Discover what drove the crypto market dip, key levels, and investor outlook. SUI fell 3.37% to $3.32 and XRP dropped 3.30% to $2.85. Friday morning, August 29, 2025, brought a sharp downturn across the cryptocurrency market. Major altcoins including XRP, SUI, and Dogecoin slipped noticeably, with traders pointing to profit-taking, regulatory uncertainty, and token unlock schedules as primary drivers of the move.
For retail investors, the declines served as a reminder of crypto’s notorious volatility—especially in the wake of regulatory news cycles and macroeconomic pressures. While Bitcoin remained relatively stable compared to smaller tokens, sentiment across the market tilted bearish.
This article breaks down the key numbers, causes, and technical levels you should know about, with insights into what comes next for XRP and SUI in particular.
Scoreboard: Key Market Movements
The morning session saw notable losses across multiple top cryptocurrencies.
- SUI (SUI/USD): Fell 3.37% to $3.32 — the sharpest decline among major assets.
- XRP (XRP/USD): Dropped 3.30% to $2.85, erasing gains from earlier in the week.
- Dogecoin (DOGE/USD): Slipped 2.89% to $0.21, continuing its sideways-to-downtrend pattern.
- Bitcoin (BTC/USD): Held relatively firm but failed to break above $64,500 resistance, keeping pressure on altcoins.
- Ethereum (ETH/USD): Softened about 1.8%, trading near $3,180.
These percentage moves may seem modest, but for short-term traders and leveraged positions, such swings often spark liquidations and further selling pressure.
Why Did XRP and SUI Drop Today?
1. Profit-Taking After Rally
- XRP surged earlier in August following positive momentum from the Ripple-SEC legal resolution.
- Traders who entered positions during the legal hype phase began locking in profits as momentum slowed.
- High volumes on exchanges like Binance and Coinbase showed whales trimming positions.
2. Regulatory Overhang
- The U.S. continues to debate crypto ETF approvals. While Ethereum ETFs are gaining traction, there are no immediate plans for an XRP-specific ETF.
- Lack of regulatory clarity breeds caution among institutional players, keeping demand subdued.
3. Token Unlock Schedules
- Ripple’s monthly release of XRP tokens (a long-standing practice) added extra supply to the market.
- Even predictable unlocks create short-term sell pressure as liquidity expands.
4. Wider Altcoin Weakness
- Bitcoin’s inability to sustain higher levels created a risk-off tone.
- Altcoins like SUI and XRP are more sensitive to macro shifts, and when BTC consolidates, traders often pull capital from riskier tokens.
Weekly & Monthly Context: Are These Drops Normal?
XRP’s Volatility Track Record
- Over the past month, XRP has seen four straight losing sessions, totaling roughly –8% from local highs.
- Despite pullbacks, XRP has also enjoyed several double-digit rallies earlier this summer, making it one of the most volatile top-10 tokens.
- Weekly trend: Consolidation between $2.81 support and $3.18 resistance.
SUI’s Rollercoaster Ride
- SUI has been a high-beta altcoin since its launch, with swings between $2.95 and $3.55 in August alone.
- Technical traders see $3.20–$3.30 as a key demand zone, but sentiment suggests another test lower is possible.
- Weekly trend: Multiple 3–5% moves in either direction—common for a low-cap altcoin.
Comparing to Broader Market
- Bitcoin is consolidating below $65,000, keeping altcoins range-bound.
- Ethereum’s struggles near $3,200 add to the sector’s cautious tone.
- Risk-on rallies in July have cooled significantly, with trading volume slipping 15–20% week over week.
Technical Analysis: Support and Resistance Levels
XRP/USD
- Support: $2.81–$2.85 zone (strong buyer interest previously).
- Resistance: $3.17–$3.18 (short-term ceiling).
- Indicators:
- RSI: Cooling near 45, suggesting neutral-to-bearish momentum.
- Moving Averages: 50-day MA is flattening; 200-day MA remains upward sloping, long-term trend intact.
- Volume: Profit-taking confirmed by above-average sell volume on major exchanges.
SUI/USD
- Support: $3.20–$3.25 (tested multiple times this month).
- Resistance: $3.45–$3.50.
- Indicators:
- RSI: At ~43, showing room for further downside before oversold conditions.
- MACD: Bearish crossover forming on daily timeframe.
- Volume: Declining trading activity, suggesting sellers have upper hand until stronger demand re-emerges.
DOGE/USD
- Support: $0.20 psychological level.
- Resistance: $0.23 short-term ceiling.
- Note: Meme coin momentum is weak, with volume drying up compared to July.
On-Chain & News Catalysts to Watch
- Ripple Token Unlocks: Monthly supply additions will remain a headwind unless offset by strong demand.
- Regulation: Any news on crypto ETFs—especially regarding XRP or altcoin baskets—could be a game-changer.
- Bitcoin Dominance: Currently at 51.5%; a continued rise means altcoins like SUI and XRP may underperform.
- Macro Factors: U.S. inflation data and Fed commentary continue to impact risk assets, including crypto.
- Social Sentiment: Monitoring platforms like LunarCrush shows declining retail enthusiasm for XRP over the past two weeks.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Outlook
Short-Term (September 2025)
- XRP: Could bounce back toward $3.18 if support at $2.85 holds, but further weakness likely if Bitcoin falters.
- SUI: Projected to remain volatile; further corrections possible, but $3.20 may present buying opportunities for risk-tolerant traders.
Long-Term (Q4 2025 and Beyond)
- XRP: Regulatory clarity remains the big wildcard. If Ripple secures new institutional partnerships or if ETF momentum builds, upside potential remains significant.
- SUI: As a newer ecosystem coin, long-term adoption will depend on developer traction and DeFi/NFT growth on the Sui network.
Retail Investor Angle: Why This Matters
For everyday traders, these moves highlight important lessons:
- Volatility is Normal: A 3–5% daily swing is routine in crypto.
- Understand Supply Schedules: Token unlocks (like Ripple’s monthly XRP release) can impact prices.
- Regulation Shapes Sentiment: News about ETFs and lawsuits can shift markets more than charts.
- Set Alerts for Key Levels: Knowing support/resistance helps retail investors avoid emotional trading.
- Diversify Risk: Don’t overexpose to a single altcoin, especially during regulatory uncertainty.
FAQs: XRP and SUI Price Drops
Q1: Why did XRP fall on August 29, 2025?
XRP declined due to profit-taking after its earlier rally, token unlock pressures, and broader regulatory uncertainty.
Q2: Why did SUI drop today?
SUI mirrored sector-wide weakness, with altcoins retreating as Bitcoin struggled to maintain highs.
Q3: Where are the next support levels?
XRP has support near $2.81–$2.85, while SUI’s key level is $3.20–$3.25.
Q4: Should retail investors worry about these drops?
Not necessarily. Short-term volatility is common. Long-term outlook depends on regulation, adoption, and macro sentiment.
Q5: What indicators are traders watching?
RSI, MACD, and volume trends, along with resistance levels at $3.17 (XRP) and $3.45 (SUI).
Conclusion: A Healthy Pullback or Bearish Warning?
The August 29, 2025 crypto dip was driven by classic short-term forces: profit-taking, token unlocks, and sector-wide risk-off sentiment. XRP and SUI led the declines, while Bitcoin held steady but uninspiring.
For active traders, the next few days hinge on whether support levels at $2.85 (XRP) and $3.20 (SUI) can hold. For long-term investors, these pullbacks may present opportunities—provided you believe in the underlying ecosystems and can weather volatility.
Ultimately, crypto remains a market where regulatory clarity, macro conditions, and technical signals all converge to shape price action. Staying informed and disciplined is the best defense against surprises—because in crypto, the only constant is change.