Prediction: XRP's Downtrend Will Continue

Core Viewpoint - Cryptocurrency XRP is experiencing a significant decline, dropping below the $3 mark and down approximately 25% from its 52-week high in July, which was unexpected [1][8] Market Conditions - XRP's sluggish performance can be attributed to a general market malaise, with traders awaiting Bitcoin to lead a potential recovery [2] - If Bitcoin does not rally by the end of the year, XRP is unlikely to see a price increase [8] ETF Developments - The anticipated approval of new spot crypto exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has been a major topic, with several top investment firms filing applications [4] - Bloomberg and online prediction markets estimate a 95% and 94% chance of ETF approval, respectively, by mid-October [5] - Despite XRP being the third-largest cryptocurrency, institutional fund flows into XRP have been modest, with only $1.25 billion invested in the first eight months of 2025 [5][6] Potential Impact of ETF Approval - JPMorgan Chase predicts that $4 billion to $8 billion could flow into XRP following the ETF launch, but even the lower end may not significantly impact XRP's price due to its current market cap of $180 billion [6] - The Efficient Market Hypothesis suggests that the market has already priced in the expected ETF approval, indicating limited potential for a price bounce [7]