- XRP price fell 5%, trading near $1.80.
- The altcoin’s losses come amid broad negative market sentiment.
- Ripple’s token could slide to $1.50, although a bounce is also possible.
Ripple’s XRP declined by about 5% as the cryptocurrency market faced renewed selling pressure in early trading on December 18, 2025.
With recent drops across major altcoins, Ripple’s token fell to lows near $1.81.
Amid this wider risk-off mood, XRP — one of the stronger performers earlier in the year — now risks additional downside.
Bears Push XRP Toward $1.80
XRP was trading around $1.83 at the time of writing.
After declines on Tuesday, prices were down roughly 5% over the past 24 hours as sellers rejected advances toward $1.98.
The token looked poised to test bullish resolve around the $1.80 support area.
On Thursday, the altcoin hit intraday lows of $1.81, moves that increased the risk of an accelerated decline.
Market data show the price drop accompanied by elevated trading volumes.
High volumes during a sell-off typically signal active distribution rather than an isolated panic sell.
This pullback aligns with weakness across the altcoin sector as Bitcoin remained below the key $90,000 threshold.
Negative sentiment in broader risk assets is adding to selling pressure, with macroeconomic uncertainty among the headwinds.
Ripple Price Outlook
Breaking below $1.90 has turned prior support near $2.00 into potential overhead resistance.
Recent XRP moves reinforce short-term bearish control.
Technical indicators — including a 50-day exponential moving average sloping downward and a falling RSI — point to weakening momentum.
Derivatives markets have also seen increased liquidations of long positions, further amplifying downward pressure.
Whale activity remains mixed.
While some large holders accumulate during dips, overall on-chain metrics indicate increased distribution from older cohorts.
That dynamic has contributed to failed recovery attempts and explains why XRP traders found the token pushed below the psychological $2.00 level.
Technically, the outlook favors the bears.
Veteran trader Peter Brandt warned of a potential bearish “double-top” reversal pattern on XRP’s price chart.
This technical configuration could signal a trend reversal if XRP cannot reclaim key resistance levels.
Brandt’s caution highlights a growing divergence between technical indicators and Ripple’s improving fundamentals, which include recent stablecoin expansions and new institutional tools.
Although he acknowledged the pattern could fail, Brandt argued the formation suggests fading upside momentum.
As a result, market focus shifts to XRP’s key support levels as investors weigh technical risks against the ecosystem’s longer-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
A sustained break below current levels could put the next major bear target at $1.70 and, potentially, $1.50.
However, countervailing factors could provide relief to buyers.
Notably, spot XRP ETFs have continued to see steady inflows.
According to Coinglass data, XRP ETFs recorded inflows of $9.84 million on December 17.
Confidence in XRP’s long-term outlook means a recovery back above $2.00 would help shift sentiment.
A rebound toward $2.30 could open the door to further upside, with $3.00 a possible medium-term target if momentum builds.
Longer term, XRP remains on watch as it seeks to reclaim the $4.00 level.