XRP News Update: XRP in 2026—Optimistic Whales and ETF Expectations Versus Bearish Trends and Presale Competitors

Coinpedia analysis.>

The future price movement of XRP in 2026 continues to capture the attention of crypto investors, with opinions split on whether it can surpass the $5 mark or if competitors like Noomez ($NNZ) will deliver better returns. At present,

is trading close to $2.53, supported by bullish signals such as increasing whale accumulation and renewed hopes for a spot ETF approval, as outlined in the Coinpedia report. Whale activity has intensified, with the XRP Whale Flow 30-DMA turning positive for the first time in four months, indicating that large investors or institutions may be accumulating ahead of significant price changes, according to Coinpedia. Additionally, technical analysis points to a long-term cup-and-handle formation that has been developing since 2020. Coinpedia suggests this could propel XRP into the $4–$10 range, provided favorable macroeconomic and regulatory conditions emerge.

Cryptonewsland analysis.>

Despite some optimism, not all predictions are overwhelmingly positive. Cryptonewsland offers a more reserved outlook, estimating XRP’s average price at $2.82 in 2025, with potential year-end highs of $3.01. This forecast takes into account ongoing price consolidation and mixed technical indicators, advising traders to stick to range-bound strategies until XRP regains its 50-day simple moving average.

FinanceFeeds report.>

Institutional activity adds further complexity to XRP’s outlook. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has underscored XRP’s function as a backbone for international payments, stating that its worth is linked to the scale of liquidity it enables, as referenced in a

. This perspective aligns with Ripple’s broader initiatives, such as its $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road to enhance prime brokerage services, as mentioned in a . Furthermore, Evernorth’s planned $1 billion XRP purchase, scheduled to begin in early 2026, could restrict supply and serve as a significant catalyst, according to a . These developments reinforce XRP’s practical use in cross-border payments, setting it apart from more speculative cryptocurrencies.

Benzinga coverage.>

Nonetheless, short-term price swings continue. XRP recently fell by 6% within a day, breaking below crucial support levels amid a wider market downturn, as reported by Benzinga. Analysts point to factors such as uncertainty over Federal Reserve rate cuts and geopolitical events, including Trump’s APEC summit meetings, as discussed in a

. Open interest remains above $4 billion, reflecting ongoing trader participation, but $17.4 million in long position liquidations reveal underlying market vulnerability, Benzinga notes.

U.Today report.>

The potential for an XRP ETF adds another dimension to the narrative. Recent S-1 filings from Bitwise, VanEck, and Canary suggest that ETF approvals are accelerating, with the Canary XRP ETF possibly launching as soon as November 13, according to U.Today. Ripple’s CEO has positioned XRP as a facilitator for global value exchange, differentiating it from speculative coins, as previously noted by Coinotag. Should these ETFs attract significant interest—similar to the $417 million inflows seen with Solana’s ETF—XRP could experience a notable increase in institutional demand, U.Today reports.

Long-term expectations for XRP vary greatly. Some analysts predict XRP could reach $10, which would value Ripple’s holdings at over $4 trillion and potentially turn the company into a financial giant, as discussed in the CryptoBasic analysis. Others, such as Vincent Van Code, believe XRP might become a primary treasury asset, holding trillions in value across more than 160 nations. On the other hand, skeptics point out that XRP’s current descending triangle pattern could lead to a bearish breakdown unless buyers push the price above the $2.68 resistance, a sentiment echoed in the Crypto.news article.

TradingView report.>

As 2026 draws near, investors must decide whether to back XRP’s institutional growth and ETF-driven prospects. With factors like whale accumulation, regulatory developments, and strategic alliances at play, XRP’s journey to $5 is possible but not guaranteed. For now, the market’s attention will likely stay on broader economic trends, regulatory shifts, and the performance of new contenders, according to the TradingView report.