Ethereum trades around $2,485 and XRP near $1.40 as of September 8, 2026, with both assets posting significant gains over the past month. Ethereum is up 31.32% in the 30-day window from August 9 to September 8, while XRP is up 36.77% over the same period. These figures position the two tokens ahead of the Federal Reserve's September 16 rate decision and the Senate's September 15 vote on the CLARITY Act.
| Window | ETH | XRP | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 week | +1.95% | +2.98% | XRP |
| 30 days | +31.32% | +36.77% | XRP |
| Year to date | -15.22% | -22.74% | ETH |
| 12 months | -41.58% | -50.61% | ETH |
The performance data reveals a divergence between short-term momentum and long-term durability. XRP has outperformed Ethereum in one-week and 30-day windows, while Ethereum has sustained smaller losses year-to-date and over the trailing 12 months. In the broader market, Solana led major tokens with a roughly 40% gain in 30 days, followed by XRP, Ethereum, and Bitcoin, which is up about 24%.
Regulatory developments present distinct risks for each asset. The CLARITY Act, scheduled for a cloture vote in the Senate on September 15, would split crypto oversight between the SEC and CFTC and provide clearer legal classification for tokens like XRP. Polymarket prices the probability of the bill being signed into law in 2026 at 17%, a sharp decline from over 80% in February due to stalled progress in the Senate. Tom Lee, chairman of Bitmine Immersion Technologies, noted on the Milk Road Show that Ethereum is likely to perform well regardless of the bill's outcome, but suggested the legislation could supercharge the broader crypto movement if it passes.
Macroeconomic factors also weigh on both assets. The Federal Reserve's upper bound has remained at 3.75% since December 2025, but Polymarket odds for a September hike range from 53% to 63%. Additionally, the 10-year Treasury yield hit 4.81% on September 2, its highest level since November 2023. High yields may reduce investor incentive to hold non-yielding assets like ETH and XRP.
Investment choices depend on holding periods. Short-term traders may favor XRP's current momentum and its exposure to the CLARITY Act as a potential catalyst. Long-term holders may prefer Ethereum's resilience, evidenced by its smaller annual decline. To validate the recent rally, both assets need to reclaim their January 1 levels: $2,967 for Ethereum and $1.84 for XRP. Failure to recover these levels by the Fed's October meeting could indicate that the current surge is a temporary bounce rather than the start of an extended rally.