XRP could drop another 59% to 62% against Bitcoin before finding a solid bottom, according to technical analysis shared by chart analyst Chart Nerd. The target range for the XRP/BTC pair is between 0.0000071 and 0.0000065, a level that has historically attracted buyers back into the market.
Related Reading: Crypto Market Sees $1.46B Fund Exodus As Traders Turn Cautious
A Pattern Of Lower Highs
The XRP/BTC pair has been making lower highs since 2017 — nearly a decade of steady underperformance against Bitcoin. Each time it tries to recover, it falls short of the previous peak. For example, it hit around 0.000097 in January 2019, then 0.0000426 in November 2020, followed by 0.0000390 in May 2021, 0.0000297 in July 2023, and most recently 0.0000257 in January 2026 — all stopped by a long-term downward resistance line.
“I’m sorry to break this to my $XRP community. I’m just tired of the constant hopium: we have been underperforming #Bitcoin since 2017, with NO signs of any major rotation. In fact, over the last 3 months, BTC has climbed 60K-80K while $XRP/BTC has lost its 20 MEMA. Back to green.” https://t.co/24IB42ZWsW pic.twitter.com/CeJibNhoMx — 🇬🇧 ChartNerd 📊 (@ChartNerdTA) May 25, 2026
Despite this pattern, XRP hasn’t been completely left behind in dollar terms. Reports show the token rose 37% from its February low of $1.12 to a May high of $1.54 — a recovery that looks decent on its own. But when measured against Bitcoin, that move failed to hold above the 20-month exponential moving average, which analysts see as a sign of weakness.
Capital Staying In Bitcoin
Bitcoin gained 38% over the past three months, climbing from a yearly low of $60,000 to $82,800. XRP didn’t keep up on the BTC trading pair, and Chart Nerd says this reveals a bigger story about where money is going. When major tokens like XRP lag behind Bitcoin during a rally, it usually means investors are sticking with Bitcoin rather than moving into altcoins. According to Chart Nerd’s analysis, capital either stays in BTC or leaves the market entirely.
One area of relative strength remains. The XRP/BTC pair has approached what Chart Nerd calls a historical outperformance zone several times, and buyers have consistently stepped in near those levels each time.
Related Reading: When Bitcoin Gets Ignored, It Tends To Rally The Hardest, Analyst Says
Weak Structure, Longer-Term Hope
Chart Nerd’s outlook isn’t entirely negative on XRP. Higher prices are still expected for the token over the long run, though the analyst sees it continuing to trail Bitcoin through most of 2026. Other analysts share a cautious view. Top chartist Ali Martinez has flagged a possible drop to the $0.73 region for XRP if selling pressure keeps building.
Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the statement According to an analyst Bitcoin has outperformed XRP since 2017
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What does it mean that Bitcoin outperformed XRP
It means Bitcoins price went up by a larger percentage than XRPs price over the same time period So if you had invested 100 in Bitcoin in 2017 youd have more money today than if you put that 100 into XRP
2 Why would an analyst compare Bitcoin and XRP starting from 2017
2017 was a huge year for cryptoit was the peak of a major bull market Many people bought both coins then so starting from that point shows which one has held or grown its value better over the long term
3 Is XRP a bad investment because Bitcoin outperformed it
Not necessarily Past performance doesnt guarantee future results XRP has different uses and could still go up in the future This just shows Bitcoin has done better so far since 2017
4 Does this mean I should sell my XRP and buy Bitcoin
Thats a personal decision The statement is just an observation You should consider your own goals risk tolerance and research before making any moves
IntermediateLevel Questions
5 What specific time frame does since 2017 usually refer to
Most analysts mean from the January 2017 price to today Some might use the 2017 peak as the starting point which would show an even bigger difference
6 How much has Bitcoin outperformed XRP by since 2017
As of early 2025 Bitcoin is up roughly 1000 from January 2017 while XRP is up roughly 200300 In percentage terms Bitcoins gain is about 35 times larger
7 Does XRPs legal battle with the SEC explain why it underperformed
Yes thats a major reason The SEC sued Ripple in December 2020 which caused XRPs price to crash and delayed its