New York, January 25, 2026, 12:20 (EST) — Market closed.
- XRP dropped roughly 4% in the last 24 hours, slipping more than bitcoin and ether.
- As the Fed decision week approaches, traders remain focused on rate expectations, which continue to steer risk appetite.
- The U.S. SEC’s decision to drop its case against Gemini is fueling fresh debate over Washington’s approach to crypto regulation.
XRP dropped nearly 4% on Sunday, sliding to around $1.84 during weekend trading as investors pulled back ahead of the Federal Reserve’s decision week. Bitcoin and ether also dipped, falling about 1.6% and 2.1% respectively. Over the past 24 hours, XRP fluctuated between roughly $1.84 and $1.92. (CoinMarketCap)
U.S. financial markets are closed, leaving crypto flows looking uneven. This matters now, as the next big test for risk assets arrives midweek. Traders are likely to use Monday’s reopening of stocks and Treasuries to adjust their positions.
The Fed’s policy panel convenes January 27-28, with a statement scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Wednesday and a press briefing at 2:30 p.m. No rate changes are anticipated, though investors will watch closely for any change in Chair Jerome Powell’s tone amid rising political pressure. (Federal Reserve)
Crypto usually behaves like a high-volatility risk asset when interest rates dominate the narrative. If investors expect borrowing costs to remain elevated longer, demand for speculative trades can dry up quickly, particularly over weekends when liquidity is thinner.
Regulation moves into focus. On Friday, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission agreed to drop its enforcement case against Gemini’s lending program, following customers’ recovery of assets through the Genesis bankruptcy, a court filing shows. The SEC emphasized the dismissal doesn’t signal its stance on any other matters. (Reuters)
In the case of XRP, U.S. regulations still loom large given the token’s close ties to Ripple Labs and its history of SEC disputes. Back in March 2025, Ripple announced the SEC had dropped its appeal against a 2023 decision on XRP sales, ending a legal battle that stretched back to 2020. CEO Brad Garlinghouse hailed the development as a “resounding victory.” (Reuters)
Supply remains a key focus for investors. An ETF prospectus filed with the SEC notes that XRP is a pre-mined token, with 100 billion created at launch. Founders hold onto 20 billion, while the remainder is either allocated to Ripple Labs or released on a set schedule. (SEC)
That said, the setup works both ways. A clearer, steadier line from the Fed might boost overall risk appetite. On the flip side, any cautious signals on inflation or new policy news from Washington could drive traders to pull back into cash, hitting altcoins harder than bitcoin.
Wednesday’s Fed statement and Powell’s press conference stand out as the next big catalyst, likely shaping risk appetite heading into month-end. For XRP traders, that event could outweigh any technical levels on the chart.
