To assess the outlook for leading altcoins, we consulted crypto market strategist Ryan Lee, senior analyst at Bitget Research. His Q3 2025 forecast outlines the trajectories of Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP, offering insight into how each may perform in the current macroeconomic and regulatory climate.

Ethereum (ETH): Fundamentals Aligned with ETF Demand

According to Lee, Ethereum remains structurally strong, having benefited from significant technical upgrades that enhanced scalability and reduced gas fees. These developments have reinvigorated its ecosystem, fueling activity in DeFi and NFTs.

Lee notes that institutional interest—especially around Ethereum-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs)—has played a crucial role in the recent inflow of capital. With staking becoming more institutional-friendly, ETH has evolved into both a yield-bearing and growth asset.

Lee projects that, should bullish sentiment persist and ETH maintain traction in key segments, the coin could trade between $2,500 and $3,500 through Q3. A breakout above $3,500 could signal a continuation of the bullish cycle, especially if ETH outperforms in risk-adjusted terms relative to Bitcoin.

Solana (SOL): Smart Contract Challenger Builds Momentum

Solana continues to solidify its position as Ethereum’s main Layer 1 rival, propelled by fast block times, low fees, and expanding adoption. The network’s robust DeFi and NFT ecosystem gives it a competitive edge, especially among retail users and developers seeking scalability.

With decentralized application (dApp) activity on the rise and institutional recognition growing, Lee forecasts a Q3 price range between $130 and $180. He points out that Solana’s long-term success will be shaped by its ability to maintain uptime and security as user activity increases.

“SOL has the architecture to scale rapidly if macro conditions remain risk-on and users migrate from congested L1 chains,” Lee emphasizes.

XRP: Regulatory Uncertainty Caps Momentum

XRP continues to trade in a wide consolidation range, heavily influenced by legal headlines. Lee underscores that Ripple’s ongoing battle with the SEC over securities classification remains the primary catalyst for price swings.

Should Ripple secure a decisive legal win, XRP could attract fresh institutional capital and potentially break above $3.50. Until then, however, Lee sees the token confined to a $2.00–$3.50 range, with volatility elevated on any regulatory updates.

“Regulatory clarity—or lack thereof—remains the biggest wildcard. Without resolution, XRP may continue to lag peers despite its strong payment use case,” he adds.

Macro Themes Shaping Q3 Altcoin Performance

Ultimately, Lee cautions that the Q3 performance of altcoins will be contingent upon three key drivers: Bitcoin stability above $120,000, institutional participation in alt ETFs and staking products, and progress on global crypto regulation. If macro headwinds ease and capital inflows resume, altcoins could extend their upward trajectories.

However, if Bitcoin fails to consolidate gains or regulation tightens unexpectedly, short-term corrections across the alt market are likely. Traders should monitor ETF flows, DeFi volumes, and geopolitical tensions for directional cues