Market Strategist: Time‑wise, It’s Already Over for XRP

In the fast-moving world of cryptocurrencies, knowing when a cycle ends can be as powerful as predicting where the next move goes. Renowned analyst Steph Is Crypto recently argued on X that, based on the weekly XRP/USD chart, the 2025 cycle has likely peaked—and not just in price, but in time.

Revisiting the 2017 and 2021 Cycles

Steph’s analysis points to key analogues from XRP’s history. In late 2017, XRP roared from negligible levels to a high of around $2.85, according to historical price data. That surge was followed by a dramatic collapse, as hype unwound and many holders were forced to exit.

Fast forward to April 2021, and XRP again rallied strongly, hitting a peak near $1.95 per CoinLore records. But history repeated: after that peak came a prolonged drawdown. These prior cycles show a pattern of powerful rises, discrete tops, and deep retracements.

The 2025 Peak and Recent Retracement

According to Steph Is Crypto’s recent chart, XRP made a definitive top in early 2025, with a weekly close that eclipsed prior cycles. Public data places that all-time high around $3.65. The current trading price of $2.11, according to CoinMarketCap, suggests a fall of about 42%.

That magnitude of drop signals more than a shallow pull-back: it’s consistent with significant cycle correction. And, crucially, Steph asserts that because enough time has passed since the ascent, the top isn’t just technical—it may be temporal.

Why “Time-wise” Matters

Steph’s thesis centers on more than price: he points to time symmetry across cycles. In his view, the most dangerous point for XRP isn’t necessarily price resistance, but a time-based exhaustion. The 2025 chart mirrors prior cycles not just in shape, but in duration—suggesting that the run-up has matured as much as it has peaked.

He also notes technical divergences. For example, in another post, he highlights a bearish RSI divergence: while price made new highs, the RSI weakened, implying fading momentum. Such setups have, in his experience, often aligned with turning points.

What This Means for Traders and Observers

If Steph’s view holds, XRP may be entering a phase less about chasing new highs and more about managing risk. Traders might consider re-evaluating long positions or tightening stops. On-chain metrics and moving averages—especially long-term ones—could become more critical in assessing downside risk.

For long-term holders and researchers, the notion of time-based cycle completion reinforces the idea that not all bull runs end with a parabolic blow-off. Some simply fade after reaching a mature point in both price and time.

Final Reflection

Steph Is Crypto’s bold assertion—“time-wise, it’s already over”—is not a prediction of doom, but a warning rooted in historical structure and technical nuance. While XRP could still rebound, his analysis makes clear that the tailwinds of this cycle may be weakening.

For anyone holding or watching closely, it may be time to ask not just how high XRP can go, but how much longer this run really has left.