Why I'm Still Not Buying XRP: The Critical Factor That Must Change First

XRP has plummeted over 50% from its peak, but a lower price tag isn't enough to make it a buy. Here's what needs to happen before considering this cryptocurrency again.

Back in 2024, XRP looked like a promising investment. Ripple Labs was nearing the end of its long legal battles, and election results hinted at a more crypto-friendly administration. At that time, XRP traded at just $0.70 per coin, with a market value of $41 billion.

Things shifted dramatically. XRP skyrocketed, hitting $2.70 by December 2 and $3.30 in mid-January 2025. At its peak, with a market value of $182 billion, only Bitcoin and Ethereum had a larger footprint.

That surge was too much, too fast. XRP was priced for perfection, leaving little room for gains and a steep downside. The coin was no longer a top choice.

The price chart has been diving since July, largely due to macroeconomic uncertainty. While this downturn affects most of the crypto market, XRP took a deeper six-month dive than Ethereum or Bitcoin. It's down more than 50% from the peak, and valuation isn't the main barrier anymore.

Overall, XRP has roughly doubled from 2024's election week, which seems appropriate given the lawsuit resolution. But I'm still not buying XRP until people and financial institutions actually start to use it.

Show Me the Money (Moving Through XRP)

XRP was designed to facilitate cross-border payments. Ripple Labs pitched it as a faster, cheaper alternative to the SWIFT network used by banks today. The idea is compelling: international wire transfers can take days and cost a fortune in fees, while XRP transactions settle in seconds and cost fractions of a penny.

So XRP sounds great on paper. In practice, Ripple has announced dozens of partnerships with banks and payment providers over the years. Most of these pilots never scaled into meaningful transaction volume. The company doesn't disclose how much XRP actually flows through its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service, leaving investors to rely on vague press releases.

I've been waiting for clear signs. Here's what would make me stop and possibly invest:

• Transparent volume data: Ripple publishing regular, audited reports on ODL transaction volume would help. Show me the receipts, please.
• A big bank goes on the record: Not a pilot or a vague partnership. I want a top-20 global bank stating, "We move billions of dollars with XRP."
• Some defense against the competition: Stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) are targeting the same cross-border payments market. XRP needs a reason to win beyond being first.

Without these signals, XRP remains a bet on potential rather than performance. Ripple has been making the same pitch for nearly a decade. I'd like to see it land before buying. Lower coin prices are a start, but serious real-world progress is essential.