The almost four-year dispute between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is over at last. But quite remarkably, the desired excitement has not appeared. No matter the investors who were sure of a sensational XRP rally, now they are confused with a new question — how did things turn out this way that the price is falling down?
On March 19, the announcement that the lawsuit had been settled briefly propelled XRP to $2.60. The surge was unexpectedly not durable. Instead of continuing to go up, XRP quickly changed its direction to make a drop of almost 20% in that position. At the end of the week, it decreased by 14%, ranking it the worst performer among the top 10 altcoins.
Not only that, but Ethereum slid 11%, Solana 9%, and XRP went down 45% at a time whilst Bitcoin had a correction of 5.5%. Even without the legal issue, the possibility of a bullish trend due to a growth in the market value was anticipated by many. Instead, now XRP is trading at a price below $2.10, less than the highest point when the lawsuit was reported.
Global Interest in XRP Hits Bottom
XRP’s problem isn’t just about price. Google Trends shows that global search interest in the cryptocurrency has dropped to just 16. That’s a sharp fall from January when it hit a perfect 100—right around the deadline for Ripple’s appeal. During that earlier surge in attention, XRP even saw a 5% price jump.
Source: Google Trends
The dramatic fall in public curiosity after the lawsuit ended tells its own story. While legal clarity was expected to boost confidence, it may have also ended the constant buzz that kept XRP relevant in public conversation. The chatter has gone quiet, and so has the broader interest.
Was the SEC unknowingly fueling XRP’s hype all along? Attorney Fred Rispoli noted that Ripple should expect an official statement from the SEC within 60 days. Until then, the silence continues. In previous cases like Kraken and Cumberland, the SEC provided clear public statements. The delay this time raises eyebrows.
Ripple’s Legal Win, But At What Cost?
Ripple might have walked out legally clearer, but XRP’s market outlook hasn’t improved. Enthusiasts who once dreamed of the token soaring to $10 post-lawsuit are now rethinking their expectations. After all, XRP has shown sharp moves during major events, such as the spike tied to Donald Trump’s election. Why didn’t this win deliver the same?
Social media debates around the case had kept XRP in the headlines. Gary Gensler’s frequent comments, plus legal heavyweights stepping into the ring, made XRP a regular talking point. But now that the drama has ended, so has the spotlight.
The end of the lawsuit was supposed to open a new chapter. Instead, XRP is stuck in a quiet stretch—searches are down, sentiment is fading, and the SEC remains silent. Whether this is a pause before another rally or the start of a long slump remains to be seen.