Crypto commentator and lawyer Bill Morgan has revealed that Bitcoin and XRP prices are far more correlated than many assume. Using an AI-based analysis tool, Morgan found a 96% seven-day price correlation and an 81% correlation over the past 39 days, as of May 2026.
Short-Term Correlation Data: 96% Weekly, 81% Monthly
Morgan shared the results on social media, stressing that the two large-cap crypto assets have moved in near lockstep during recent market swings. The 96% correlation over the past week and the 81% reading over a longer window suggest that short-term price discovery for XRP remains tightly coupled with Bitcoin, not independent.
"Bitcoin and XRP prices exhibit a very close correlation both weekly and monthly. The data does not support the idea that XRP is enjoying fully independent price action," Morgan said.
Ripple Escrow vs. Bitcoin Dominance
XRP is the native token of Ripple, a firm focused on blockchain-based payment rails. A popular belief among XRP holders is that Ripple's routine escrow releases—regular token unlocks from a reserve—can drive XRP price independently. But Morgan's data challenges that narrative: even with its unique supply schedule, XRP's price in the short term is still tethered to Bitcoin.
The finding has divided the XRP community. Some argue that Bitcoin's gravitational pull shapes all altcoins, while others maintain that Ripple's business developments will ultimately steer XRP over the medium to long term.
Community Divergence and Trading Implications
The high short-term correlation may force crypto investors to rethink strategies built on XRP's purported independence. If XRP remains a Bitcoin proxy in the short run, trading models that assume separate price paths could break down. Whether Bitcoin's influence will continue to dominate XRP pricing in the months ahead remains an open question.