Why Is XRP Still Down 17% for 2026 When Bitcoin and Solana Are Almost Even?

XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) is currently down about 17% for 2026, while Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) and Solana (CRYPTO:SOL) have nearly erased their losses for the year. Bitcoin is down about 4%, and Solana is down around 3%. So, why is XRP lagging so much further behind when all three coins have been rallying together?

XRP Has Outpaced Bitcoin in the Rebound, but Not Solana

XRP has participated in the market rebound, gaining about 10% over the past month, outperforming Bitcoin’s 8% gain and trailing Solana’s impressive 16% increase. In the past week alone, XRP has risen approximately 8%, compared to Bitcoin’s 4% and Solana’s 9%. Additionally, trader sentiment has turned more positive, with CoinMarketCap’s Crypto Fear and Greed Index registering a score of 73 out of 100 on September 27, 2026, indicating a state of greed.

XRP Fell Harder Than Bitcoin and Solana Before the Rally

XRP started 2026 at $1.84 and is currently trading around $1.52, meaning holders require a gain of about 21% just to return to where they began the year. In contrast, Bitcoin started the year at $87,498 and currently trades near $84,261, making its recovery only about 4% away. Solana needs to gain roughly 3% to return to its starting point.

The disparity over the last year highlights this gap: XRP has lost about 46% over the past 12 months, dropping from $2.81, while Bitcoin has lost about 23% and Solana around 40%. As recently as early September, XRP was down 21% for 2026, so the recent rally has helped recover part of that loss.

XRP requires a larger gain to offset its previous losses. When a coin drops 17%, it must increase by 21% to return to its former price. Because XRP has faced bigger declines, this calculation is more detrimental to its recovery compared to Bitcoin and Solana.

Why XRP’s Bigger Monthly Gain Still Left It Behind Bitcoin

The past month illustrates this issue clearly. Bitcoin increased from $77,839 to $84,261, an 8% gain, while XRP rose from $1.38 to $1.52, a 10% gain.

Although XRP posted a larger percentage increase, Bitcoin finished the month only about 4% below its opening price for 2026, while XRP ended approximately 17% below. Thus, two coins can experience the same percentage growth yet conclude in very different positions, as the coin that fell more sharply starts its recovery from a lower base.

While buyer activity has picked up for XRP, it hasn’t been sufficient to close the gap compared to Bitcoin. XRP would need to replicate its 10% gain over the last month roughly twice to regain its value of $1.84, whereas Bitcoin could recover its losses with just half of one strong recovery month.

Why a Fear and Greed Reading of 73 Says Little About XRP

The Crypto Fear and Greed Index scores the overall market sentiment on a scale from 0 to 100 based on factors like price momentum, volatility, and trader positioning. Low scores indicate fear, while high scores suggest greed; a score of 73 reflects an optimistic market that hasn’t reached extreme greed.

Traders often use this index as a contrarian tool. During periods of extreme fear, most holders who wanted to sell have already done so. Conversely, during extreme greed, most buyers who wanted to enter the market have already purchased, meaning late buyers might end up buying at prices set by early sellers.

However, the index gauges the cryptocurrency market as a whole; thus, while Bitcoin’s strong performance can raise the score, XRP may lag behind.

Direct demand for XRP can be tracked through ETF inflows. According to SoSoValue, U.S. spot XRP ETFs attracted $75.6 million from September 21 to 25, up from approximately $9.6 million the previous week. Continued strong inflows could indicate that buyers are specifically choosing XRP rather than simply following the broader market trend.

Why Is XRP Still Down 17% for 2026?

XRP remains down 17% because it experienced more significant declines than Bitcoin and Solana before the current rally began. Despite outperforming Bitcoin in gains over the past week and month, XRP still needs approximately 21% to reach its starting point for the year, compared to Bitcoin’s 4%. The index reading of 73 does not alter this reality, as it reflects the overall market sentiment rather than XRP’s specific circumstances.

Consistent weekly ETF inflows and a close above $1.84 could help XRP return to breakeven for the year. XRP traded near $1.41 a week ago and $1.38 a month ago, which are now seen as support levels about 7% and 9% below the current price. If XRP drops below $1.38, it could reverse its recent gains and require a climb of around 33% to break even.

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