XRP Faces Major Losses in 2026 Amid Market Struggles

Key Insights

• XRP’s price has plunged 25.8% year-to-date in 2026, continuing its bearish momentum from late 2025.
• XRP’s Ledger Network has seen a massive 80% decline in activity amid waning institutional participation.
• The cryptocurrency’s steep losses follow a year of positive gains in 2023 and 2024, highlighting the shift in market sentiment.

XRP continues to grapple with significant losses as the cryptocurrency market struggles to regain its footing in 2026. Despite an earlier rally in 2024 and 2023, XRP has witnessed a sharp downturn, making it one of the biggest losers this year. With a decline of 25.8% year-to-date, XRP’s price recently fell from a peak of $2.40 to as low as $1.14. This marks a continuation of a bearish trend that began in late 2025.

The broader crypto market remains under pressure as leading cryptocurrencies, including XRP, continue to face challenges. The ongoing downturn has left many digital assets in the red, with no clear indication of when a recovery will occur. XRP’s price performance, already weak, further reflects the broader market sentiment that shows no signs of improvement in the immediate future. The recent market crash has compounded XRP’s woes, extending the losses from previous months into 2026.

XRP’s Struggling Performance in Early 2026

As we enter the second month of 2026, XRP has already posted its worst performance since 2023. According to data from Cryptorank, the cryptocurrency is down 25.8% so far this year, with its price dropping steeply. This is a sharp contrast to the significant gains seen just two years ago, when XRP surged 235.7% in 2024. While the initial part of 2026 has been challenging, the question of whether XRP can recover before the year ends remains uncertain.

In the first quarter of 2026, XRP delivered a return of -25.9%, continuing the negative momentum from the end of 2025. The asset has also faced declining institutional interest, which has resulted in a noticeable decrease in network activity. XRP’s Ledger Network, for instance, has seen an 80% drop in activity as investor confidence wanes. Although some institutional investors have maintained steady ETF flows, the prospect of a substantial recovery in 2026 is still unclear.

Yearly Comparison: XRP’s Shift in Performance

This downturn is a stark contrast to the positive performance seen in 2023 and 2024. While 2025 ended with mild losses, the steep price drop in early 2026 suggests a more severe shift in sentiment. XRP’s performance, once characterized by steady gains, now reflects a significant reversal, with the ongoing bear market exerting downward pressure on its price. The possibility of recovery remains slim, given the extended period of market volatility.