I believe that 2018 will be a great year for ripple, and a lot of new people traders are joining the band wagon.
Look what happens to the Volume after the Price hits a high and what happens with the price on the following days as well as the volume.
People are selling once the price gets high and that's why the volume decreases. As we see a new high in volume we also see that the volume starts to decreases for the days that follow.
An increase in volume is directly protecting an increase in price even if it comes in a one day's lag. Inversely the same rule seems to follow. From December 24 to today there has been a daily percent increase in volume. This has followed with a daily percent increase in price.
The past day has shown a slight decrease in Volume, not effecting the price of XRP to change much, but still leaving it at a somewhat record high.
With low BTC prices right now I see People selling XRP in the short term and holding BTC as its seems that the price is going to rise. Not to mention with Take Two happening of Sigwit2x, there are a lot of people preparing for it. Cashing out alt coins to hold BTC in hopes to gain a free new coin.
I am a big believer that XRP will have a great year, but don't buy because of FOMO! It seems that the price will be dropping soon if the 24 hour volume continues to decrease!
I am waiting a week or maybe until the New Years to by more XRP, of course my decision will be reactionary to the markets, but I do think if the volume continues to decrease the price will follow and as an investor you can get more for you buck. inversely if the volume doubles it will not be immediately concurrent with the price but anticipate and increase in price.