- XRP price fell 5% and traded near $1.80.
- The altcoin’s losses come amid broad bearish market sentiment.
- Ripple token could slide to $1.50, although a rebound is also possible.
The Ripple token XRP dropped 5% as the cryptocurrency market faced renewed selling pressure during early trading on December 18, 2025.
As major altcoins extended recent declines, Ripple’s price slipped to lows around $1.81.
Amid this wider risk-off mood, XRP — which was one of the stronger performers earlier in the year — faces the possibility of further downside.
XRP bears push price toward $1.80
At the time of writing, XRP was trading around $1.83.
Following a breakdown on Tuesday, the token fell 5% over 24 hours after sellers rejected the $1.98 area.
That move appeared likely to test bullish support near the $1.80 zone.
On Thursday the altcoin hit intraday lows of $1.81, a drop that raises the risk of an accelerated decline.
Market data show the downtrend was accompanied by higher trading volume.
That typically signals active distribution rather than an isolated panic sell-off.
The pullback coincides with weakness across the broader altcoin market as Bitcoin traded below the key $90,000 threshold.
Negative sentiment across traditional risk assets is adding to selling pressure, with macroeconomic uncertainty among the headwinds.
Price outlook for Ripple
A move above $1.90 would turn the original support near $2.00 into potential resistance overhead.
Recent XRP price action reinforces bearish control in the near term.
Technical indicators — including a declining 50-day exponential moving average and weakening RSI readings — point to fading momentum.
Meanwhile, derivatives markets recorded elevated long-liquidations, amplifying downward pressure.
Whale activity remains mixed.
Although some large holders accumulated during the dips, on-chain metrics show increased distribution from older cohorts.
That dynamic has undermined recent recovery attempts and explains why XRP bulls remain below the psychological $2.00 level.
From a technical perspective, the outlook favors the bears.
Veteran trader Peter Brandt issued a bearish warning for XRP, identifying a potential “double top” reversal pattern on his price chart.
This technical setup suggests a possible trend reversal if the asset fails to reclaim key levels.
Brandt’s caution highlights the growing divergence between technical signals and strengthening fundamentals for Ripple, such as recent stablecoin expansion and new institutional products.
Although he acknowledges the pattern could fail, Brandt argues the current formation signals weakening momentum.
As a result, market attention is focused on XRP’s key support levels while investors weigh technical risks against the ecosystem’s long-term adoption efforts.
I know in advance that all you Riplosts $XRP will forever remind me of this post — ask me if I care
This is a potential double top. Sure, it may fail, and I will deal with this if it does
But for now this has bearish implications
Love it or not — you need to deal with it pic.twitter.com/yPGjzuqNN3— Peter Brandt (@PeterLBrandt) December 17, 2025
Long-term breakdown below current levels could see bears target the next major support zone at $1.70 and potentially $1.50.
However, bullish factors could offer relief for buyers.
Notably, spot XRP ETFs are still recording steady inflows.
CoinGlass data show XRP ETFs received $9.84 million in inflows on December 17.
Investor confidence in XRP’s long-term outlook means a reclaim of $2.00 could open the door for a sentiment shift.
A rebound toward $2.30 would likely restore upward momentum, potentially setting a path to $3.00.
For now, XRP continues to wait for a decisive move above $4.00.