Ripple’s XRP is again drawing debate for the divide between retail investors and institutions. Attorney John E. Deaton described it as the “most hated by institutions, most loved by retail,” sparking wide discussion on X.
His remark followed ETF analyst Nate Geraci’s post noting XRP’s market capitalization near $180 billion, briefly above BlackRock, while still being “the most hated or disparaged crypto asset.”
Skeptics point to the token’s structure. Some users on X said XRP’s pre-mined supply and Ripple’s influence limit decentralization. One wrote, “A small approved list runs the network… big changes need 80 percent approval,” calling the process too concentrated.
Others questioned whether Ripple’s partnerships overstate adoption. They argued that promotional deals create a perception of utility that may not reflect actual demand across financial markets.
Community Defenders Push Back
Supporters counter that the criticism stems more from rivalry than design. User Kitty Leroux said early campaigns from Bitcoin and Ethereum advocates, along with regulatory hostility, cemented negative perceptions of XRP. Scotty Inkley added,
“BTC and ETH are slow and cumbersome in comparison. XRP might actually shine for five/ten years before it gets beaten by an emerging tech.”
Defenders also stress that XRP’s speed and efficiency continue to attract retail interest. They argue that the community has stayed engaged despite resistance from parts of the institutional market.
Institutional Milestones and Retail Adoption
Institutional metrics show progress. CME Group reported XRP became the fastest cryptocurrency to reach $1 billion in open interest on its futures exchange. It joined BTC, ETH, and SOL in CME’s “$1B club,” often seen as a marker of deeper liquidity.
On the retail side, new products are widening use cases. Yield platform MoreMarkets partnered with Flare to launch the XRP Earn Account, offering weekly payouts without requiring DeFi expertise. Gemini also rolled out an XRP credit card giving up to 4 percent cashback, with some merchants offering as much as 10 percent.
Price Pressures and Whale Activity
At press time, XRP traded at $3.02, up 4 percent on the week. Over the past two weeks it is down 7 percent, and 8 percent lower across the month. That leaves it 17 percent beneath the mid-July high of $3.65. Daily trading volume stood at $6.63 billion, with a range of $2.89–$3.05.
CryptoQuant data shows whales reducing positions since late 2024. Analyst Maartunn said “major holders are not buying into the rally” and continue to move assets out of long-term storage. Selling has remained steady in 2025 despite short pauses.
By contrast, retail traders remain optimistic. Coinalyze reported funding rates at 0.0114, with predicted rates higher at 0.0159, indicating demand for leveraged longs. Open interest has risen to $2.875 billion. Analysts note that whale selling combined with retail leverage often leads to sharper swings when inflows slow.
Technical Levels Ahead
Short-term levels remain clear. Support sits at $2.94, with resistance at $3.13. A decisive move could set direction. Analysts say a rebound could push XRP toward $4.20–$4.50. Failure may bring the token back toward $2.80 or $2.40.
As Deaton remarked,
“XRP is the single most hated crypto by institutional and professional traders/holders. XRP is the most loved crypto by retail investors/holders.”
The divide continues as both groups weigh adoption trends and price action.
