According to crypto analysts, XRP price could proceed to consolidate in the brand new yr, with a stronger uptrend depending on further bullish catalysts.
“We proceed to consider that the second half of 2026 will provide more constructive conditions for risk assets generally, but within the near term now we have a slight bearish bias on altcoins until BTC consolidates or forms a bottom,” Jake Kennis, senior research analyst at Nansen, told Cointelegraph.
Kennis held off on specific price predictions for 2026, but pointed to several catalysts that would push the value of XRP (XRP) higher, including possible spot ETF approvals, integration with global payment rails, and “increased efforts to make XRP a liquidity or bridge asset.”
XRP May Not Be Starting a “Strong New Trend,” Executive Says
According to CoinMarketCap, XRP is down 14.63% since January 1st and was trading at $1.84 on the time of publication.
XRP has fallen by 17.03% within the last 30 days. Source: CoinMarketCap
Similarly, Jesus Perez, CEO of Posidonia21 Capital Partners, told Cointelegraph that XRP could see a sideways price movement as the brand new yr begins. “We expect XRP to stay at current levels in a constructive market scenario slightly than triggering a powerful latest trend,” Perez said.
“XRP’s upside will likely depend more on the persistence of the narrative and market sentiment than on any fundamental transformation,” Perez said.
XRP ETFs have been performing strongly recently
“While discussions around staking have emerged, the dearth of a transparent return mechanism continues to be a structural limitation in comparison with competing assets,” he added.
Source: Niels
Earlier this month, U.S.-based spot XRP ETFs surpassed $1 billion in assets, which Sui Chung, CEO of crypto price index provider CF Benchmarks, said was “as a consequence of familiarity.”
“It has a protracted history of success,” 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 conditions are making it difficult for altcoins to achieve latest highs.
