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XRP Faces Growing Criticism After Falling 26% Since the Beginning of the Year

The decline in XRP’s price is further fueling debate in the crypto asset market, as Ripple’s token continues to lag behind other major digital assets in 2026.

Growing disappointment among traders and holders shows the widening gap between expectations and the market’s actual performance.

XRP Price Down 26% in 2026, So Far

The drop in XRP’s price reflects the loss of sustained momentum despite some positive developments across the Ripple ecosystem overall. The token remains roughly 26% lower year-to-date and continues to trade in the range of US$1.36–US$1.37.

The latest market data also places XRP around 62% below its all-time high of US$3.65 reached in July 2025, according to CoinGecko. Daily trading activity remains high, with volume fluctuating between approximately US$1.65 billion and US$1.77 billion.

These figures stand out because XRP has recently gone through several important developments. Ripple has made major progress in regulation through a legal settlement involving the SEC.

An XRP spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) has also entered the market, while institutional products such as Ripple Prime further expand that company’s ecosystem.

Despite these various advances, price movement remains weak. XRP has been moving within a narrow range between US$1.35–US$1.38 across several recent sessions. Technical analysts still describe this market structure as fragile, with selling pressure dominating sentiment.

Some market observers believe the area between US$1.30 and US$1.35 could become a highly important support zone. A breakdown below this range could increase the risk of a further drop to lower price levels.

“We’ve now been five days below the upward support. US$1.30 is the current safety barrier. If this level is lost, a deeper decline into the below-US$1 region is very likely to happen in the weeks ahead,” said ChartNerdTA analyst ChartNerdTA.

Traders Doubt XRP After Prolonged Weakness in the Market

The debate has become increasingly emotionally charged on social media platforms. Many traders have started to openly question whether Ripple’s long-term narrative aligns with real market results.

Some users even use far harsher language, calling the token a “scam” and accusing Ripple of relying only on “cheap propaganda” rather than delivering stronger price performance.

“I’m really tired of XRP—I feel deceived. What I see from XRP is only cheap propaganda,” a user commented on X.

This criticism reflects the accumulation of disappointment over the years. Ripple has repeatedly positioned XRP as a cross-border payments solution, highlighting banking partnerships, interoperability, and its role in the transformation of global finance.

Some retail investors hope these developments will trigger much greater price appreciation in the market. However, XRP has instead become one of the weakest among major crypto assets in 2026.

“Just think about it: half of the pro-crypto President’s term is already over, the SEC and others—court cases are finished, the clarity act has moved forward, ETFs are up and running, and so on… yet XRP has dropped more than half its value and is only being played for cheap pump-and-dump schemes… how is this not a scam!! Wake up!!!,” said a fan.

Critics argue that optimistic announcements often only spark temporary enthusiasm but fail to deliver lasting impact on price. Such perceptions gradually erode traders’ confidence, especially those hoping for higher returns.

On the other hand, supporters see the situation differently. They believe XRP is now developing into a more mature asset, increasingly focused on institutional needs rather than speculative price movement.

Developments around XRP Ledger, custody services, liquidity solutions, and broader regulatory clarity can support long-term growth. Even so, this institutional direction increasingly clashes with the hopes of retail investors who want quick profits.

The debate has now moved beyond just price movements. The central topic is increasingly turning to the big question: can adoption and infrastructure building ultimately truly translate into sustainable market value?