Ethereum (ETH) appears to be approaching a pivotal turning point after spending four years in a consolidation phase, as recent upticks in network activity and DeFi indicators suggest renewed momentum. On October 23, 2025,
ETH
hovered around $3,896, staying within the $3,700 to $4,000 band while the broader crypto market remained cautious,
as reported by crypto.news
. The network now processes over 1.2 million daily transactions, and the total value locked in DeFi platforms climbed 8% compared to the previous week, the article noted. Experts believe that if ETH can break through the $4,400–$4,500 resistance, it could rally to $4,800–$5,000 before the year ends, fueled by increased Layer-2 integration and a deflationary trend, according to the report. Conversely, a drop below $3,700 may lead to a retreat toward $3,300–$3,400, especially if DeFi expansion slows.
At the same time,
XRP
, Ripple’s native asset, is being watched as a possible breakout contender. Since XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) debuted in March 2025, they have attracted over $1 billion in investments, with institutions such as Evernorth Holdings purchasing $1 billion worth of XRP to reach 95% of its treasury goal,
according to Coinpedia
. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is anticipated to decide on several spot XRP ETF filings—including Grayscale’s—between October 18 and November 14, the article continued. Should these ETFs receive approval, analysts estimate that institutional inflows could drive XRP’s price to the $3.40–$4.20 range, Coinpedia added. Ripple’s legal dispute with the SEC concluded in August 2025, but with spot ETF approval still pending, the 35 billion XRP held in escrow and not in circulation introduces further uncertainty for investors,
as noted by TradingView
.
The outlook for XRP remains contentious. Despite a 355% increase over the last year, some critics believe the token is overpriced at $2.50 and anticipate a correction to levels seen before the election,
according to Yahoo Finance
. Detractors point to the fragmented nature of the global payments sector and the absence of comprehensive regulation under the Trump administration as reasons for delayed widespread adoption, the report stated. Nevertheless, retail interest is rebounding, with XRP futures open interest averaging $4.51 billion as of October 28,
FXStreet reported
. Technical analysis presents a mixed picture: the 200-period EMA is providing support above $2.65, but a falling RSI and Money Flow Index indicate caution as some investors take profits.
The paths of Ethereum and XRP highlight contrasting market forces. Ethereum’s underlying strengths are supported by its deflationary features and Layer-2 scaling advancements. For XRP, upcoming ETF verdicts and regulatory developments are likely to shape its direction, though the coexistence of optimistic and pessimistic views underscores the market’s inherent volatility.
