The market is currently debating if Ripple is in a controlled retreat or quietly laying the groundwork for a reversal. While the macro bias remains bearish, the selling pressure is looking a bit exhausted, leading to speculation of a quiet accumulation phase before the next move.
XRP is currently trading at $2.04, sitting just below its 20- and 200-day EMAs, which keeps the bears firmly in the driver's seat. However, momentum indicators like the RSI are hovering near a neutral 50, suggesting sellers aren't pressing the pedal to the metal. The hourly chart paints a similar picture: a clear bearish tilt, but with an RSI nearing oversold territory at 34.93, hinting that the easy downside may already be behind us for this leg.
Adding to the 'quiet' narrative, XRPL validator Vet tweeted, "We keeping it quiet in the XRP community, for now," sparking chatter about what might be brewing beneath the surface. This comes amid a backdrop of strong fundamentals, including Ripple securing an EMI license in the UK and expanding its collaboration with BNY for tokenized deposits. On-chain data also shows robust activity, with over 538 million XRP active on the Xaman wallet in just the first 11 days of 2026.
However, the charts offer a bearish counterpoint. XRP printed a gravestone doji on its weekly chart, a pattern that historically precedes significant corrections. This has some analysts warning of a potential drop to $1.80 if the $2.00 support level fails to hold. Broader market sentiment, with Bitcoin dominance rising and the Fear & Greed Index sitting at 27 (Fear), suggests a defensive posture where capital prefers majors over speculative altcoin moves.
The immediate future for XRP hinges on a tight range. A break and hold above $2.08 could give short-term bulls some traction, while a decisive loss of the $2.04 support opens the path toward $2.00 and potentially lower. For now, the market is in a classic dilemma: structurally bearish but intraday oversold, leaving traders watching the charts for the next impulsive move.
