It’s that time of year again when the crypto markets tend to slow down, lights twinkle everywhere, and traders wonder if Santa will deliver any last-minute gifts. As we sit here on December 23, 2025, XRP is hovering just under the $1.90 mark, leaving many holders asking the same question: is this the calm before a holiday rally, or are we setting up for another disappointing slide?
I’ve been watching Ripple’s token for years now, through all the highs and lows, and there’s something uniquely frustrating about its price action during quiet periods like this. The broader market isn’t exactly screaming bullish confidence either, with volumes thinning out as people step away for the holidays. Yet XRP has a habit of surprising us when we least expect it.
Where XRP Stands Right Now
Let’s cut straight to the numbers. As of today, XRP is trading around $1.89, down slightly over the past 24 hours. That might not sound dramatic, but in the context of recent weeks, it tells a story of hesitation. The token has been bouncing between roughly $1.85 and $2.00 for what feels like forever, unable to commit to either direction.
What strikes me most is how little conviction there seems to be on either side. Buyers step in near the lows, sellers cap the upside, and we end up drifting sideways. It’s classic consolidation behavior, but during the holidays, this kind of range-bound action often drags on longer than anyone wants.
The Key Support Zone Holding Things Together
If there’s one level everyone is watching right now, it’s $1.85. This area has acted as solid support multiple times recently, absorbing selling pressure and giving bulls a place to defend. As long as we stay above it, the downside feels somewhat contained.
Drop below that, though, and things could get interesting in the wrong way. The next meaningful demand zone sits around $1.80, with deeper support in the $1.75–$1.78 region. I’ve seen XRP test these levels before, and they usually hold—until they don’t. Repeated tests tend to weaken support over time, so another failure there wouldn’t shock me if sentiment sours further.
In quiet markets, support levels matter more than ever because there’s less volume to absorb big moves.
That Stubborn Resistance Overhead
On the flip side, the $1.97–$2.00 zone has become a real headache for bulls. Every time XRP approaches it, sellers show up like clockwork. We’ve seen multiple rejections here, and it’s starting to feel psychological as much as technical.
A clean breakout above $2.00 with decent volume would change the conversation overnight. It could open the door to quicker moves toward $2.20 or even higher in a short squeeze scenario. But until we see that follow-through, it’s hard to get too excited about the upside.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect is how XRP often needs an external catalyst to break these ranges. Pure technicals can only take you so far when participation is low.
Volume Tells the Real Story
Speaking of participation, trading volume has been noticeably light. Holiday periods do this every year—people take time off, liquidity dries up, and price action becomes choppy. It’s not unusual, but it does make breakouts less reliable when they finally happen.
I’ve found that watching volume spikes is often more useful than staring at candlesticks during these stretches. A sudden surge in buying or selling can signal that institutions or big players are positioning for the new year. Right now, though, we’re not seeing much of that.
- Daily volume sitting well below recent averages
- No significant accumulation or distribution patterns visible yet
- Most moves happening on low conviction
What Could Trigger a Holiday Rally?
Let’s play devil’s advocate for the bulls. Is there anything that could spark a meaningful upside move before year-end? A few possibilities come to mind.
First, broader market strength could drag XRP higher. Bitcoin has been relatively stable lately, and any renewed push toward new highs there would likely lift altcoins across the board. XRP tends to follow Bitcoin’s lead during risk-on periods, even if it lags initially.
Second, positive Ripple-specific developments could act as a catalyst. The company has been making steady progress on various fronts—partnerships, product launches, regulatory clarity. Sometimes these things build quietly and then hit the market all at once.
Finally, there’s always the chance of a short squeeze if too many traders position bearishly into the holidays. Low liquidity makes these moves more explosive when they occur.
- Watch for increasing volume on upside moves
- Monitor broader crypto sentiment shifts
- Keep an eye on Ripple ecosystem news flow
- Be ready for potential year-end window dressing by institutions
The Bearish Case Isn’t Hard to Make Either
Of course, the downside risks are just as real. Holiday markets have a reputation for being treacherous, and XRP has plenty of overhead supply to work through.
If we lose $1.85 convincingly, momentum could shift quickly toward bears. That $1.75–$1.78 zone I mentioned earlier would be the next logical stop, and a break there might encourage more selling into the new year.
Broader market weakness would accelerate any decline. We’ve seen how quickly sentiment can flip when major assets like Bitcoin roll over. XRP rarely outperforms during risk-off periods.
The path of least resistance often feels downward in low-volume environments.
– Common trader wisdom
Another factor worth considering is profit-taking. Anyone sitting on gains from earlier 2025 runs might decide this quiet period is perfect for ringing the register before potential tax implications kick in next year.
Looking Beyond the Holidays
Maybe we’re getting too focused on the next week or two. Stepping back, the bigger picture for XRP still has some intriguing elements.
The token has shown remarkable resilience through various market cycles. Regulatory battles that once threatened its existence now seem largely in the rearview mirror. Adoption continues to grow in certain corridors, particularly cross-border payments.
In my experience, assets with real-world utility often find their footing eventually, even if price action frustrates along the way. The question is always timing.
That said, crypto remains a sentiment-driven space. Fundamentals matter, but they rarely drive short-term price action. We’re still waiting for that perfect combination of improving macro conditions, institutional adoption, and retail enthusiasm to really send things higher.
My Personal Take on the Current Setup
If I’m being honest, this feels like one of those periods where doing nothing might be the smartest move. The range is clear, the volume is light, and there aren’t obvious catalysts on the immediate horizon.
That doesn’t mean opportunity isn’t there. Sometimes the best trades come from patiently waiting for your pitch rather than swinging at everything. A decisive break in either direction with confirmation would be worth paying attention to.
Until then? I’m content watching from the sidelines, maybe adding small positions on extreme weakness but not chasing strength. There’s too much uncertainty in holiday trading to get aggressive.
Whatever happens over the next few days, one thing feels certain: 2026 will bring fresh narratives and opportunities for XRP. The question isn’t whether the token has long-term potential—it’s whether we have the patience to navigate these quiet stretches along the way.
Markets reward those who respect both the possibilities and the risks. Right now, XRP is giving us plenty of both.
So as you enjoy the holidays with family and friends, maybe keep one eye on those charts—but not both. Some things are worth waiting for, and sometimes the smartest move is simply staying calm while everyone else gets anxious about the lack of movement.
Here’s to hoping 2026 brings the clarity and momentum many XRP holders have been waiting for. Until then, trade carefully and enjoy the season.
