Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Solana (SOL) reacted sharply over the last 24 hours, as a Bitcoin-led sell-off affected altcoins and triggered forced unwinds across futures markets. This wave of crypto selling pressure triggered a liquidation flush, with traders’ long positioning getting wiped out. Such events usually lead to high volatility in the short term but can also “reset” leverage for a potential relief bounce.
Ethereum Price Drop: ETH Breaks $2,500 Support, Tests $2,200 Zone
Ethereum price fell nearly 8% and ~23% over the last 24 hours and seven days, respectively, underperforming the broader market. The key trigger was a technical breakdown below $2,500, which intensified liquidations and stop-loss selling. With ETH now hovering around the $2,200–$2,226 region, traders are watching whether this prior demand zone holds; a failure could reopen downside risk toward $1,700–$1,800.
Despite the price drop, Ethereum exchange reserves have continued to trend lower into early 2026, often interpreted as reduced immediate sell-side supply as coins move to self-custody or staking. It doesn’t guarantee a bottom, but it can support rebounds when risk appetite returns.
XRP Price Fall: Key Support Breaks as BTC Correlation Hits Alts
Ripple-backed token, XRP, also dropped as rapid selling broke a key support zone (around the high-$1.7s in recent market coverage), a move that typically sparks automated sell orders and accelerates volatility. With XRP still trading as a high-beta proxy during market stress, a Bitcoin-driven deleveraging cycle can intensify XRP retracement even without new XRP-specific headlines.
Recent on-chain data cited from Santiment suggests the XRP network has added new “millionaire” wallets since the start of 2026, often a sign of strategic accumulation during drawdowns. Separately, market commentary also points to whale accumulation versus retail selling, which can help stabilize price if macro pressure cools.
Read more: XRP Price Crashes as Macro Selloff Triggers Market Fear
Solana Price Down: Step Finance Treasury Hack Adds to Risk-Off Mood
Solana (SOL) followed suit with added pressure from a Step Finance treasury wallet breach (reported around 261,854 SOL, roughly ~$27–$30M depending on timing). Even though this is not a Solana core-protocol hack, security headlines often hit ecosystem confidence and reduce risk appetite in Solana-linked DeFi names.
Also Read: Solana Price Prediction
What Traders Are Watching Next
- Leverage reset: after major liquidations, short-term bounces often come from “forced selling exhaustion.”
- ETH: Can Ethereum’s price hold the $2,200–$2,226 area and reclaim $2,500?
- XRP: watch for stabilization above nearby broken supports and whether accumulation signals persist.
- SOL: sentiment depends on post-hack updates, plus broader market direction.
If Bitcoin stabilizes, these majors can attempt a relief rally, but until then, traders will likely stay defensive and trade levels, not narratives.
