XRP Prints Ominous ‘Death Cross’ That Last Preceded 25% Dip

XRP (XRP) has just printed a “death cross,” a technical indicator notorious for preceding major price downturns.

XRP Death Cross Signals Selloffs Next

On May 17, the cryptocurrency’s 50-day simple moving average (50-day SMA; the red wave) crossed below its 200-day SMA (the blue wave), creating a death cross that, in traditional markets, has been looked at as a sign of a bearish phase.

In XRP’s case, this 200-50 SMA crossover has preceded major downtrends, including a circa 25% price decline between May and July 2023 and a 15% dip during the October 2023 session.

As of May 20, 2025, XRP trades near $2.34, slightly above its newly crossed SMAs, indicating the potential for a retest of lower support zones if bearish momentum persists.

The relative strength index (RSI) has also cooled off from overbought levels, now hovering near the neutral 50 mark, which may suggest a lack of immediate bullish strength.

XRP Bearish Reversal Indicator Hints At 50% Crash

Not all death crosses result in long-lasting downtrends. However, they often coincide with macro uncertainty or weakening sentiment, both of which could put pressure on XRP.

That may include the Federal Reserve’s growing odds of cutting interest rates only once in 2025 and the recent US downgrade by the Moody’s credit agency.

Adding to the downside risks, XRP’s chart now reveals an inverse cup-and-handle pattern, a bearish reversal formation. This setup typically forms after a failed bullish trend and resembles an upside-down teacup, followed by a breakdown below the “handle” support.

In XRP’s case, the breakdown level hovers around the $2.20–$2.00 range. A decisive close below this zone could confirm the pattern, opening the door to a potential drop toward $1.10 — the projected target based on the pattern’s height.

The area aligns with the 200-day SMA and prior accumulation range.

XRP’s technical setup suggests rising bearish pressure, with a confirmed death cross and an inverse cup-and-handle pattern pointing to a possible 50% drop toward $1.10. A break below $2.00 could trigger this move, urging caution amid ongoing macro uncertainty.