XRP Defends $2 As Bulls Hold the Line, but Ethereum’s 35% Slide Changes the Mood

XRP price has reached one of those moments where the chart starts doing the talking. After months of sharp swings and fading excitement across crypto, Ripple is now sitting at a level that feels important. Price is no longer racing higher, yet it is not collapsing either. XRP has been hovering close to $2, and that balance is shaping the current narrative.

Ethereum price, meanwhile, has been telling a very different story. ETH has slid about 35% over the past 12 weeks, cooling what once felt like unstoppable summer momentum. That contrast is changing how the broader market feels, and it puts XRP price behavior under a brighter spotlight.

Ripple price has been trending lower since July, when XRP reached highs near $3.6. That decline has not turned chaotic. Price action has gradually compressed instead of breaking down, and XRP has repeatedly defended the $2 zone. That level has become less of a number and more of a reference point for where buyers and sellers are meeting.

XRP’s bulls and bears continue to battle, and the asset is hanging on to a $2.00 market value for now. Sentiment is showing bullishness across social media. Ethereum, on the other hand, is now -35% in the past 12 weeks. After sky-high sentiment dominated the summer, the… pic.twitter.com/PvnhW7wDyF

— Santiment (@santimentfeed) December 12, 2025

Onchain data from Santiment shows that XRP bulls and bears remain locked in a steady tug of war, with XRP hanging on to its $2 market value for now. That stability stands out during a period when many large caps have struggled to find footing. Price behavior suggests hesitation rather than fear, which often shows up before a clearer move develops.

XRP price movement also reflects a shift away from emotion driven trading. Sharp spikes have cooled, and candles have become more measured. That rhythm suggests participants are watching structure rather than chasing momentum.

Ripple Chart Shows XRP Bouncing Off a Rising Trendline

The XRP chart reveals something subtle but important. Price has been respecting a rising trendline that stretches back months, acting as a dynamic support rather than a fixed horizontal level. Each dip toward that line has been met with buying interest, keeping XRP from sliding into a deeper breakdown.

This type of structure often matters more than short term headlines. A rising trendline combined with a flat consolidation near $2 hints at pressure building rather than fading. If that support continues to hold, the chart leaves room for a stronger move higher later on.

XRP Price Chart

XRP tends to move slowly before accelerating fast once structure resolves. That pattern aligns with what the current chart is showing. A sustained bounce from the trendline could open the door to a push toward previous highs, and if momentum builds over time, new all time highs cannot be ruled out in the months ahead.

Ethereum Price Slide Changes the Tone Across Crypto

Ethereum price weakness has shifted how investors look at the broader market. ETH dropping about 35% over the past 12 weeks has taken the edge off summer optimism and reduced speculative excess. Santiment data shows that earlier sky-high sentiment around Ethereum has cooled significantly, lowering the chance of emotional retail-driven swings.

That cooling effect spills over into other assets. XRP now stands out not because it is exploding upward, but because it is holding steady while ETH corrects. Relative strength during quiet periods often shapes the next phase of market leadership.

Ethereum still plays a central role in crypto, yet its current trend suggests patience rather than urgency. That slower pace gives assets like XRP space to develop their own narratives without competing against runaway ETH momentum.

Ripple Price Stability Raises a Bigger Question

Ripple price stability near $2 raises a simple question. Is this consolidation just a pause, or is it the foundation for something larger. XRP has already proven it can move quickly once confidence returns, and the rising trendline suggests underlying demand has not disappeared.

Read Also: Why Is the Crypto Market Down as Bitcoin Price Dips to $90,000?

Santiment has pointed out that sentiment resets often clear the way for healthier price discovery. XRP appears to be in that reset phase now, where excitement is muted but structure remains intact. That combination often precedes decisive moves, whether higher or lower.

For now, XRP price continues to defend its ground while Ethereum price works through its correction. That contrast is shaping the mood across crypto, and it keeps XRP firmly in focus as the market waits for its next signal.

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