In December 2025, the crypto market faced a harsh winter, and XRP—one of the top five tokens by market capitalization—was not spared from the downturn. According to the latest data from Gate, as of December 29, XRP is trading at $1.905. While it saw a 1.64% gain over the past 24 hours, the overall trend remains bearish.
At the same time, on-chain data reveals that wallets holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP have sold over 390 million tokens recently, with a total value of about $783 million. This marks the largest weekly outflow among mid-sized whale wallets in months. Amid the prevailing pessimism, an attorney supporting XRP publicly refuted rumors on social media that the Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit would be delayed until late 2026, stating that a resolution is likely in the near term.
Market Dynamics: Whale Sell-Offs and XRP Price Movements
As December 2025 began, XRP faced intense selling pressure. On-chain analytics show that mid-sized whale wallets holding between 1 million and 10 million XRP sold more than 390 million tokens in the past week, totaling roughly $783 million in market value. This represents the largest weekly outflow from this group in several months and has put direct downward pressure on the XRP price. Meanwhile, Ripple made a significant transfer on December 23, moving 65 million XRP (worth over $121 million) to an unknown address.
Although Ripple explained this as routine treasury management, market participants worry it could signal further selling ahead. These large-scale fund movements, combined with overall weakness in the crypto market, have made XRP one of the most vulnerable major assets in December.
Price Analysis: Real-Time XRP Performance on Gate
As of December 29, 2025, the latest data from Gate shows XRP trading against the US dollar at $1.905. While the price has ticked up slightly over the previous 24 hours, it is still down about 15% from its early December highs, continuing the token’s weak performance for the month.
From a technical perspective, XRP has recently lost several key support levels, including the psychological $2.00 mark and the technical support at $1.87. This price movement reflects market concerns over whale sell-offs and the broader weakness in the crypto sector.
Legal Background: SEC Lawsuit Developments and Attorney Insights
While XRP’s price remains under pressure, Bill Morgan, an attorney who supports XRP, shared his views on the Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit via social media. He dismissed rumors that the case would be delayed until late 2026, stating that such an outcome is unlikely unless Judge Torres rejects the current joint request. Morgan believes the most probable scenario is that both parties will accept a summary judgment, penalties, and a permanent injunction. While a breakdown in settlement could lead to two rounds of appeals, he considers this outcome unlikely.
This legal perspective is significant for XRP investors, as it dispels uncertainty about a prolonged case timeline. With the court awaiting SEC filings due by mid-August, expectations are rising that the case could be resolved before 2026.
Market Outlook: XRP’s Technical Patterns and Future Prospects
Despite short-term headwinds, technical analysts have identified some potentially positive signals for XRP. Legendary chartist Peter Brandt suggests that the weekly chart for XRP may be forming a head-and-shoulders pattern. Brandt notes that the current price area near $1.99 sits right at the neckline support; he would only reconsider this structure if XRP closes below the $1.87 level. This technical analysis indicates that XRP could be establishing a significant bottom.
On-chain data shows that whale wallets holding between 100 million and 1 billion XRP have increased their holdings from 8.08 billion on December 11 to 8.15 billion most recently, shifting from selling to accumulation. This change in behavior contrasts with previous selling pressure and may signal a subtle shift in market sentiment.
Investor Strategies: Finding Opportunities in a Volatile Market
For investors trading XRP on Gate, the current market environment presents both challenges and opportunities. Faced with whale sell-offs and declining prices, investors should consider diversified strategies, including portfolio diversification, setting stop-losses, and regularly reassessing their holdings.
Looking ahead, XRP’s fundamentals remain noteworthy. Ripple’s ongoing expansion in global payments, its partnerships with financial institutions, and potential legal resolutions could all serve as catalysts for a future price rebound. Geoffrey Kendrick, an analyst at Standard Chartered, predicts that XRP could reach $8 in 2026. This forecast is based on positive legal and regulatory developments, as well as continued adoption of XRP in cross-border payments.
Despite the whale sell-off storm, XRP’s price on Gate has shown a degree of resilience. Optimism from attorneys about resolving the legal case before 2026 aligns with technical analysts’ observations of a potential bottom. On-chain data indicates that some whales have shifted from selling to accumulation, hinting at a subtle change in market sentiment. As the crypto market enters a new year, XRP investors will be closely watching legal developments, technical breakthroughs, and institutional adoption. Regardless of market volatility, XRP remains a key player in global payments, and its long-term growth trajectory continues to warrant attention.
