XRP No Meme: Traders Warn of Downward Pressure

The cryptocurrency market has recently experienced a shift in investor confidence toward XRP. Contrary to previous optimistic expectations, XRP is now viewed not as a meme but as a fundamentally troubled asset that needs resolution. Crypto Bitlord (@crypto_bitlord7), a well-known commentator and an early supporter of XRP, has issued important warnings about the future of this token on the X platform.

Warnings from Experts and Market Data

In recent statements, Crypto Bitlord has significantly changed his stance. He declared: “Sorry if you hold XRP, but due to recent news, no one should be optimistic.” This warning is not baseless but based on actual developments within the XRP community and decisions made by Ripple leadership.

According to Crypto Bitlord, XRP faces the risk of dropping below $1 in the near future, a correction he describes as a “severe sell-off.” To understand this context better, note that XRP is currently priced at $1.40 (as of February 12, 2026), up 1.89% in the past 24 hours, but this does not alter the cautious outlook of experts.

Comments from David Schwartz, former CTO of Ripple, further emphasize these concerns. Schwartz revealed that he started selling XRP at $0.10 and does not expect the price to reach $0.25. This disclosure from a high-ranking Ripple executive has raised serious questions about the long-term confidence of the founders in their own project.

Leadership Trust Issues at Ripple

Crypto Bitlord has strongly criticized how Ripple’s founders have handled XRP. He argues that the leadership has promoted XRP as “the future of payments” while distributing billions of tokens over many years. This creates a notable contradiction between words and actions.

Crypto Bitlord also commented that XRP’s development trajectory has not met initial expectations. He believes the project is no longer a meme but is genuinely losing its appeal among investors. His previous analysis set price targets from $1.76 down to $0.043, reflecting a significant level of pessimism.

This lack of trust is not an isolated issue but reflects a broader problem within the XRP community. When early leaders sell off their holdings at low prices, it sends a subtle negative signal to later investors.

Community Solutions – The Path Forward

Recognizing these challenges, Crypto Bitlord has proposed a new direction for XRP and Ripple. He emphasizes that the XRP community needs to take a more active role in shaping the project’s future. With David Schwartz stepping down from his CTO position, it may be an opportune moment to change the governance structure.

A shift toward community-based governance could help rebuild lost trust. If XRP holders have greater influence over strategic decisions, it could lead to increased transparency and accountability.

Ripple must demonstrate a genuine commitment to its community, not just empty promises. Moving toward a more decentralized management model could prove that XRP is not just a meme but a long-term vision-driven project.

Market Reactions and Potential Consequences

Crypto Bitlord’s and Schwartz’s comments have sparked lively discussions within the crypto community. Current market data shows investor sentiment toward XRP is neutral to pessimistic, with 50% of sentiment being negative.

If more community members rally behind Crypto Bitlord’s stance, XRP could face a significant sell-off in the near future. However, if Ripple can address leadership and trust issues, sentiment might recover.

Time will tell whether Ripple can overcome this crisis. For now, investors should carefully consider their decisions regarding XRP.