CMC News

Analysts Expect XRP Sideways Trading Until Catalysts Develop

Cryptocurrency analysts anticipate $XRP will trade in a consolidation pattern through early 2026, with stronger directional movement dependent on emergence of specific bullish drivers. Nansen senior research analyst Jake Kennis told Cointelegraph that conditions for #risk assets generally should improve in the year's second half, though near-term outlook for altcoins remains modestly bearish pending $BTC stabilization.

Kennis declined to provide specific price targets for 2026 but identified several potential catalysts including spot #ETF approvals, integration with international payment systems, and expanded utilization as a bridge asset for cross-border #liquidity. These developments could shift momentum if implemented during the coming year.

Posidonia21 Capital Partners CEO Jesus Perez echoed expectations for range-bound price action near current levels in a constructive market scenario. $XRP has declined 14.63% since Jan. 1, trading at $1.84 at publication time, and sits 17.03% lower over the past month according to CoinMarketCap data.

Price appreciation will likely depend more on sustained narrative strength and overall market sentiment rather than fundamental technological changes, Perez explained to Cointelegraph. Ongoing discussions about staking mechanisms have not resolved the structural limitation of lacking clear yield generation compared to competing assets.

U.S.-based spot #XRP exchange-traded funds surpassed $1 billion in total assets earlier this month. CF Benchmarks CEO Sui Chung attributed the milestone to investor familiarity with the token, noting its extended market presence as a key advantage.

Crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen recently suggested #Bitcoin's current market conditions create challenging environments for altcoins attempting to establish new price peaks. Market observers remain divided on broader cryptocurrency sector performance expectations for 2026.