XRP currently trades at $1.33, standing approximately 62.5% below its all time high set in January 2018, according to CoinDesk data. In contrast, major digital assets including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB have all posted substantial gains compared to their levels at that time. Bitcoin has gained 314%, Ethereum is up 66%, and BNB has soared 2,818% since the same period. The performance gap between XRP and these peers has fueled renewed debate among analysts and commentators in the cryptocurrency sector.
Industry commentators weigh in on XRP’s underperformance
Digital Asset Investor, known for commentary via the @digitalassetbuy account on X, has highlighted what he sees as XRP’s unique challenges relative to other major cryptocurrencies. According to him,
The only digital asset on that list to undergo a 5 year SEC lawsuit is XRP.
He pointed out that before these legal issues, XRP had at times surpassed Ethereum in price and was closing in on Bitcoin. He attributed subsequent declines at least in part to what he described as coordinated attacks against the asset. Drawing from a conversation with Ripple, the company behind XRP, he reported a message received during the Evernorth listing on the NASDAQ: “All roadblocks have been removed.”
Mini dictionary: Ripple, a San Francisco-based technology company, develops and supports the XRP Ledger as well as the XRP cryptocurrency. Ripple provides blockchain-based payment solutions designed to enable fast and low-cost international money transfers for both financial institutions and individuals.
| Asset | Performance since Jan 2018 | Status vs all-time high |
|---|---|---|
| XRP | -62.5% | Below all-time high |
| Bitcoin (BTC) | +314% | Above previous peak |
| Ethereum (ETH) | +66% | Above previous peak |
| BNB | +2,818% | Well above previous peak |
Lawyer Bill Morgan challenges lawsuit impact narrative
Bill Morgan, an Australian legal professional and well-known digital asset commentator, pushed back on the idea that the SEC lawsuit remains responsible for XRP’s current price performance. Morgan stated that the litigation can no longer serve as a sufficient explanation for XRP’s ongoing struggles in the market.
The lawsuit cannot be an excuse all the time for XRP’s current price. That excuse is getting quite old. XRP price has fallen 45% in the last 12 months and about 60% since the litigation with the SEC was finally resolved on 7 August 2025. The lawsuit was always an overrated and exaggerated excuse.
Morgan observed that despite the highly anticipated settlement between Ripple and the SEC, which occurred on 7 August 2025, XRP failed to sustain any lasting price recovery. He noted that XRP has declined by 45% over the past year and roughly 60% from its value at the time of the resolution. According to Morgan, positive legal developments did offer short-term price boosts, but these gains were repeatedly lost in the following months. He also highlighted that the months leading up to the settlement saw more market excitement and activity than the actual outcome itself, with most of these gains erased since.
Market looks for new drivers as legal barriers fall
Morgan described the lawsuit’s impact as “overrated and exaggerated,” emphasizing his belief that the asset’s price should now depend more on adoption, user utility, and broader fundamentals rather than previous legal issues. He underlined that as most leading digital assets have recouped or exceeded their 2017–2018 cycle highs, XRP remains the only major token in CoinDesk’s comparison still trading significantly below its earlier peak. Whether the recent removal of legal obstacles can spark a meaningful and sustained XRP price rebound remains uncertain, with many observers watching closely for signs of renewed traction in the market.
