- XRP is trading near $1.86 as ETF inflows collide with weak price momentum.
- Although the technical setup suggests a pullback, the support at $1.77 remains important.
- The outlook for 2026 hinges on discussions around adoption, usage growth, and evaluation.
XRP enters 2026 caught between ambitious long-term predictions and growing short-term skepticism.
With price performance lagging despite strong institutional signals, debate has intensified over where XRP will go next, especially after the altcoin fell below $2.
XRP trades sideways, confidence remains mixed
XRP is currently trading around $1.86 and has a market capitalization of approximately $113 billion, making it one of the world’s largest digital assets.
However, that valuation stands in sharp contrast to recent performance.
Over the past three months, XRP has fallen nearly 37%, but is still about 49% below its recent high in mid-2025.
Prices have settled into a narrow range between $1.83 and $1.91, reflecting that the market appears to be more hesitant than convinced.
However, despite this price stagnation, interest from institutional investors has not waned.
The XRP-linked exchange-traded fund (ETF) has recorded net inflows for the seventh consecutive week, with total assets approaching $1.24 billion.
These steady inflows suggest that large investors are accumulating exposure during downturns rather than exiting positions.
Such accumulation can help quietly absorb selling pressure and stabilize XRP during extended consolidations.
Bullish chart pattern collides with valuation concerns
From a technical perspective, some analysts are seeing early signs of a possible reversal.
Chart patterns such as the triple bottom near the $1.76 level and the developing inverted head-and-shoulders formation indicate that the market is trying to build a foundation.
Momentum indicators such as the MACD are also starting to turn higher, supporting the idea that downside pressure may be easing.
Still, these bullish signals remain conditional. If XRP fails to sustain the $1.77-$1.80 support zone, it could be exposed to further significant declines.
Some analysts have warned that a decisive break below this area could open the door for a fall to $0.80, a level that would signal a dramatic reset of the market structure.
This risk persists as long as price trends remain below major moving averages.
Beyond the charts, criticism has emerged regarding XRP’s underlying network activity.
Galaxy Digital CEO Mike Novogratz recently questioned whether XRP’s valuation is justified given reports that there are approximately 16,000 daily active addresses.
In his view, such numbers pale in comparison to other major networks, where on-chain engagement is significantly higher.
This discussion highlights broader concerns that XRP’s valuation may be driven more by narrative and institutional positioning than by tangible growth in usage.
But supporters counter that XRP’s role in cross-border payments and its growing ecosystem are not fully captured by simple address counts.
They also point to the regulatory transparency associated with Ripple’s legal developments as a structural advantage that could support long-term adoption.
What XRP Price Prediction Says About 2026
The most optimistic outlook comes from Standard Chartered, whose head of digital asset research Jeffrey Kendrick predicts that XRP could reach $8 by 2026.
This XRP price forecast suggests an upside of over 300% from current levels and assumes a powerful combination of sustained ETF inflows, tight supply dynamics, and broader institutional adoption.
Under such a scenario, XRP’s market capitalization would exceed $450 billion, making it one of the most valuable financial assets in the digital economy.
But even proponents acknowledge that this is a best-case scenario, not a baseline expectation.
Achieving such levels will require not only favorable market conditions, but also continued confidence in XRP’s long-term utility.
Without strong evidence of widespread network use, critics argue, the path to such an assessment will be much more difficult.
