Can Ethereum (ETH) Follow in Ripple’s (XRP) Footsteps This Cycle?

Summary

• Even with a slight recent uptick, ETH remains one of the poorest performers over the last few months, unable to reach its previous all-time high and significantly dropping in value.
• Nevertheless, one expert suggests this situation might actually benefit the second-largest cryptocurrency, potentially leading to a significant rally akin to XRP’s.

Can ETH Mirror XRP’s Surge?

Despite not being able to approach or surpass its all-time high exceeding $4,800, ETH attempted a comeback after the recent US elections, rising from $2,400 to just above $4,000. Unfortunately, it couldn’t sustain this upward trend and began to rapidly decline in early 2025, marking a rough period for the cryptocurrency.

In April, ether encountered further struggles, plummeting to approximately $1,400, erasing many years of value accumulation. Although it did recover to nearly $1,800 at the time of writing, it remains below the levels seen before the elections, down almost $2,000 since July when Ethereum ETFs were launched in the US.

This challenging situation is evident from various perspectives—large holders are selling off, Galaxy Digital has opted for SOL over ETH, and significant ETF withdrawals are observed, among other signs. Yet, some analysts perceive this gloomy atmosphere in Ethereum’s landscape as a possible long-term investment opportunity.

Recall when XRP struggled and many thought it was finished? Now, ETH is facing a similar situation.

Institutional interest is on the rise.

Don’t ignore this.

Do your own research.

In contrast, XRP emerged as a standout performer in late 2024 and early 2025, climbing significantly from $0.6 to nearly $3.4. Although it fell short of breaking its all-time high from 2018, it came very close. Despite recent corrections across the market, Ripple’s token remains well above $2 and has reduced the market cap gap with ETH.

CryptoBusy compared XRP’s prolonged price stagnation with ETH’s current underperformance, predicting that institutional demand for ETH is poised to increase soon.

When Will ETH Experience Its Next Surge?

Wess shared with their 100,000 followers that inflows into ETH are “increasing rapidly,” noting that the market has yet to catch up. Identifying as a “meme coin degen,” they indicated that Ethereum recorded its largest single-day inflow into accumulation addresses on April 22, hinting that “serious investors are clearly stocking up while prices linger around $1,750.”

Wess also mentioned that on-chain activity is gaining momentum, with a 10% rise in active addresses over two days. However, DEX trading volumes appear stagnant, DeFi remains lethargic, and general usage has not yet reflected these ETH inflows. This led Wess to question whether this represents “quiet” accumulation by whales ahead of a price rally or if it’s merely an attempt to catch a falling knife in a longer downward trend.

ETH inflows are surging… but is the market responding (yet)?

Ethereum just saw its largest-ever daily inflow into accumulation addresses: 449K ETH on April 22.

Serious investors are clearly accumulating while prices float around $1,750.

On-chain activity is increasing too…