XRP’s Rally Cools Off as the Numbers Tell a Tough Story

On-Chain Data Signals a Make-or-Break Moment After the Post-SEC Rally

XRP’s powerful rally on the back of legal optimism has given way to a sobering cooldown, and according to market analyst Vlad Anderson, the numbers suggest the comedown is more than just a routine pullback. It may be a reality check for a market that sprinted ahead of its fundamentals.

XRP’s recent price cycle is a textbook example of how quickly sentiment can shift in the cryptocurrency market. 

After climbing from around $0.40 to a record high of $3.65, XRP became one of the most talked-about digital assets, fueled largely by optimism around Ripple’s progress in its regulatory battles and renewed confidence in its long-term utility. 

Well, the rally drew in both retail and institutional traders who saw regulatory clarity as a potential turning point for broader adoption.

On-chain data is reinforcing a cautious tone across the crypto market, as key blockchain indicators suggest investor conviction may be softening at a critical moment. 

While price action often captures headlines, on-chain metrics provide a deeper look into what participants are actually doing with their capital, and right now, that behavior points to a market at a crossroads.

One of the most telling signals is the Realized Cap Impulse, a metric that measures the momentum of capital entering or leaving an asset based on the value at which coins last moved. Recently, this indicator has flipped negative. In practical terms, that means more value is flowing out of the asset than into it.

Alongside this, the MVRV Z-Score, which compares market value to realized value to assess relative valuation, is hovering near a decisive boundary. Historically, this metric has helped identify overheated markets and undervalued conditions.

Interestingly, sentiment signals are not entirely bearish. XRP currently ranks as the second most-viewed asset on CoinMarketCap, drawing significant attention even during recent pullbacks.

Key Demand Zone Could Decide Next Big Move

On-chain data is flashing a critical signal for XRP as market sentiment hovers at a turning point. One key indicator, Net Unrealized Profit/Loss (NUPL), is sitting at a transition level that often separates optimism from caution. NUPL measures whether holders, on average, are in profit or loss, offering a window into investor psychology.

If this metric slips further into lower territory, it would indicate that more XRP holders are moving from profit into loss, a shift that historically can heighten emotional selling and add downward pressure to price.

Adding another layer to the situation, XRP has fallen below its realized price, the average price at which current holders acquired their coins. When price drops under realized price, it means the majority of holders are underwater. 

While this can increase stress in the short term, it has also historically marked zones where selling becomes exhausted, as those willing to sell may have already done so.

From a technical standpoint, XRP is currently hovering at a critical demand zone, a price level where buyers have historically stepped in to support the market. This zone has acted as a safety net in past pullbacks, absorbing selling pressure and providing a potential springboard for upward movement.

Therefore, this situation positions XRP at a make-or-break point with the altcoin experiencing a dramatic drawdown recently, with roughly $20 billion erased from its market capitalization in just one week.

Conclusion

XRP stands at a crossroads where technical patterns, holder behavior, and market sentiment intersect. The coming weeks will likely be decisive in determining whether the token consolidates its gains and continues upward or faces a pullback. For traders and long-term holders alike, vigilance and strategic positioning will be key as XRP navigates this critical phase of its post-SEC journey.