Market Strategist: I Just Changed My XRP Price Prediction for 2026

XRP is showing a technical setup that could determine whether its recent recovery develops into a broader bullish trend, according to crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto.

In a new video shared alongside a tweet announcing that he had changed his 2026 XRP price prediction, the analyst examined historical price movements and identified $1.30 as the key level XRP needs to reclaim before a larger move higher could develop.

Analyst Compares Current XRP Setup With Previous Market Cycles

Steph Is Crypto focuses on XRP’s two-week chart and its position relative to the Gaussian channel. He explained that trading above the channel generally indicates a strong bullish trend, while moves below it have previously coincided with significant market bottoms.

According to the analyst, XRP briefly moved below the Gaussian channel in 2017 before recovering sharply. He said that move eventually marked the bear market bottom, followed by a significant advance in XRP’s price.

He also pointed to a similar development in 2020, when XRP remained below the Gaussian channel for approximately 28 days before recovering. Steph Is Crypto said that period also marked a bear market bottom and preceded a major bullish phase.

The analyst identified another comparable move in 2022, when XRP reached the lower part of the Gaussian channel and briefly traded below it. He said that move also preceded a recovery and the beginning of another bullish period.

Steph Is Crypto believes XRP has now produced a similar signal after spending roughly 28 days below the Gaussian channel. He highlighted the recent rebound and questioned whether the current move represents another market bottom or a temporary recovery before another decline.

$1.30 Remains the Critical Resistance Level

To assess the current setup, Steph Is Crypto turned to XRP’s weekly chart and examined its EMA ribbons. He noted that XRP is currently retesting the EMA ribbons from below, with the $1.30 area representing an important resistance zone.

According to his analysis, the $1.30 region previously provided substantial support between February and May 2026. After XRP lost that support, the price fell sharply. Steph Is Crypto now considers the area important because XRP is testing it again for the first time since the breakdown.

He said XRP would need several daily closes above $1.30, with a weekly close above the level providing a stronger confirmation, before the recovery could gain further credibility.

Analyst Identifies $1.65 as the Next Major Level

If XRP successfully reclaims $1.30, Steph Is Crypto expects the price could move toward the upper boundary of the EMA ribbons around $1.64 to $1.65.

He described that zone as another important decision point. A break above the EMA ribbons, according to his analysis, could signal the beginning of a new major bullish trend for XRP.

While Steph Is Crypto acknowledged the possibility that the current recovery could prove to be a fakeout, he said the technical structure currently shows significant bullish momentum. His revised 2026 prediction therefore appears to depend heavily on XRP’s ability to reclaim and hold the key resistance levels he identified.