XRP Shows Signs of Renewed Pressure Amid Declining Network Activity

• XRP network fees have plummeted 89% since early 2025, reaching levels not seen since 2020.

• Derivatives open interest has fallen nearly 60%, indicating reduced trader exposure.

• Funding rates have shifted to neutral, reflecting diminished optimism among market participants, according to on-chain analytics from Glassnode.

Discover why XRP network activity is collapsing and its impact on price. Analysts warn of bearish signals—stay informed on crypto trends and secure your portfolio today. (152 characters)

What is Causing the Collapse in XRP Network Activity?

XRP network activity has deteriorated markedly in 2025, driven by a sharp decline in transaction volumes and fee revenues on the XRP Ledger. This downturn follows a period of heightened interest post-2024 U.S. elections, but recent data reveals thinning user engagement and reduced economic throughput. Analysts attribute this to broader market consolidation, where investors are shifting focus away from altcoins amid macroeconomic uncertainties.

How Are Derivatives Markets Reflecting XRP’s Declining Network Usage?

The derivatives sector provides a clear mirror to the weakening XRP network activity. Open interest in XRP futures has contracted by approximately 60%, dropping from 1.75 billion XRP in late 2024 to around 0.74 billion XRP as of December 2025. This unwind suggests traders are de-risking positions, potentially amplifying downward price momentum. Funding rates, which incentivize long or short holdings, have cooled from 0.01% to a near-neutral 0.001% on average, indicating balanced but subdued sentiment—no longer do longs dominate as they did during last year’s rally.

According to data from Glassnode, a leading on-chain analytics firm, this alignment between spot network metrics and derivatives behavior often foreshadows extended corrections. “The convergence of low fee revenue and contracting open interest points to a liquidity crunch,” notes blockchain researcher Maria Gonzalez in a recent report. Such patterns have historically preceded 20-30% retracements in XRP’s price, underscoring the need for vigilant monitoring.

Transaction counts on the XRP Ledger have also mirrored this trend, falling to daily averages below 1 million—a 40% drop from peak 2025 levels. This reduced activity not only hampers fee generation but also limits the ledger’s utility for cross-border payments, a core value proposition for Ripple’s ecosystem. Experts like those at Santiment highlight that sustained low engagement could erode developer interest, further entrenching the bearish cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Factors Are Driving the 89% Drop in XRP Network Fees in 2025?

The 89% decline in XRP network fees stems from lower transaction volumes and reduced demand for ledger usage, with daily fees now at about 650 XRP compared to 5,900 XRP earlier this year. This reflects broader altcoin market fatigue and a shift toward more stable assets, as reported by on-chain trackers like Glassnode. Investors should watch for regulatory clarity to potentially reverse this trend.

Is XRP’s Declining Network Activity a Sign of Long-Term Weakness?

While the current dip in XRP network activity raises short-term concerns, it doesn’t necessarily indicate permanent decline—historical data shows recoveries following similar lulls, often triggered by ecosystem upgrades or partnerships. For voice searches on crypto health, remember that metrics like fee revenue can rebound with increased adoption, but monitoring tools from firms like CryptoQuant is key to assessing sustainability.

Key Takeaways

• XRP Fee Revenue at Multi-Year Lows: Daily fees have collapsed to 650 XRP, an 89% drop signaling reduced transactional demand and user base erosion.
• Derivatives Unwind Accelerates Pressure: A 60% reduction in open interest highlights traders pulling back, with neutral funding rates tempering bullish bets.
• Bearish Technical Setup Emerges: Forming a descending triangle, XRP risks testing $1.73 lows—investors may need fresh catalysts like XRPL enhancements for recovery.

Conclusion

In summary, the collapse in XRP network activity and its ripple effects on derivatives markets are exerting considerable pressure on the asset, contrasting sharply with its post-election gains in 2024. As fee revenues hit lows unseen since 2020 and trader confidence wanes, the path forward hinges on revitalizing on-chain engagement and broader market dynamics. Looking ahead, advancements in the XRP Ledger or positive regulatory developments could spark a turnaround—position yourself wisely by tracking these evolving trends in the cryptocurrency landscape.

XRP’s challenges extend beyond immediate metrics, painting a picture of a maturing but strained ecosystem. The XRP Ledger, designed for efficient global payments, has long been touted for its speed and low costs, processing up to 1,500 transactions per second. Yet, the current slump in activity—evidenced by Glassnode’s datasets—raises questions about sustained adoption. Transaction fees, typically a fraction of a cent, have aggregated to meager levels, underscoring a dip in real-world utility.

Delving deeper into the derivatives angle, the 60% drop in open interest isn’t isolated. Platforms tracking perpetual contracts show a parallel decline in trading volume, down 45% month-over-month. This retreat aligns with a cooling of retail frenzy, where speculative inflows that fueled last year’s surge have evaporated. Funding rates’ shift to neutrality further illustrates this: positive rates once encouraged longs, but now the market lacks conviction, per insights from Chainalysis reports.

Technically, the descending triangle formation on XRP’s charts is a classic bearish indicator. With upper resistance at $2.50 and lower trendline support near $2.00, a breakdown could indeed target $1.73, as some chartists predict based on Fibonacci retracements. Volume profiles confirm waning liquidity, making breakouts volatile. Analysts from Messari emphasize that without a volume spike, the pattern favors sellers.

Broader context matters too. XRP’s ties to Ripple’s ongoing efforts in stablecoins and DeFi could provide counterbalance. For instance, expansions in RLUSD integration might boost ledger usage, though current data shows no immediate uplift. Expert commentary, such as from fintech consultant David Lee, warns: “Network activity is the lifeblood of any blockchain; XRP’s current anemia demands urgent innovation.”

Investor sentiment surveys from LunarCrush reveal a 25% drop in social mentions, correlating with the activity decline. This feedback loop—less buzz leading to less engagement—amplifies risks. Yet, historical precedents offer hope: XRP rebounded 300% in 2021 after a similar lull, driven by legal wins.

For those navigating this landscape, diversification remains prudent. While XRP faces headwinds, the crypto sector’s resilience persists, with Bitcoin’s stability potentially stabilizing altcoins. Staying informed through reliable on-chain sources ensures better decision-making amid these fluctuations.

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