A dramatic 140% increase in xrp's on-ledger payment volume and transaction count signifies a substantial rise in genuine network usage, diverging significantly from the current sideways to downward price action. historically, such fundamental growth during accumulation phases has preceded price recoveries.
The analysis is based on reported on-chain fundamental metrics (payment volume, transaction count). while it acknowledges the temporary nature of such spikes and avoids making immediate price guarantees, the data points to a verifiable shift in network activity.
Although xrp's price is currently stabilizing around support levels and remains under pressure, the surge in on-ledger activity suggests potential accumulation by larger players and increased network utility. this fundamental strength, if sustained, typically precedes a bullish recovery rather than following it.
The article emphasizes that the network working harder does not mean xrp will 'blow up tomorrow.' instead, sustained high payment volume and transaction count into the first quarter of 2026 are highlighted as key indicators for a 'recovery phase developing later,' suggesting a longer-term impact.
Cover image via U.Today Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by our writers are their own and do not represent the views of U.Today. The financial and market information provided on U.Today is intended for informational purposes only. U.Today is not liable for any financial losses incurred while trading cryptocurrencies. Conduct your own research by contacting financial experts before making any investment decisions. We believe that all content is accurate as of the date of publication, but certain offers mentioned may no longer be available. Read U.TODAY on Google News Fundamental metric rise A long way to go Advertisement Even though price action is still under pressure, XRP is starting early 2026 with a discernible shift on the fundamentals side. The most significant change is a dramatic increase in on-ledger activity, with payment volume rising by about 140% in a brief amount of time. Such a move is typically not the result of speculative noise but rather a genuine rise in network usage. Fundamental metric rise XRP Ledger's payment volume has exceeded recent averages, momentarily surpassing the 1-billion-unit mark. A similar upward trend was seen in the quantity of payments made between accounts at the same time. The combination is important. A few large transfers can distort volume in the absence of transaction growth, but an increase in the number of payments indicates wider network participation. XRP/USDT Chart by TradingView From a structural standpoint, this is taking place as the price of XRP continues to stabilize around long-term support levels. XRP is still below important moving averages on the chart and is part of a larger decline. By itself, that is not bullish. It does, however, cause the price and fundamentals to diverge. In the past, especially during accumulation phases, consistent growth in ledger activity has tended to lead rather than follow the price. HOT Stories Bitcoin (BTC) Price Prediction 2026 Coinbase's Armstrong Unveils Top 3 Priorities for 2026 XRP Price Prediction 2026 Canadian Billionaire Predicts Bitcoin Could Trade 'a Lot Lower' If This Happens A long way to go Additionally, the recent spike fits the normal transition from the end of the year to the beginning of the year. There is less liquidity, uneven volatility and rapid flow changes. These metrics should be handled as such because they are extremely time-sensitive. At the time of the observation, a 140% increase in volume is noteworthy, but it does not ensure persistence. Advertisement You Might Also Like Thu, 01/01/2026 - 20:15 Canadian Billionaire Predicts Bitcoin Could Trade 'a Lot Lower' If This Happens By Alex Dovbnya If demand is not steady, XRP metrics have a tendency to cool off rapidly. However, the overall view is positive. The usage of XRP has not collapsed despite the downward trend. Rather, as the price moves sideways to downward, activity is growing. Typically, that indicates positioning rather than desertion. It implies that larger players might be moving value and rebalancing exposure by using lower prices rather than chasing the market higher. The important lesson for investors is not that XRP will blow up tomorrow. Advertisement It is that the network is working harder than the price would indicate. The likelihood of a recovery phase developing later would be greatly increased if payment volume and transaction count continued to be high into the first quarter of 2026. #XRP #XRP Price Analysis