Monero Refuses to Fade: XMR Network Surges as Price Snaps Back

Monero is once again drawing attention in the cryptocurrency market after new data revealed that its on-chain activity remains resilient, even as major exchanges scale back support for privacy-focused coins.

Fresh research from TRM Labs indicates that Monero’s network usage throughout 2024 and 2025 has remained above pre-2022 levels. The findings arrive at a time when platforms such as Binance and Coinbase have limited or removed listings for privacy coins, including Monero.

Simultaneously, XMR posted a 5.45 percent price increase within 24 hours, climbing to $340.97 while Bitcoin traded largely flat, according to CoinMarketCap. The rebound has renewed market interest in a digital asset often viewed as controversial yet technically robust.

On-Chain Data Signals Continued Real-World Usage

TRM Labs’ analysis suggests that Monero’s network activity has not collapsed following exchange delistings. Instead, transaction volume and usage patterns appear stable and deliberate.

Source: Xpost

This is significant because liquidity constraints are typically expected to reduce blockchain usage. When large exchanges remove support for a token, trading access becomes more limited, which can suppress participation.

However, Monero’s case appears different.

According to the report, on-chain activity remains higher than levels recorded before 2022. That implies that demand for private digital transactions continues, despite regulatory scrutiny and reduced centralized exchange access.

Privacy coins like Monero are designed to obscure transaction details, including sender, receiver, and amount. In an environment where financial transparency rules are tightening, that privacy feature remains attractive to certain users.

Darknet Market Support and Criminal Activity Context

The TRM Labs report also notes that 48 percent of new darknet marketplaces launched in 2025 reportedly support only XMR for transactions. That marks a notable shift compared to earlier years when Bitcoin dominated illicit marketplaces.

At the same time, researchers emphasize that preference does not necessarily translate into dominance in real-world payment flows.

Ransomware groups frequently state a preference for Monero due to its privacy protections. Yet most confirmed ransom payments continue to be conducted in Bitcoin.

The reason is largely practical.

Bitcoin remains easier to purchase, liquidate, and transfer in large volumes across global markets. Its deep liquidity and widespread exchange support make it operationally more efficient, even if it is less private by design.

This liquidity advantage continues to give Bitcoin a functional edge, even when privacy-oriented actors express ideological or strategic preference for Monero.

Network Behavior and Peer Activity Observations

Beyond transaction counts, TRM Labs researchers observed that approximately 14 to 15 percent of Monero network peers demonstrate non-standard behavior patterns.

These behaviors include irregular handshake sequences and unusual timing patterns within node communications.

Importantly, there is no evidence that Monero’s core cryptographic protocols have been compromised. Experts maintain that the blockchain’s privacy model remains technically sound.

However, analysts caution that real-world network behavior can sometimes introduce metadata leakage risks, even when base-layer cryptography remains intact.

Such findings highlight the distinction between theoretical privacy guarantees and practical network-level exposure.

Monero Price Rebound Follows Extended Correction

Alongside steady on-chain activity, Monero’s market price staged a noticeable rebound.

After declining nearly 40 percent over the previous 30 days, XMR climbed 5.45 percent to $340.97 in a single trading session.

Source: CoinMarketCap

The recovery outpaced Bitcoin, which remained largely unchanged during the same period.

Technical indicators reflected strong buying momentum.

The Relative Strength Index reached 80.75, suggesting elevated buying pressure. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence indicator also turned positive, signaling a shift toward upward momentum.

Trading volume rose to approximately $69 million, reinforcing the price move.

There were no major announcements, partnerships, or protocol upgrades associated with the rally. Market analysts widely interpret the surge as a technical rebound driven by oversold conditions rather than news-driven catalysts.

Market Structure and Resistance Levels

Traders are now monitoring key price levels to determine whether the recovery can extend further.

The immediate resistance zone sits between $331 and $334. Sustained trading above that range could open the path toward $347 to $350.

On the downside, support levels appear near $328 and $325. A drop below $325 may expose XMR to further retracement toward $315.

While short-term momentum appears positive, analysts stress that continued volume and broader market stability are required to sustain gains.

Regulatory Pressure and Exchange Delistings

Monero’s resilience comes amid heightened regulatory scrutiny of privacy-enhancing cryptocurrencies.

Several exchanges have delisted or restricted privacy coins in response to compliance requirements and anti-money laundering regulations.

Regulators argue that enhanced anonymity features may complicate enforcement and monitoring efforts. Exchanges, in turn, have sought to reduce exposure to potential compliance risk.

Despite these pressures, Monero’s continued on-chain strength suggests that decentralized usage does not fully depend on centralized trading platforms.

Users can transact directly via wallets and peer-to-peer mechanisms, bypassing exchange infrastructure.

Broader Implications for Privacy Coins

Monero’s performance raises broader questions about the future of privacy-centric cryptocurrencies.

If network activity remains stable despite reduced exchange access, it could signal that privacy demand is structurally embedded rather than speculative.

However, liquidity constraints may continue to limit large-scale institutional adoption.

Market observers note that institutional capital typically requires regulated exchange access, custody solutions, and compliance clarity.

Until those factors evolve, Monero may remain primarily driven by retail users and privacy-conscious participants.

Long-Term Outlook

The combination of stable on-chain activity and short-term price recovery suggests that Monero retains a dedicated user base.

Whether that base can support sustained market growth depends on several factors:

Global regulatory developments
Exchange listing policies
Technological upgrades
Broader crypto market sentiment

For now, TRM Labs’ findings indicate that Monero’s usage has not diminished to pre-2022 levels, even under sustained pressure.

Conclusion

Monero’s on-chain activity remains above pre-2022 benchmarks, defying expectations that exchange delistings would significantly reduce usage.

While privacy concerns continue to attract regulatory attention, the network demonstrates ongoing engagement and consistent transaction flow.

Meanwhile, XMR’s recent 5 percent price rebound appears rooted in technical market dynamics rather than fundamental news.

As traders watch resistance levels near $350 and support around $325, Monero stands as a case study in how privacy-focused cryptocurrencies adapt under regulatory and liquidity constraints.

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Writer @Erlin
Erlin is an experienced crypto writer who loves to explore the intersection of blockchain technology and financial markets. She regularly provides insights into the latest trends and innovations in the digital currency space.
 
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