ETFs affect the U.S. market?
While not direct substitutes, Canadian ETFs set a regulatory precedent and increase institutional visibility for XRP, potentially influencing U.S. regulators and boosting investor confidence.
Can XRP break higher despite current selling pressure?
Yes—but only if new buying demand offsets profit-taking. Catalysts like positive SEC signals or broader altcoin recovery could reignite upward momentum.
What does “altcoin winter” mean for XRP holders?
It means reduced speculative interest and slower price appreciation across most altcoins. However, assets with strong use cases like XRP tend to outperform during such periods.
While short-term price action may be constrained by profit-taking and macro caution, XRP’s long-term outlook remains tied to regulatory clarity and institutional adoption. The upcoming months—especially leading into October—could prove pivotal.
👉 Stay ahead of ETF news and track real-time XRP movements here.
Ultimately, whether XRP breaks into new bullish territory or consolidates will depend on two key factors: the SEC’s stance on ETFs and whether the broader altcoin market can emerge from its winter slumber. Until then, patience—and vigilance—will serve investors well.