XRP Leads with Gains While Major Altcoin Buyers Suffer

XRP continues to outshine its rivals as it holds onto impressive gains, placing it ahead of key cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. In a market overwhelmed by negative sentiment, XRP stands tall with a surprising 11% return for investors who entered during the recent bullish cycle. This positions XRP as a standout asset, defying the prevailing bearish atmosphere surrounding other top altcoins.

Data from on-chain analytics firm Glassnode highlights a growing divide in the performance of major crypto assets. Investors who purchased Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL) between December 2024 and January 2025—when enthusiasm among buyers reached its peak—are currently deep in the red. However, XRP buyers during the same period are seeing positive returns, reinforcing the token’s relative resilience.

During this time frame, euphoric buyers of Bitcoin bought in at an average cost basis of $95,000, and are now witnessing a modest 1% dip. Ethereum investors, who entered around $1,800, are facing a significant 36% decline. Solana hasn’t fared any better, with a 28% drop from its average entry point of $146. All of these declines contrast starkly with XRP’s performance, as it climbed 11% above its investor entry point of $2.14, despite recent market volatility.

This sharp divergence in performance is a signal of evolving mid-term market sentiment. As Coinglass revealed, the metric that compares current asset prices to their euphoric entry points shows that most top coins are trading below their cost basis, indicating continued weakness and lowered investor confidence.

Over the past week, price performance further confirms this narrative. According to CoinMarketCap data, Bitcoin’s value has dipped by 0.18%, Ethereum slid by 1.53%, and Solana recorded a steeper 2.82% decrease. Meanwhile, XRP experienced a more substantial 6.39% fall during the same period. Despite this short-term volatility, XRP’s mid-term holders remain in the green, effectively outperforming its peers.

This trend suggests that XRP’s recent strength could be attributed to more strategic buying behavior or broader investor conviction, which has yet to manifest similarly across BTC, ETH, and SOL assets. The unique position of XRP may be helped by consistent developments around its parent company Ripple, as well as heightened interest in XRP’s potential inclusion in ETF offerings—similar to what’s been seen with other altcoins like Near and Solana.

Still, the broader crypto market remains under pressure. The market’s inability to lift BTC, ETH, and SOL above their euphoric cost basis levels signals continued bearish sentiment, and suggests that a strong recovery will demand significantly higher trading volumes and investor participation across multiple coins—not just XRP.

For now, XRP offers a rare bright spot in an otherwise muted market. As it stands, XRP’s position demonstrates how tactical entry and distinct network momentum can significantly shift investor outcomes during uncertain times. While BTC and ETH continue to dominate headlines and market capitalization, XRP’s relative performance underscores the importance of strategic diversification in crypto portfolios.

Investors watching the crypto landscape unfold will need to track both market sentiment and technical indicators closely. Should prices fail to exceed their euphoric thresholds, the risk of extended consolidation or further decline persists. But as XRP has shown, not all altcoins are subject to the same fate—and for now, it’s standing out as a rare winner in a turbulent ecosystem.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

Ultimately, XRP’s current momentum may serve as a guiding indicator for potential recoveries, or at the very least as a lesson in the importance of timing and market awareness in digital asset investing.