XRP has disappointed vs. Bitcoin in 2024 — Is a price rebound possible?

XRP (XRP) price has notably lagged in the ongoing cryptocurrency market rally, failing to revisit its peak value set in January 2018. But could 2024 be any different?

XRP lags behind Bitcoin, ETH price gains

XRP’s price returns in 2024 sit at just 1.85% despite a prevailing upside sentiment across the crypto market. For instance, Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) have gained 58% and 68.50% in the same period. Perhaps more astonishing, the XRP/BTC pair has lost 88% over the past five years.

XRP/USD daily price chart. Source: TradingView

Perhaps more astonishing, the XRP/BTC pair has lost 88% over the past five years as traders have shifted focus to the surge of investments into newly launched Bitcoin ETFs, the Bitcoin halving event, and speculation on the approval of Ethereum spot ETFs by May.

What do you think? #XRP

Buy now Onlooking #crypto #bullrun pic.twitter.com/p2hvZ1mEX0

— Poloniex Exchange (@Poloniex) March 10, 2024

Technically, XRP price has been facing extreme sell-pressure at its multi-year descending trendline resistance since December 2017, as shown below. In 2024, traders have been unable to close decisively above this trendline.

XRP/USD weekly price chart. Source: TradingView

In 2024, XRP’s slump also coincides with its declining whale count. Notably, the number of its richest addresses holding at least 100,000 tokens has declined substantially this year. This suggests diminishing (wealthy) investor interest in XRP.

XRP addresses with more than 100K balance. Source: Messari

Meanwhile, the ongoing legal dispute between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Ripple added to the uncertainty, suggests Bill Morgan, a pro-crypto lawyer tracking the case.

Related: Ripple ‘would certainly welcome’ an XRP ETF: Brad Garlinghouse

The SEC vs. Ripple case will likely drag into May 2024 after U.S. District Court Judge Analisa Torres extended the regulator’s submission deadline earlier this month.