Analyst: XRP may sideways in 2026 until positive factors emerge

The price of XRP is forecasted to continue its sideways trend in the near future and will only break out strongly when new positive catalysts emerge, according to cryptocurrency analysis experts.

Jake Kennis, senior analyst at Nansen, shared with Cointelegraph: “We believe that the second half of 2026 will bring more favorable conditions for risk assets in general. However, in the short term, we remain cautious about altcoins until Bitcoin stabilizes or establishes a new bottom.”

Although no specific price forecast for 2026 has been provided, Kennis emphasized several factors that could drive XRP’s growth, including the potential approval of a spot ETF, integration with global payment systems, and efforts to enhance XRP’s role as a liquidity asset or bridge.

XRP may not initiate a strong upward trend at the beginning of the new year

According to data from CoinMarketCap, since the beginning of the year, XRP has decreased by 14.63%, currently trading at $1.84 at the time of publication.

XRP has decreased 17.03% in the past 30 days | Source: CoinMarketCap Similarly, Jesus Perez – CEO of Posidonia21 Capital Partners – commented that XRP’s price is likely to remain sideways as the new year begins. “We expect XRP to stay around the current level amid a positive market environment, rather than forming a clear new uptrend,” Perez said.

Perez also emphasized: “The bullish outlook for XRP will depend more on the continuation of the story and market sentiment rather than changes in fundamental factors.”

Spot XRP ETFs are showing positive results

“Although discussions about staking have emerged, the lack of a clear profit mechanism remains a structural limitation compared to competing assets,” he added.

Earlier this month, US spot XRP ETFs surpassed $1 billion in assets under management, according to Sui Chung – CEO of CF Benchmarks, a cryptocurrency index provider. Mr. Chung explained that this result is due to XRP’s “familiarity” in the market.

“XRP has a long history of operation,” Sui Chung said.

Cryptocurrency analysts still hold mixed opinions about the market outlook for 2026.

Analyst Benjamin Cowen recently stated that, given Bitcoin’s current condition, altcoins will face significant difficulties in establishing new peaks.