At a Glance
- XRP leads the undervaluation list with a -5.7% 30-day MVRV, surpassing Bitcoin’s -3.7%.
- Chainlink tops the altcoin chart at -9.5%, followed by Cardano at -7.9% and Ethereum at -7.6%.
- Bitcoin faced a steep weekend pullback amid worsening macro sentiment.
Why it matters: Investors eye negative MVRV readings as low-risk entry points, especially when major coins like XRP and Cardano are more undervalued than Bitcoin.
Bitcoin’s recent slide, coupled with a broader macro downturn, has pushed several altcoins back into the undervaluation zone. Santiment’s latest data highlight XRP and Cardano as the most attractive buying opportunities, with negative 30-day Market Value to Realized Value (MVRV) ratios that suggest traders are currently down-money.
Market Sentiment and Bitcoin’s Pressure
Bitcoin (BTC) endured a significant weekend decline as macro-economic concerns intensified. The drop forced many investors to reassess their positions, creating a ripple effect across the crypto market. As Bitcoin’s MVRV fell to -3.7%, it was classified as mildly undervalued, opening the door for altcoins that slipped further below.
Santiment’s MVRV Framework
Santiment explains that a coin’s 30-day MVRV ratio gauges the risk of entering or adding to a position. Lower, negative values indicate that average traders are operating at a loss, creating a safer environment for new buyers.
> “The lower a coin’s 30-day MVRV is, the less risk there is in opening or adding on to your position. ➖ A coin having a negative percentage means average traders you’re competing with are down money, and there is an opportunity to enter while profits are below the normal…” – Santiment (@santimentfeed) January 26, 2026
A positive MVRV, conversely, signals that traders are up-money and that entering a position could expose investors to higher risk. Santiment’s snapshot shows XRP at -5.7%, Chainlink at -9.5%, Cardano at -7.9%, and Ethereum at -7.6%.
XRP’s Technical Outlook
XRP’s price fell nearly 4% over the last week after slipping below $2. The token briefly tested the $1.81 level before rebounding modestly to $1.89 on Monday. Despite short-term weakness, technical analysts see a larger trend.
ChartNerd noted that after an explosive breakout in December 2024, XRP has spent the past year retesting a seven-year resistance trendline. The analyst calls this a prolonged “reaccumulation” phase, mirroring a formation seen in 2017 before a major upside. If the retest holds, the trend could continue.
Altcoin Landscape Beyond XRP
While XRP tops the list, other major altcoins also show strong undervaluation signals:
| Coin | 30-Day MVRV |
|---|---|
| Chainlink (LINK) | -9.5% |
| Cardano (ADA) | -7.9% |
| Ethereum (ETH) | -7.6% |
| Bitcoin (BTC) | -3.7% |
These figures suggest that altcoins may offer better risk-adjusted entry points than Bitcoin, especially for investors looking to diversify beyond the dominant cryptocurrency.
Investor Takeaways
- Negative MVRV ratios are a signal that traders are down-money, potentially lowering the risk of new positions.
- XRP’s -5.7% MVRV places it ahead of Bitcoin, which sits at -3.7%.
- Technical analysis points to a possible continuation of XRP’s upward trend if the current retest holds.
- Altcoins such as Chainlink, Cardano, and Ethereum also present compelling undervaluation cases.
For those monitoring market sentiment, the combination of macro-economic pressure on Bitcoin and the relative undervaluation of key altcoins could shape portfolio strategies in the coming weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Santiment’s 30-day MVRV data highlight XRP and Cardano as the most undervalued coins.
- Bitcoin’s mild undervaluation reflects broader market stress.
- Technical signals suggest a potential reaccumulation phase for XRP.
- Investors may find lower-risk entry points in altcoins with negative MVRV readings.
By staying attuned to both MVRV metrics and technical patterns, traders can better position themselves amid a volatile market environment.
