XRP Price remains stuck near $2.20 while Bitcoin and Ethereum see strong market recovery.
BTC rebounds above $90,000, and ETH approaches the $3,000–$3,100 zone.
XRP underperforms due to weak on-chain demand and limited reaction to RippleNet growth.
The cryptocurrency market showed a clear recovery in late November 2025, with Bitcoin and Ethereum rising strongly after earlier corrections. Bitcoin climbed back above the $90,000 mark, gaining around 4–5%, while Ethereum moved toward the $3,000–$3,100 range. Despite this positive trend, XRP price struggled to keep up, remaining stuck in a narrow price band and failing to reflect the broader market’s momentum.
Even as volatility increased, the token did not show a strong upward breakout. Analysts pointed out a short-term death cross pattern on XRP charts, which usually indicates weakening momentum. Unless XRP manages to move above the important resistance between $2.20 and $2.24, the price may continue to face pressure.
Also Read: Will December Favor XRP? Price History Suggests a Bigger Finish Than Bitcoin
Multiple factors drove Bitcoin's strong rebound. Investors became more optimistic about global markets after signs of softer monetary policy heading into December created renewed buying interest in riskier assets such as cryptocurrencies. Short sellers also exited their positions, adding fuel to the upward movement. Simultaneously, institutional participation strengthened, driving Bitcoin quickly higher from its mid-November lows near the low $80,000s.
Ethereum followed suit: after finding support at key chart levels earlier in the month, ETH steadily moved back into the $3,000 zone. According to market commentators, a close above $3,000–$3,050 could open the way to higher targets. Ethereum also saw robust statistics in its ecosystem, such as growing use of layer-2 networks and ongoing interest in staking.
Both BTC and ETH had strong liquidity and buying power, helping these assets respond quickly to improving market conditions.
Given XRP's underperformance compared to BTC and ETH, the question remains: what exactly holds the token back? Among the main reasons, much lies in the difference in these assets' behavior in response to market news. Bitcoin is still perceived as the number one store-of-value asset, while Ethereum's expanding smart-contract ecosystem is creating greater value for the asset. Both of these assets respond quickly when investor confidence returns.
The relationship between the market price of XRP and its utilization in real use cases is a bit more complex. Ripple, the company behind XRP, continues to expand its global payment network known as RippleNet, connecting more than 300 banking partners across the world. Many of those partners use Ripple's software without necessarily using the token. This partial adoption might have caused the dip in the asset’s price.
Crypto investment funds had mixed inflows throughout November. Bitcoin and Ethereum remained the most popular destinations, confirming these are the investment options of choice for large investors. Some investment products focusing on the token XRP did attract higher inflows, but this interest failed to translate into consistently higher trading activity for the token.
On-chain activity for XRP was also fairly weak. Transaction volumes remained low compared with other large-cap assets. Even where exchange reserves for XRP did fall, analysts explained that this does not always mean investors are preparing for a rally. Tokens may simply move to custody platforms or be involved in private trades that do not affect the open market directly.
Lower liquidity in the markets often translates to choppy price movements, making any smooth upward move all the more difficult for XRP.
It is for this reason that market sentiment played a heavy role in the underperformance of XRP. The broader narrative around XRP is different from that of Bitcoin and Ethereum. Mainly viewed as a payment and settlement token, XRP has its main utilization in cross-border transactions. This attracts long-term institutional interest, not the same type of short-term excitement seen in BTC and ETH.
Its story as "digital gold" also draws traders in times of macroeconomic uncertainty. Ethereum's role in decentralized finance, gaming, and smart-contract applications holds investor attention high. XRP, meanwhile, often reacts more slowly as much of its investor base is more focused on long-term utility rather than on short-term trading.
This mismatch in expectations could make XRP a laggard when the crypto market starts recovering.
For XRP to catch up, price action must show strength above its current resistance zone. According to analysts, XRP needs a move above $2.24 with strong trading volume to develop an uptrend that is convincing enough. In case the token fails to stay above near-term support, it could enter a period of sideways consolidation.
Future performance will depend on several variables: global economic conditions, institutional flows, and the behavior of large holders. Positive developments in Ripple's ecosystem could also support long-term sentiment, but the price action in the short term will continue to be heavily influenced by market structure.
Also Read: XRP $6 by 2030: Real Possibility or Myth?
Although XRP is lagging compared to BTC and ETH at the moment, market conditions can change suddenly. If the crypto market continues to benefit from expectations of interest-rate cuts or stronger institutional adoption, XRP could eventually join the broader uptrend. The token needs clear technical confirmation and stronger on-chain demand to match the pace set by Bitcoin and Ethereum.
For now, the late-November recovery has underscored the difference in market behavior between major cryptocurrencies. While Bitcoin and Ethereum regained their strength with ease, XRP is still in search of the catalysts needed to unlock its next major move.
1. Why is the XRP price lagging behind Bitcoin and Ethereum?
XRP is lagging as its on-chain demand remains weaker, and RippleNet’s growth does not directly translate into higher XRP usage.
2. What is driving Bitcoin’s recent recovery?Bitcoin recovered strongly
due to renewed investor confidence, institutional flows, and expectations of a more supportive global monetary environment.
3. Why is Ethereum performing better than XRP?
Ethereum benefits from strong ecosystem activity, including staking and layer-2 growth, which boosts demand and supports its price recovery.
4. What resistance level does XRP need to break for momentum to improve?
XRP needs to move above the key resistance zone around $2.24 to signal a potential trend reversal.
5. Can XRP catch up if the Cryptocurrency Market continues to recover?
Yes, XRP can catch up if market sentiment stays positive, but it requires stronger volume, higher on-chain activity, and a break above major resistance levels.
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