XRP News Today: Ethereum Slumps Below $4,300 as Shiba Inu Drops 20% and XRP Falls 7%

Ethereum’s recent price correction has sparked heightened concern over the stability of two prominent altcoins, Shiba Inu and XRP. As of August 18, 2025, Ethereum dropped below $4,300, marking a significant shift in market sentiment and signaling a period of consolidation or potential further decline [1]. This downward trend has extended into altcoin markets, with Shiba Inu experiencing a sharp 20% drop in value and XRP falling below $3, with a 7% decline reported [3]. Analysts are closely watching whether Ethereum can stabilize, as its movements often act as a barometer for the broader crypto market.

Ethereum is currently in a corrective phase following a peak of $4,800. The 26-day EMA has emerged as a critical support level, with a break below it likely indicating continued selling pressure. The waning trading volume also suggests that market momentum is slowing [1]. This dynamic is particularly concerning for altcoins that lack strong intrinsic fundamentals and remain tethered to Ethereum’s performance.

Shiba Inu’s price action reflects a similar pattern of vulnerability. The token is close to breaking below its key support range, potentially leading to a significant price drop. If it fails to hold above the ascending triangle pattern, it could return to levels last seen in early summer, adding another zero to its price [3]. Analysts note that Shiba Inu’s exposure to broader market sentiment makes it especially prone to sharp corrections in times of volatility.

XRP, meanwhile, is in a critical position, with its price nearing the 50-day EMA. Failure to maintain above this level could trigger further declines, potentially retesting the $2.00 mark [3]. The token’s struggles are compounded by ongoing regulatory uncertainties and shifting market dynamics, which make it difficult to project a stable trajectory without further clarity.

The Shiba Inu project, while primarily built on Ethereum, has been exploring cross-chain strategies as part of its long-term development plan. These initiatives aim to diversify its ecosystem, yet the current market correction has underscored the token’s susceptibility to Ethereum’s volatility [2]. XRP’s challenges are more systemic, influenced by both market sentiment and external regulatory factors that remain unresolved [3].

Investors and analysts are now evaluating which altcoins may offer a better risk-reward balance in the current environment. While XRP and Shiba Inu remain in focus, other tokens like Solana and BNB have also entered the conversation as potential beneficiaries of a shifting market landscape [2]. The broader altcoin market is under scrutiny, with Arbitrum, NEAR, and Hedera being identified as undervalued options based on their technical fundamentals and growth potential [4]. However, for Shiba Inu and XRP, the road to recovery will likely depend on Ethereum’s ability to regain upward momentum and stabilize.

Sources:

[1] title1.............................(https://m.economictimes.com/crypto-news-today-live-18-aug-2025/liveblog/123350562.cms)

[2] title2.............................(https://m.facebook.com/manuel.guevarra.369210/photos/as-crypto-markets-heat-up-xrp-and-solana-top-2025s-altcoin-power-rankings-see-wh/748151****64747/)

[3] title3.............................(https://cryptoticker.io/en/xrp-price-crashes-percent-drop-to-2-dollars/)

[4] title4.............................(https://techbullion.com/crypto-market-correction-2025-arbitrum-near-hedera-hbar-named-top-undervalued-picks/)