XRP may trade sideways until more catalysts arrive in 2026: Analysts
According to crypto analysts, the price of XRP is likely to continue strengthening into the new year, with a strong uptrend dependent on many bulls.
Nansen senior research analyst Jake Kennis told Cointelegraph that we believe the latter half of 2026 will provide more constructive conditions for risk assets, but in the short term, we have a bit of bearishness on altcoins until BTC consolidates or bottoms out.
Kennis is holding off on specific price predictions for 2026, but pointed to a number of indicators that could boost XRP's price, including potential spot ETF approvals, integration with global payment systems and “making XRP a liquidity or bridge asset.”
XRP may not start a “strong new trend,” says exec
XRP is down 14.63% since January 1, according to CoinMarketCap, trading at $1.84 at press time.
Echoing a similar sentiment, Posidonia21 Capital Partners CEO Jesus Perez told Cointelegraph that XRP could record sideways price action as we head into the new year. “We see XRP holding in a constructive market around current levels rather than starting a strong new trend,” Perez said.
“XRP's upside may depend more on narrative persistence and market sentiment than fundamental change,” Perez said.
XRP ETFs have performed strongly recently.
He added: “As discussions around the stock emerge, the lack of a clear production model continues to represent a structural limitation compared to competing assets.
Earlier this month, the US-based SPO XRP ETF surpassed $1 billion in assets, according to Swee Chung, CEO of crypto price index provider CF Benchmarks, who is “to be recognized.”
Related: If 2026 Brings Alteason, Will ETH, BNB, XRP, SOL, and DOGE Outperform?
“It has a long history,” Chung said.
Crypto analysts are divided on how the broader crypto market will perform in 2026.
Crypto analyst Benjamin Cowen recently said that Bitcoin's current state makes it challenging for altcoins to reach new highs.
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