XRP To Trade Sideways Until 2026? Analysts Predict Flat Finish, While DeepSnitch AI Emerges As December’s Top Affordable Altcoin
XRP's price action appears stuck in holiday mode. Market analysts are pointing to a sideways trajectory for the digital asset, with expectations for consolidation lasting right through the New Year. The usual end-of-year volatility seems to be taking a break—or maybe the big money is just busy with eggnog.
The Quiet Before The Storm?
This period of calm isn't surprising everyone. Broader market conditions and a typical seasonal lull are creating a holding pattern. For XRP holders, it's a classic 'wait and see' scenario, where patience is the only currency not fluctuating.
DeepSnitch AI: The Budget-Friendly Buzz
While established names coast, attention is shifting to affordability. In the final days of December, DeepSnitch AI is getting flagged as the standout affordable altcoin. It's capturing interest for its accessible entry point in a market where 'cheap' often just means 'about to go lower.'
The real test for both will come when the holiday decorations come down and the trading desks get back to full strength. Will the sideways grind break into a decisive move, or will the search for the next low-cost, high-hope token continue? In crypto, the only prediction safer than a January gym membership is that someone will always be selling the next big story.
XRP ecosystem news remains bearish
Jake Kennis of Nansen believes that XRP will extend its bearish performance into the new year, with a new bullish catalyst required to restore Ripple’s momentum.
Although traders expected the Ripple lawsuit updates in August to lead to a huge rally, nothing of substance materialized, save for ETF success.
Kennius believes the upside in 2026 will depend on the narrative and wider market sentiment instead of fundamental improvements, similar to the recent XRP news that announced VivoPower acquiring XRP shares.
Meanwhile, XRP regulatory developments are likely on the way as XRP ETFs surpassed $1B in assets.
Since no XRP ecosystem news is expected, XRP will likely remain locked below $2, forcing many traders to explore other altcoins with more bullish short-term prospects.
Affordable altcoin overview (late December)
1. DeepSnitch AI: Can DSNT provide five-figure returns?
DeepSnitch AI’s presale kicked off in late August and slowly built a loyal base of early investors eager to test the project’s Core tools. Momentum really picked up in early December, when fresh development updates fueled 100x talk and pushed funding past $910K.
At the heart of the project is a suite powered by five AI agents, built to help traders spot sentiment shifts, FUD buildup, whale movements, and other signals that usually go unnoticed.
The first three of these AI agents are already live, with early investors expected to get access to the main features ahead of launch. That’s not something you see often at this stage.
When it comes to the projected returns, traders are confident that 100x is a realistic expectation. Even if XRP news ends up triggering a stronger rally, the upside there is still capped by its size. DeepSnitch AI, on the other hand, is built for asymmetrical returns and can MOVE much faster, especially on smaller entries.
At $0.03080, a $500 investment could theoretically turn into $50K if the 100x narrative plays out.
The returns could go even higher with large investments, as you can, for instance, unlock a 100% bonus on purchases above $5K with exclusive DeepSnitch AI codes.
2. XRP price prediction: Does the technical setup indicate a rally?
According to CoinMarketCap, on December 27, XRP remained locked in the $1.85 area.
The recent XRP news failed to provide any real momentum. For a recovery rally to start, XRP must first reclaim the $1.93 area. A move above that level could open the door toward $2.09, with the upper boundary of the channel acting as the next obstacle.
On the flip side, failure to hold current levels WOULD signal that sellers are still in control. A drop back toward $1.61 is possible, and if that level gives way, XRP could slip further toward the $1.25 zone.
3. Cardano: Can ADA break out?
ADA remained in a $0.3500 zone on December 27, with buyers failing to push the price back to $0.37, according to CoinMarketCap.
While XRP news may help support XRP, Cardano traders are left to their own devices. Yet, a clean move above $0.38 would suggest a recovery is taking shape. If that happens, ADA could grind higher toward $0.43, with $0.50 standing out as the potential target.
If the rebound fails and ADA gets rejected NEAR resistance, it would signal that sellers are still in control. In that scenario, a drop toward $0.30 is possible, with a deeper slide back to $0.27 still on the table.
Final words: Get your portfolio in order
As Ripple fans await XRP news that could help push the coin to the edge, the real action is happening with early-stage presale projects.
DeepSnitch AI stands out not only for its potential for 100x gains in 2026, but also due to its focus on actual development and generous early-access incentives for presale participants.
With around $910K already raised, interest is building fast, especially with bonus offers still live until January 1. Investors can unlock a 50% bonus on purchases over $2K using the DSNTVIP50 code, or go bigger with a 100% bonus on investments above $5K.
FAQs
1. Why does recent XRP news point to sideways price action?
Recent XRP news suggests price momentum is limited as ETF growth hasn’t translated into spot demand, prompting some traders to explore early-stage projects like DeepSnitch AI.
2. How does DeepSnitch AI compare to XRP as an investment?
Unlike XRP, which has a large market cap, DeepSnitch AI is still in presale, giving traders exposure to higher upside while XRP remains range-bound.
3. Why are XRP holders rotating into DeepSnitch AI?
XRP news shows capped short-term gains, while DeepSnitch AI offers early access, AI-driven utility, and a lower entry price that appeals to traders seeking asymmetric returns.
