XRP Profitability Surges Past 90% as Altcoins Face Profit-Taking Pressure Across the Board

The altcoin market is flashing mixed signals on May 29, 2025, as Bitcoin’s dip below $106,000 triggers a wave of profit-taking that ripples across major alternative cryptocurrencies. Yet amid the sea of red, one standout performer is capturing attention: XRP, whose on-chain profitability has surged above 90%, outpacing every major altcoin and trailing only Bitcoin itself.

TL;DR

• XRP leads altcoin profitability at over 90% of circulating supply in profit, surpassing Ethereum (71.5%), Dogecoin (77.9%), and Cardano (71.0%)
• Bitcoin slides to $105,641, down 2% in 24 hours, dragging the broader altcoin market lower
• Solana drops 3.25% to $166.59, Cardano sheds 3.29%, and Avalanche leads losses with a 5.55% decline
• $11.7 billion in BTC and ETH options set to expire on May 30, adding volatility pressure
• CME Group launches 24-hour crypto futures trading, signaling deepening institutional adoption

XRP’s Profitability Dominance Raises Eyebrows

On-chain data from Santiment reveals that more than 90% of XRP’s circulating supply is currently held at a profit, even though the token’s price has remained relatively flat over the past three months. This metric places XRP well ahead of its altcoin peers — Ethereum sits at just 71.5%, Dogecoin at 77.9%, Cardano at 71.0%, and Chainlink at 80.5%.

Only Bitcoin, with 98.4% of its supply in the green, outperforms XRP on this metric. The implications are significant: high profitability often precedes sell pressure as holders look to lock in gains, but it also signals strong underlying conviction among long-term holders who have refused to part with their positions despite recent price stagnation.

Analysts at Santiment note that this profitability metric serves as a barometer for investor sentiment. When most wallets are profitable, near-term selling pressure can increase. However, the flip side — when most investors are underwater — often signals undervaluation and attracts fresh capital. XRP’s positioning in the former camp suggests a maturing holder base that accumulated at lower levels and remains confident in the token’s trajectory.

Altcoin Market Bleeds as Bitcoin Stumbles

The broader altcoin market tells a different story on May 29. Bitcoin’s 2% decline to $105,641 has pulled the entire market lower, with altcoins bearing the brunt of the selling pressure. Solana (SOL) fell 3.25% to $166.59, extending its weekly losses to over 7%. Cardano (ADA) dropped 3.29% to $0.7223, while Avalanche (AVAX) suffered a steeper 5.55% decline to $22.25.

Even meme coins are feeling the heat. Dogecoin (DOGE) slid 2.69% to $0.2148, with weekly losses approaching 12%. Shiba Inu (SHIB) declined 3.05%, and the overall market contraction reached approximately 5% as Bitcoin dominance continued to climb.

Notable exceptions include TRON (TRX), which managed a modest 0.29% gain, and Toncoin (TON), which rallied 1.62% on the day. These outliers suggest that select altcoins with specific catalysts can still attract capital even during broader market weakness.

Institutional Tailwinds for XRP Despite Price Dip

Beyond the on-chain metrics, XRP benefits from a confluence of institutional developments that could sustain its bullish narrative. Nasdaq-listed VivoPower has announced plans to establish a $121 million XRP-backed treasury — the first such initiative by a US-listed public company. This move reinforces growing corporate confidence in XRP as a treasury asset.

The XRP Ledger is also experiencing rapid ecosystem expansion. The Dubai Land Department recently selected the blockchain to power a real estate tokenization project, while new stablecoin products including EURØ, USDB, and XSGD have launched on the network. These developments expand XRP’s utility across fintech and traditional financial institutions.

On the derivatives front, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) recently introduced XRP futures products that logged $15 million in daily volume on debut. The US Securities and Exchange Commission is currently reviewing multiple filings for a spot XRP ETF, with CBOE submitting four separate applications. These institutional on-ramps could dramatically expand XRP’s investor base in the coming months.

Massive Options Expiry Looms Over Markets

Adding to the uncertainty, Deribit data shows that $11.7 billion in Bitcoin and Ethereum options are set to expire on May 30 — the largest monthly expiry of 2025. Bitcoin options account for $10.03 billion in notional value with a put/call ratio of 0.87, while Ethereum options represent $1.67 billion with a put/call ratio of 0.83.

The maximum pain price for Bitcoin stands at $100,000, well below the current market price of roughly $105,641. For Ethereum, max pain sits at $2,300 compared to the current price around $2,632. The dominance of call options at higher strikes suggests traders remain broadly bullish, but the expiry event itself could trigger short-term volatility as positions are closed or rolled forward.

Why This Matters

The divergence between XRP’s on-chain profitability and the broader altcoin market’s performance highlights an increasingly fragmented landscape. While most altcoins are succumbing to Bitcoin-led selling pressure, XRP’s fundamental catalysts — corporate treasury adoption, institutional derivatives products, and real-world blockchain deployments — create a distinct narrative that could insulate it from further downside. The massive options expiry on May 30 adds a wildcard element to the near-term outlook, but the underlying trend of institutional infrastructure buildout continues to strengthen the altcoin sector’s long-term prospects.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.