XRP Has Cratered in 2026, and the Crypto Rebound Everyone's Waiting for May Never Come

By Lyle Daly – Mar 30, 2026 at 5:54AM ESTKey PointsThe crypto market has recovered from previous crashes, giving investors hope that it will do the same this time.Not every cryptocurrency bounces back with the market, and XRP is one example: It hasn't set a new high since 2018.XRP (XRP +1.17%) is down 25% on the year as of March 26, part of a longer decline that started last July. Optimistic investors see this as an opportunity to buy the dip, assuming the crypto market will follow its usual pattern and recover from the latest downturn. That could happen, but there's also reason to believe XRP has a rough road ahead. Image source: Getty Images. Historically, the crypto market has recovered from every crash. That doesn't mean it will continue to do so, although cryptocurrency has taken some big steps forward during the last few years, with approval of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for several top coins and the U.S. passing landmark cryptocurrency legislation. However, even when the market as a whole rebounds, not all cryptocurrencies follow suit. In XRP's case, it still hasn't surpassed its all-time high of $3.84 set on Jan. 4, 2018, even during its rallies in 2024 and 2025. ExpandCRYPTO: XRPXRPToday's Change(1.17%) $0.02Current Price$1.35Key Data PointsMarket Cap$83BDay's Range$1.31 - $1.3652wk Range$1.14 - $3.65Volume1.9B What's particularly concerning about the crypto is that even recent positive news hasn't moved the needle. Ripple, the blockchain company that issues it, settled its long-running lawsuit with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) last August. XRP's price fell 7% over the next week. The SEC approved the first spot ETFs for the token in November, and once again, the next week saw the price drop by 7%. XRP could appreciate based on its role in Ripple's international payments network. I wouldn't write it off entirely, but I also wouldn't invest solely on the assumption that it's bound to recover eventually.Read NextMar 30, 2026 •By Alex Carchidi73% of Institutional Investors Are Bullish About This Set of Catalysts for XRP and SolanaMar 28, 2026 •By Will EbiefungWhere Will the Cryptocurrency XRP Be in 10 Years?Mar 26, 2026 •By Anthony Di PizioXRP (Ripple) Investors Just Received Incredible News From the Securities and Exchange CommissionMar 24, 2026 •By Lyle DalyBetter Buy During the Crypto Crash: XRP or Shiba Inu?Mar 24, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiThis Power Player Owns $154 Million in XRP ETFs.

Should You Buy It, Too?Mar 23, 2026 •By Dominic BasultoThis New Catalyst Could Send XRP Skyrocketing Higher in 2026About the AuthorLyle Daly is a contributing Motley Fool stock market analyst covering information technology and cryptocurrency. Lyle has been a contributor at the financial services company since 2018. His work has been featured on USA Today, Yahoo Finance, MSN, Fox Business, and Nasdaq. Before joining The Motley Fool, he wrote for financial brands including Intuit.TMFLyleDalyX@LyleDalyStocks MentionedXRPCRYPTO: XRP$1.35(+1.42%)+$0.02*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.