XRP 2026 outlook: Can Ripple reach $4 amid mixed forecasts and short-term resistance

XRP dipped to $1.83 on Dec 26, 2025, then staged a mild rebound and was trading near $1.87. Short-term momentum is fragile: support sits at $1.80 (daily close below risks $1.70–$1.60) while immediate resistances are $1.94 and $1.98 — a break above $1.98 could push XRP toward $2.10–$2.20. ETF-driven interest provides background support but holiday liquidity and profit-taking limit bullish moves. 2026 price forecasts vary widely: CoinCodex predicts a narrow $1.84–$1.87 range; DigitalCoinPrice projects ~ $4.01 (average $3.59); WalletInvestor forecasts $2.53–$3.50 (average ~$3.02). Key drivers for 2026 performance include adoption, investor sentiment, broader crypto market trends, and liquidity conditions. Traders should watch $1.80 support and $1.98 breakout level for short-term entries and monitor on-chain adoption indicators and macro/ETF flows for longer-term conviction.
Neutral
The article conveys mixed signals rather than a clear directional catalyst. Short-term technicals are neutral-to-bearish unless XRP reclaims $1.90 and holds above $1.98 — otherwise $1.80 support is pivotal. Background ETF interest offers supportive flows but is counterbalanced by holiday thin liquidity and profit-taking, which typically suppresses volatility and limits decisive moves. Forecasts for 2026 range from flat (CoinCodex) to bullish (~$4 from DigitalCoinPrice) with intermediate projections from WalletInvestor. This divergence indicates high model sensitivity to adoption and macro conditions rather than a definitive event that would make the outlook unambiguously bullish or bearish. Historically, similar mixed-data periods (e.g., tokens receiving ETF attention but facing seasonal liquidity drops) produced short, choppy trading ranges until a fresh on-chain adoption signal or macro trend provided direction. Short-term traders should monitor $1.80 support and $1.98 resistance for entries/exits and use tight risk controls; swing and position traders should await clearer catalysts — sustained ETF inflows, meaningful adoption metrics, or macro directional moves — before increasing exposure.