XRP Price Prediction: Can It Reach $3?

#XRP

• Technical Resistance at Hand: XRP is currently testing the upper Bollinger Band resistance at ~$2.03. A sustained breakout above this level is critical for confirming the next bullish phase toward $3.
• Strong Fundamental Backdrop: Positive news on XRP Ledger development for 2026 and reports of large-scale accumulation by 'whales' provide a solid fundamental floor and long-term bullish conviction.
• Momentum Requires Watch: The MACD indicator shows weak momentum, suggesting the price may enter a period of consolidation or a shallow pullback to support (e.g., the 20-day MA at $1.90) before a sustained push to higher levels.

XRP Price Prediction

Technical Analysis: XRP/USDT Trading Pair

As of January 4, 2026, XRP is trading at 2.0769 USDT, positioned above its 20-day moving average of 1.8987. This suggests a bullish short-term momentum. The MACD indicator, however, presents a more nuanced picture. With a value of -0.0069, a signal line at 0.0376, and a histogram at -0.0445, it indicates potential bearish momentum beneath the surface, signaling a period of consolidation or a possible near-term pullback before a stronger upward MOVE can be sustained.

Notably, the current price is trading just above the upper Bollinger Band (2.0310), which typically acts as a resistance level. A sustained break above this band could signal strong buying pressure and the potential for a continued rally. 'The key technical level to watch is the 20-day MA at 1.8987,' says BTCC financial analyst William. 'Holding above this support is crucial for maintaining the bullish structure. A decisive close above the Bollinger Band's upper boundary WOULD be a significant technical confirmation for further gains.'

Market Sentiment & Ecosystem Developments

Current news flow surrounding XRP is overwhelmingly positive, focusing on long-term ecosystem growth and strategic accumulation. Headlines highlighting Ripple engineers teasing 2026 innovations for the XRP Ledger point to sustained developmental commitment, which is a fundamental bullish driver. Furthermore, narratives framing prices under $2 as a 'blessing' for accumulation, coupled with reports of whale activity acquiring $3.6 billion in XRP, indicate strong conviction among large investors.

'This news sentiment aligns with a 'buy-the-dip' mentality and a long-term investment horizon,' notes BTCC financial analyst William. 'While the technicals suggest some near-term caution due to overbought conditions relative to the Bollinger Bands, the fundamental backdrop of development and high-net-worth accumulation provides a solid floor for the asset. The sentiment supports the technical view that dips may be viewed as opportunities rather than trend reversals.'

Factors Influencing XRP’s Price

Ripple Engineer Teases 2026 XRP Ledger Innovations Amid Ecosystem Growth

RippleX Head of Engineering J. Ayo Akinyele has signaled transformative upgrades coming to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) in 2026, following a year of regulatory milestones and infrastructure development. The blockchain's engineering lead emphasized community contributions while hinting at undisclosed technical advancements poised to elevate the network's capabilities.

Behind-the-scenes preparations suggest Ripple is positioning XRPL for institutional-grade adoption, with Akinyele's statements implying forthcoming scalability solutions or interoperability features. This aligns with Ripple's recent focus on central bank digital currency (CBDC) partnerships and enterprise payment rails.

XRP Under $2 Called 'Greatest Blessing' as Expert Reveals Accumulation Strategy

Crypto analyst JV has identified sub-$2 XRP as a generational opportunity, disclosing his ongoing accumulation of the altcoin ahead of a potential bull cycle. His portfolio reveals a concentrated bet on digital assets as inflation hedges, with XRP constituting his largest holding alongside Bitcoin, Solana, and select altcoins.

The investor's 600% XRP gains since 2020 contrast sharply with the dollar's 20% purchasing power erosion during the same period. 'It's not about timing markets, but time in markets,' JV remarked, reiterating his 2019 thesis that long-term holders of sub-$0.17 XRP WOULD achieve legendary returns.

Market participants now face a similar proposition with XRP below $2, though the token's recent underperformance hasn't shaken the expert's conviction. His strategy mirrors institutional approaches - converting fiat into appreciating assets rather than attempting tactical trades.

XRP Whales Accumulate $3.6B as Investors Diversify with Cloud Mining

XRP is drawing institutional attention with whales purchasing $3.6 billion worth of tokens amid renewed bullish sentiment. The accumulation coincides with heightened volatility, prompting holders to explore alternative yield strategies beyond price speculation.

NAP Hash, a UK-regulated cloud mining platform, has emerged as a complementary play for XRP investors. The service reportedly enables participants to generate approximately $17,500 in daily passive income through automated hash-rate allocation and renewable energy-powered data centers. Its MiCA-compliant framework and short mining cycles (1-3 days) differentiate it in the competitive mining sector.

Will XRP Price Hit 3?

Based on the provided technical data and market sentiment as of January 4, 2026, reaching $3 is a plausible target but faces immediate technical hurdles. The current price of $2.0769 is already testing resistance at the upper Bollinger Band ($2.0310). A sustained breakout above this level is the first necessary step.

The bullish fundamentals—driven by ecosystem development news and significant whale accumulation—provide a strong supportive backdrop. However, the slightly negative MACD suggests momentum may need to rebuild. The path to $3 would likely involve consolidation near current levels or a brief pullback to support (like the 20-day MA at $1.8987) before gathering strength for the next leg up.

Key technical levels are summarized below:

'In summary,' says BTCC financial analyst William, 'while the $3 target is achievable given the positive sentiment and underlying demand, traders should monitor the reaction at the $2.03-$2.08 resistance zone. A convincing break and hold above it could open the path toward higher targets, including $3.'