1. Lack of adoption: Despite being around since 2012, XRP hasn't gained widespread adoption as a payment method or utility token.
2. Securities classification: XRP is currently facing a lawsuit from the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) in the US, which alleges that XRP is an unregistered security. If classified as a security, it could lead to stricter regulations and potential delisting from exchanges.
3. Centralization concerns: XRP's distribution and control have raised concerns about centralization, with a significant portion of tokens held by the founding team and large investors.
4. Lack of transparency: Some critics argue that Ripple Labs, the company behind XRP, hasn't been transparent enough about its operations, token distribution, and partnerships.
5. Market manipulation: There have been allegations of market manipulation and wash trading on exchanges, which could artificially inflate XRP's price and trading volume.
Regarding the "whales" influence, it's difficult to prove without concrete evidence. However, it's well-known that large investors and market makers can significantly impact cryptocurrency prices.
Keep in mind that these points don't necessarily mean XRP will never reach $1 or that it's a "dump coin." The cryptocurrency market is complex, and many factors can influence prices.