XRP value continues to decline despite Ripple’s success
March 21, 2026
Deutsche Bank’s massive $30 billion investment in private credit has led to a 26% decline in shares this year. On the other hand, Ondas, after experiencing a 281% gain last year, is set to repeat this success in 2026. Despite these financial changes, the popular cryptocurrency, XRP, has seen a significant drop of 40% since the start of the year.
XRP, classified by the SEC as a digital commodity, saw various positive developments in 2026, such as Ripple expanding its institutional services in Brazil, a $1 billion XRP treasury company filing for Nasdaq, and XRP ETFs drawing in $1.44 billion since November. However, despite these advancements in the XRP ecosystem, the price of XRP has continuously fallen since the beginning of the year. Starting the year with a high of $2.40, XRP has now dropped by 40% in just a few months, despite Ripple’s successes.
The decline in XRP’s price is associated with the challenging macroeconomic environment in 2026. The rise in oil prices due to political events has led to higher inflation rates. The Fed’s decision to keep rates steady and increase its inflation forecast has impacted various financial markets, including cryptocurrency. Bitcoin, as a leader in the crypto market, fell from $74,000 to around $70,000 following the Fed’s decision. This decline has affected altcoins like XRP, preventing them from significant growth.
XRP’s movement is closely tied to Bitcoin, with a strong positive correlation, amplifying Bitcoin’s movements. XRP holders, particularly whales, have been steadily selling off their holdings since the peak of $3.65 in July 2025. Approximately $6 billion has been cashed out by these whales, contributing to the downward pressure on XRP’s price. Additionally, XRP ETFs, meant to absorb selling pressure, have seen a decline in weekly inflows, affecting the price of XRP.
Institutions using Ripple’s services like RippleNet for cross-border transactions do not necessarily use XRP for settlement. Banks often prefer Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD, over XRP due to its stability. Therefore, while Ripple’s business growth is positive for the company, it does not always translate to an increase in the XRP price.
For the XRP price to rise, Bitcoin must first show positive movement. Additionally, the passage of the Clarity Act, clarifying the regulatory status of XRP, could also boost the XRP price. Without these catalysts, the XRP price is likely to remain range-bound between $1.30 and $1.50, despite Ripple’s successes.
