As 2025 draws to a close, XRP (XRP-USD) is facing sentiment that stands in contrast to how the cross-border payments-focused cryptocurrency finished 2024. Back then, riding a wave of optimism following Trump’s election win and expectations of a more relaxed regulatory environment – including the possibility that the SEC would drop its case against Ripple, the company behind the token – XRP surged 294% across November and December.
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However, fast forward to the here and now, and XRP has shed 8% year-to-date and sits 43% below July’s high. So, might this be the right time to load up on the prospect of a recovery? Not according to top investor Anders Bylund.
While the derepressed price action might look like a “fire sale,” Bylund, who ranks among the top 1% of investors on TipRanks, thinks you shouldn’t waste time here. “XRP isn’t worthless,” says the 5-star investor, “but there’s a huge red flag for this token.”
Beyond the fact that key catalysts – such as the SEC dropping its lawsuit and the approval of XRP-based ETFs – have already played out, Bylund believes the value proposition here looks weak.
With cryptocurrencies, real-world utility and rising activity tied to what the token is meant to do drive the investment case, but in the case of XRP, there appears to be significant promise but limited evidence to support it. RippleNet – Ripple’s global payments network – is not processing more payments or handling larger transaction volumes than it was 2 years ago, and daily usage remains minimal. As such, XRP’s $116 billion market cap seems driven more by “big dreams,” especially when the network generates only about $1 million in annual transaction fees.
“Sorry,” Bylund wrapped up, “but that’s too rich for my blood.” (To watch Bylund’s track record, click here)
Likewise, Adam Spatacco, another top 1% investor on TipRanks, thinks that with 2026 at the gate, investors should keep their distance.
In theory, large banks and corporations are showing growing interest in the use of stablecoins, and financial institutions continue to experiment with digital assets as part of their portfolio strategies. If investment across these areas of the crypto market gains momentum, XRP could see renewed interest. “With that said,” the 5-star investor added, “I don’t see any of these developments as a concrete reason to invest in the token.”
In Spatacco’s view, investing in XRP ultimately depends on believing that its role as a bridge currency for cross-border payments will see meaningful adoption. The problem is that even if Ripple’s payments network is widely adopted by banks and enterprises, transactions do not need to be settled in XRP, as firms could continue using fiat instead. As such, Spatacco does not expect Ripple, and by extension XRP, to reach “critical mass” by next year. An investment in XRP today still appears to rest largely on speculation and “more of an idea” that it could eventually become a mainstream payment method.
“Given these dynamics,” Spatacco summed up, “I don’t see the current sell-off in XRP as an opportunity to buy the dip. I think the token could be headed for further price normalization going into 2026.” (To watch Spatacco’s track record, click here)
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analyst. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.