XRP Price Prediction: Targets $2.60 by December 2026 Despite Near-Term Consolidation

XRP Price Prediction Summary

• Short-term target (1 week): $1.85-$1.92 • Medium-term forecast (1 month): $1.80-$2.00 range
• Bullish breakout level: $1.97 • Critical support: $1.82

What Crypto Analysts Are Saying About Ripple

Recent analyst predictions paint a mixed but cautiously optimistic picture for XRP's trajectory through 2026. Timothy Morano from blockchain.news recently stated on January 27, 2026: "XRP Price Prediction: Targets $2.60 by Year-End 2026 Despite Near-Term Consolidation," suggesting the token may experience sideways movement before a significant rally.

Dominic Basulto offered a more aggressive forecast on January 17, 2026, stating: "I'm predicting that XRP will hit a price of $4 this year, and here's why," representing a potential 114% upside from current levels. However, CoinCodex provides a more conservative near-term outlook, forecasting XRP to "drop by -0.74% and reach $1.88 by February 25, 2026."

The divergence in these Ripple forecasts reflects the current technical uncertainty surrounding XRP's price action as it consolidates below key resistance levels.

XRP Technical Analysis Breakdown

XRP's current technical setup reveals a token in consolidation mode with bearish momentum indicators. Trading at $1.87, XRP sits below its 7-day SMA of $1.90 and significantly under its 200-day SMA of $2.54, indicating longer-term bearish pressure.

The RSI reading of 40.83 places XRP in neutral territory, suggesting neither oversold nor overbought conditions. However, the MACD histogram at 0.0000 with a negative MACD value of -0.0405 confirms bearish momentum remains in control.

Bollinger Bands analysis shows XRP positioned at 0.2006, meaning the token trades much closer to the lower band ($1.80) than the upper band ($2.18). This positioning typically suggests potential for a bounce, but confirmation is needed.

Key trading levels from technical analysis identify strong resistance at $1.97 - a critical level that must be reclaimed for any bullish XRP price prediction to materialize. Immediate support sits at $1.85, with stronger support at $1.82.

Ripple Price Targets: Bull vs Bear Case

Bullish Scenario

If XRP can break above the $1.97 resistance level with volume confirmation, the next targets become $2.18 (upper Bollinger Band) and potentially $2.60 by year-end as predicted by Timothy Morano. A sustained move above the 20-day SMA of $1.99 would signal the beginning of a trend reversal.

For the most optimistic scenario targeting Basulto's $4.00 prediction, XRP would need to reclaim the 200-day SMA at $2.54 and establish it as support. This would require significant fundamental catalysts and broader market strength.

Bearish Scenario

Failure to hold the $1.85 immediate support could trigger a move toward the strong support at $1.82. A breakdown below this level would likely target the lower Bollinger Band at $1.80, representing the most bearish near-term scenario.

Extended weakness could see XRP test psychological support levels around $1.50-$1.60, though this would require a broader crypto market correction to materialize.

Should You Buy XRP? Entry Strategy

Based on current technical levels, potential entry points for XRP include:

Conservative Entry: $1.82-$1.85 range, near strong technical support with tight stop-loss at $1.79.

Momentum Entry: Above $1.97 on confirmed breakout with volume, targeting $2.18 initially.

Risk management suggests position sizing should account for the 24-hour average true range of $0.08, indicating moderate volatility. The current Stochastic readings (%K: 23.12, %D: 18.50) suggest XRP may be approaching oversold conditions, potentially offering better entry opportunities.

Conclusion

This XRP price prediction suggests a period of consolidation between $1.80-$2.00 before potential upside movement toward the $2.60 target by December 2026. While technical indicators currently show bearish momentum, the neutral RSI and proximity to support levels indicate a potential reversal opportunity.

The Ripple forecast remains cautiously optimistic for medium-term holders, though short-term volatility should be expected. Key levels to monitor include the $1.97 resistance for bullish confirmation and $1.82 support for bearish invalidation.

Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency price predictions are inherently speculative and subject to extreme volatility. This analysis is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Always conduct your own research and consider your risk tolerance before making investment decisions.