Investor Sentiment Splits: XRP Optimism Rises as BTC/ETH Turn Negative

Published: 2026-02-20 00:55:23 |

Santiment sentiment metrics show a clear divergence across major crypto assets: XRP’s positive/negative sentiment ratio has jumped to multi‑week highs while Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) social sentiment has turned more negative. Over the past week BTC and ETH fell roughly 4.9–5.0%, and XRP dropped about 6.8% (XRP remains down ~35.5% over 30 days). Santiment reports XRP’s positive/negative ratio (2.19) materially exceeds ETH (1.08) and BTC (0.80). The uptick in XRP optimism is linked to recent partnership announcements and renewed community interest, which appears to be driving short‑term, news‑driven buying rather than a proven fundamental reversal. Broader market gauges remain cautious: the Crypto Fear & Greed Index reads “Extreme Fear” and CoinMarketCap’s Altcoin Season Index signals Bitcoin dominance. Analysts advise traders to weigh stronger social optimism for XRP against its recent price weakness and overall market risk. Key trader actions: monitor sentiment indicators and XRP news flow, confirm price support and volume for any XRP rebound, and size positions with tighter risk limits given elevated market fear.

Neutral

The net effect is neutral for XRP price direction. Positive social sentiment and recent partnership news can drive short‑term, news‑driven inflows and technical bounces — a bullish impulse for near‑term trading. However, XRP’s recent stronger optimism sits alongside notable price weakness (30‑day decline ~35.5%), low market-wide sentiment (Extreme Fear) and general BTC/ETH negativity, which increase downside risk if broad market sentiment deteriorates further. For traders this implies potential short‑term trade opportunities on XRP breakouts or relief rallies, but elevated risk of failure unless accompanied by rising volume, sustained on‑chain activity, or broader sentiment improvement. Therefore, the immediate impact is not decisively bullish or bearish: it favors tactical, short‑term trades with strict stop management rather than conviction long bets.