XRP Regret Hits Dave Portnoy After Unexpected Rally

XRP continues to make headlines in the cryptocurrency world, recently delivering one of the strongest performances among major digital assets. However, not everyone is celebrating. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy expressed deep regret over selling his XRP holdings just before the altcoin’s dramatic surge.

Portnoy revealed his decision on social media, disclosing that he sold his XRP at $2.40 based on a recommendation that hinted at competition from USDC issuer Circle. At the time, he believed it was the prudent move. But as the token shot up by 60% shortly thereafter, the lost opportunity left him feeling devastated, even stating, “I want to cry.”

This timing couldn’t have been worse for Portnoy. In the two weeks following his sale, XRP experienced a remarkable upswing, gaining over 38% and outperforming its peers in the top 10 cryptocurrencies. This rally has reaffirmed the coin’s strength and solidified its position as a top performer in today’s volatile market.

The recent momentum has even led to talk of XRP reaching new all-time highs. According to CoinGecko, the token peaked at $3.65—surpassing its impressive 2018 figures. However, there’s still some confusion about what truly constitutes a record high for XRP. Some argue that it already hit $3.84 in the past. But Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz clarified that those figures included inflated prices from Korean exchanges like Upbit and Bithumb, which were trading XRP at premiums. On key Western platforms like Coinbase and Bitstamp, the highest prices historically hovered closer to $3.30–$3.40.

Therefore, while the recent surge is significant, analysts suggest it’s the first time in nearly eight years that XRP has truly reached a new legitimate high across mainstream markets. For long-term investors still holding the token, this marks a meaningful milestone and a possible indicator of renewed growth potential.

Still, some critics downplay the excitement, noting that despite the recent gains, XRP’s growth lags behind other major tokens. Bitcoin, for example, has seen an 850% increase since its 2018 peak, while Ethereum has climbed approximately 400%. In contrast, XRP’s rise seems more modest in historical context, raising questions about its future scalability compared to other flagship cryptocurrencies.

Researcher Leonidas Hadjiloizou commented on social media, emphasizing that XRP still has substantial ground to cover to match the broader market’s performance. Despite the bullish trend, his statement reflects a cautious optimism shared by many investors who are watching closely to see whether XRP can maintain its current trajectory.

Meanwhile, Portnoy has openly acknowledged that he no longer holds any XRP tokens, making his emotional response even more understandable. Selling just before a major rally is the nightmare of many investors, and Portnoy’s experience is a reminder of how unpredictable crypto markets can be—even for seasoned traders.

Related: XRP Price: $12M Max Pain for Bears

As XRP reclaims its spotlight among top digital assets, market watchers are eager to see whether this wave of momentum leads to sustained growth or is just a short-term uptick. Either way, Portnoy’s missed opportunity highlights the high-stakes nature of timing and decision-making in the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency.