As January draws to a close and the euphoria surrounding President Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance fades, the market has entered a phase of uncertainty.
Crypto market sentiment has taken a hit after a massive price surge leading up to and just after Trump’s swearing-in. This ensuing roadblock has led traders to question what comes next for the digital asset space.
In a recent commentary, Brian Quinlivan, Director of Marketing at Santiment, provided a breakdown of the latest market trends, standout performers, and what to expect in the coming weeks.
Trump’s Crypto Agenda Drives Initial Surge, But Euphoria Fades
Notably, Bitcoin’s price soared to new heights on the back of Trump’s inauguration, hitting an all-time high of $109,300. This rally follows optimism surrounding Trump’s crypto-friendly policies, including plans to establish the U.S. as a blockchain leader and set up a national Bitcoin reserve.
However, as the initial euphoria fades, so too does the momentum. Bitcoin’s price has since retreated to under $98K but currently hovers around $102,600.
Despite this relatively modest dip, the broader crypto community has shown signs of panic. Many traders who entered the market during the euphoric highs are now facing the reality of market fluctuations.
XRP Emerges as a Standout Performer Amid Market Dip
While the majority of the market has experienced losses, one notable exception has been XRP, which boasts a 51% gain over the past 30 days.
Quinlivan attributes XRP’s rise to several factors, including Ripple receiving final approval for its RLUSD stablecoin. This milestone, combined with increasing institutional adoption, has buoyed investor confidence in XRP.
Moreover, Ripple’s streak of strategic partnerships has also boosted XRP’s value. The latest in the line is its collaboration with Ondo Finance to bring tokenized U.S. Treasury securities to the XRP Ledger.
Essentially, XRP’s expanding role in cross-border payments and its growing credibility in the financial sector continue to support its uptrend.
Sentiment Swings and Key Players to Watch
Notably, the social media landscape shows growing anxiety among Bitcoin and Ethereum traders. After dipping below the $100K mark, Bitcoin saw its lowest sentiment of 2025, with negative comments flooding platforms like X, Reddit, and Telegram.
Meanwhile, Ethereum’s underperformance has led to a decline in sentiment, reaching historic lows. Traders are now watching closely for a potential break of the $3K support level.
On the other hand, XRP remains in the positive sentiment camp, at least for now. However, skepticism is creeping in as the asset cools off after the early-month surge that took it to $3.
Meanwhile, Solana experienced a significant drop in sentiment after technical difficulties and a sharp price correction from near $300 just before Trump’s inauguration.
What’s Next for Crypto in February?
Amid this, Quinlivan suggested keeping an eye on institutions like MicroStrategy, which has continued to accumulate Bitcoin at a rapid pace. In January alone, the firm added more than 24,000 BTC to its balance sheet.
Furthermore, Quinlivan noted that the future of crypto remains bright, especially with Trump’s initiatives, which could fuel long-term growth. However, he also pointed out that short-term volatility will likely persist, providing buying opportunities for retail investors who can weather the ups and downs.
“Trade safely. We’ll continue to share further updates and developments as the calendar turns to February,” he concluded.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
