Can Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), and XRP still stage a Santa rally this year?

December has a habit of teasing the crypto market with hope. Some years deliver a late push higher, others hand out nothing but thin liquidity and disappointment.

 

As the calendar winds down, the question is back on the table: can Ethereum (ETH), Ethereum Classic (ETC), and XRP still stage a Santa rally, or has the market already packed it in for the year?

 

Recent price action suggests the mood is cautious at best. A Federal Reserve rate cut was meant to help risk assets, but the reaction across crypto has been muted. Instead of fireworks, the market got a shrug.

 

For now, the setup is clear but unresolved. Conditions exist for a late move, but until one side of the macro picture takes control, the market remains stuck between hope and hesitation.

 

ETH: Structure intact, momentum on pause

Ethereum remains the core platform for smart contracts, but ETH price action in late 2025 has frustrated many. The network is advancing, yet the token has struggled to reflect that progress.

 

ETH price charts show consolidation rather than panic and ETH price movement shows compression, which is notable given the broader market pullback. The price of ETH has held key support zones, even as volume thinned and traders trimmed risk.

 

A key factor is the Fusaka upgrade on December 3. The upgrade cut Layer 2 transaction costs by roughly 40–60%. From a user and scaling perspective, it worked. From a price perspective, it created short-term pressure. Lower L2 fees mean less ETH is burned on Layer 1, which weakens the deflation narrative that previously supported the price of ETH.

 

One stabilizing factor is accumulation. BitMine Immersion Technologies has been building a position, helping form a soft floor around the $2,800–$3,000 range. This buying has absorbed supply from sellers and reduced downside risk. However, it has not created enough demand to drive the strong ETH price movement needed for a true Santa rally.

 

At the time of writing, ETH price is trading around $2,950.

 

 

What could help ETH stage a late move higher is simple: stability. If ETH price movement remains range-bound rather than breaking lower, sidelined capital may return. On the flip side, a sharp drop in Bitcoin would likely drag ETH down with it. Ethereum rarely rallies alone.

 

For now, Ethereum looks supported, but stuck.

 

ETC: Thin liquidity cuts both ways

Ethereum Classic tends to exaggerate whatever the broader market is doing. Recent ETC price movement reflects that dynamic. ETC USD price charts show deeper swings and weaker liquidity, which can look ugly during drawdowns but also opens the door for sudden rebounds.

 

The price of ETC coin often reacts late in a cycle, especially when traders rotate into smaller caps after larger assets stabilize. A Santa rally scenario for ETC depends less on fundamentals and more on risk appetite. If ETH and BTC hold steady, ETC can move quickly simply because fewer trades are needed to push prices.

 

ETC price is trading at around $12 at the time of writing.

 

 

The risk, as always, is that low liquidity works both ways. Without follow-through volume, ETC rallies can fade just as fast as they appear.

 

XRP: Narrative still matters

XRP has one of the most narrative-driven price structures in the market. XRP price charts show periods of long consolidation followed by sudden directional moves. Recently, XRP price movement has been choppy, reflecting uncertainty rather than conviction.

 

XRP token price often reacts more to sentiment shifts than macro changes. That said, easier financial conditions do help. Lower rates reduce pressure across risk assets and can improve the tone around assets with large retail followings, which may help limit further XRP price correction potential.

 

At the time of writing, XRP price is trading near $1.90.

 

 

For XRP, a Santa rally would likely require two things: a stable broader market and renewed confidence that downside risk is limited. Without that, XRP tends to drift rather than trend.

 

Does the Fed rate cut change the game?

The latest Fed rate cut was not a silver bullet, but it does matter. Lower rates support liquidity, reduce stress in funding markets, and make holding cash slightly less attractive. Historically, those conditions help crypto, just not always on day one.

 

Right now, sentiment remains fragile. Traders are cautious after recent volatility, and year-end positioning often favors risk reduction. Still, December rallies usually begin quietly. They start when selling pressure dries up, not when optimism peaks.

 

So, is a Santa rally still possible?

Yes, but with conditions.

 

For ETH, the path higher depends on holding support and seeing modest volume return. For ETC, volatility itself is the opportunity, assuming the broader market cooperates. For XRP, sentiment and stability matter more than macro headlines.

 

The Fed rate cut helps create room for upside, but it won’t force it. A Santa rally this year, if it does happen, would likely be slow, uneven, and selective rather than explosive. In other words, very on-brand for crypto.

 

December may not deliver fireworks, but it could still offer one last climb if the market decides it’s done falling first.

 

How to buy crypto on Toobit

Toobit is a fast-growing crypto exchange, built to make your trading journey super smooth. It's secure and easy to use, whether you're new or experienced. Plus, you can buy crypto, giving you instant access to tons of digital assets.

 

First, you'll need to fund your Toobit Account, which begins by creating your account on Toobit. Registration is a 2-minute process and can be done with either email or even your Telegram account.

 

Navigate to the "Buy Crypto" section. From there, you can select the desired crypto and choose a payment method. Toobit offers various options, including credit card purchases through partnerships with third-party providers like Simplex and Advcash.

 

The platform will guide you through the remaining steps, which may involve entering payment details, confirming the transaction, and potentially completing additional verification steps.

 

Once the transaction is completed, return to Toobit and check your "Spot Account" to view the newly credited assets.

 

Congratulations, you now know how to purchase crypto on Toobit!