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XRP jumps hard Monday. The cryptocurrency broke through key resistance levels on March 17, pushing toward the critical $1.70 threshold that traders have been watching for weeks. Trading volume spiked across major exchanges.
Ethereum didn’t stay quiet either. The second-largest crypto by market cap climbed steadily, riding momentum from recent network upgrades that boosted investor confidence. ETH’s price action looked pretty solid, with analysts calling it a clear bullish phase. The Merge transition to proof-of-stake keeps paying off, making Ethereum more attractive to institutional players worried about energy consumption. Network efficiency jumped, and transaction volumes hit fresh highs according to Glassnode data.
Shiba Inu tells a different story.
The meme coin showed mixed signals, but trading activity picked up steam. SHIB’s 24-hour volume increased 20% after getting listed on another exchange March 15, per CoinGecko. That’s not nothing for a token that faces constant volatility questions. Retail investors seem interested again, though experts like Mati Greenspan from Quantum Economics warn people to stay careful.
XRP’s path to $1.70 wasn’t smooth sailing. Ripple’s legal wins against the SEC helped, but the climb required serious buying pressure from whales and institutions. Market cap now sits above $40 billion, a massive jump from last month’s levels. CoinDesk analysts think breaking $1.70 could trigger more institutional money flowing in. And the partnerships keep coming – Ripple signed deals with major financial service providers recently, though they didn’t specify exact terms.
But skepticism remains around all three coins.
Crypto markets stay wild, and March 2026 brought fresh institutional interest that surprised many observers. Several hedge funds announced digital asset investments publicly, pumping capital into the space. Bitcoin’s influence can’t be ignored either – when BTC moves, everything else usually follows. The current rally feels different though, with individual coins showing their own momentum patterns. Market participants tracking Bitcoin Surges Past Key Resistance as will find additional context here.
Ethereum’s daily active addresses climbed significantly, showing real user engagement beyond just price speculation. The Ethereum Foundation reported network improvements that actually matter for long-term adoption. Gas fees dropped compared to peak periods, making DeFi applications more accessible. Developers keep building despite market uncertainty, which bodes well for sustained growth. ETH currently trades around $1,800, up from recent lows.
Shiba Inu’s community stays active on social media, driving awareness even when prices dip. The token’s reputation as a meme coin hurts its credibility with serious investors, but retail demand keeps surprising analysts. SHIB holders seem committed for the long haul, creating a floor of support during market downturns.
Regulatory uncertainty hangs over everything. No official statements came from major agencies about crypto policy changes, leaving investors to guess what’s next. Market participants watch Washington closely, knowing that regulatory clarity could unleash or destroy current momentum. The SEC’s approach to crypto classification remains murky, affecting how institutions view digital assets.
Technical analysis shows XRP facing resistance near $1.65, but momentum indicators look strong. If buying pressure continues, $1.70 becomes realistic within days rather than weeks. Ethereum’s chart patterns suggest further upside potential, with some analysts targeting $2,000 as the next major level. Shiba Inu’s technicals are harder to read given its volatility, but the recent volume spike can’t be ignored.
Trading firms report increased client interest in all three cryptocurrencies. Retail platforms like Coinbase and Binance saw higher user activity, suggesting mainstream adoption continues growing. Institutional custody services also reported new client onboarding, though exact numbers weren’t disclosed. This development aligns with Ripple CTO Schwartz Battles Critics Over, highlighting broader market trends.
Market makers stayed busy providing liquidity across exchanges. Spreads tightened on major trading pairs, indicating healthy market depth. Options activity increased for both XRP and Ethereum, showing sophisticated investors positioning for potential moves. Derivatives markets often lead spot prices, so the increased activity could signal more volatility ahead.
XRP’s correlation with other major cryptocurrencies weakened slightly, suggesting it might be developing independent price action. Ethereum maintained stronger correlations with the broader crypto market, while Shiba Inu moved somewhat randomly as usual. These correlation patterns matter for portfolio construction and risk management.
The next few trading sessions will determine whether current momentum continues or fades. XRP needs to hold above $1.60 to maintain its upward trajectory toward $1.70. Ethereum faces resistance around $1,850 but has room to run if buyers stay aggressive. Shiba Inu remains unpredictable, with social media sentiment playing an outsized role in price movements compared to fundamental factors.
Major cryptocurrency exchanges reported record-breaking daily trading volumes exceeding $180 billion on March 17, with XRP accounting for roughly 8% of total activity. Coinbase alone processed $2.3 billion in XRP transactions during the 24-hour period, while Binance saw similar spikes across all three tokens mentioned.
Hub: XRP price, news, and analysis
Whale wallet movements tracked by Santiment revealed significant accumulation patterns, particularly for XRP addresses holding over 1 million tokens. Roughly 47 new whale wallets emerged in the past week, suggesting institutional players positioned themselves before the price breakout occurred.
