XRP hits 9-month low: Why Ripple is struggling despite strong fundamentals

Brief-term volatility continues to be in play, however the market is clearly considering long-term. All eyes are on the shut of H1, when a number of the uncertainty round crypto, similar to macro indicators and Fed coverage, ought to begin to settle.

Take the CLARITY Act, for instance. If handed, it may give digital property a severe legitimacy increase. In the meantime, lingering questions across the Fed Chair may lastly clear up, with markets already pricing in fee cuts.

On this combine, Ripple [XRP] is standing out. 

As an L1 attracting ETF inflows, it’s clear that buyers are betting on the long-term, even after current FUD. And with extra regulation on the horizon, there’s an actual probability that XRP could gain even more steam in H2.

Supply: SoSoValue

However right here’s the query: What precisely are buyers betting on?

Little question, Ripple has kicked off 2026 with some strategic strikes. From establishing a Ripple Treasury to securing regulatory licenses in a number of nations, the corporate is solidifying RLUSD’s use case throughout Europe. 

In the meantime, XRP is exhibiting robust tokenization. Its RWA TVL is up 11% over the previous 30 days, hitting a document $235 million. That’s one other sign that its community fundamentals proceed to draw institutional capital.

That mentioned, the value hasn’t actually mirrored this progress. With a 9% pullback to this point in 2026, XRP has slipped to $1.60 for the primary time in 9 months, successfully wiping out all of the positive aspects it made after the election cycle.

Naturally, the query arises: Is Ripple merely undervalued?

Bitcoin dictates the market, XRP feels the strain

Altcoins are carefully following Bitcoin [BTC] proper now. 

The present correlation between BTC and the altcoin market sits at 87%, which mainly means Bitcoin is dictating the market. When it dips, the market bleeds. When BTC pumps, the rally normally drags all the things up.

Ripple is a primary instance. Regardless of stable inflows, its value is essentially following BTC’s strikes. In reality, because the chart reveals, XRP is on the high of the desk with a 0.998 studying, making it probably the most BTC-dependent altcoin.

Supply: Alphractal

Now, that is the place Ripple’s current breakdown begins to make sense. 

Even with ETF flows, strategic partnerships, and licensing pointing to a long-term progress technique, the present FUD round a authorities shutdown and different pressures is weighing on BTC, and, by extension, XRP.

Unsurprisingly, that’s placing a dent in Ripple’s long-term play. 

XRP simply broke the $1.80 assist stage, rattling conviction. In the meantime, so long as BTC volatility keeps outrunning fundamentals, the influence of current inflows will keep muted, leaving the token uncovered to deeper corrections.

Closing Ideas

• ETF inflows, strategic partnerships, regulatory progress, and document RWA TVL sign continued institutional curiosity, regardless of short-term FUD.
• Ripple’s 0.998 correlation with Bitcoin means dips in BTC strain XRP, holding current inflows from totally impacting the value and exposing it to deeper corrections.