XRP continues to face selling pressure, trading lower even as Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse remains confident about the long-term future of crypto and the promise of clearer U.S. regulation. While short-term sentiment is fragile, both technical signals and on-chain data suggest the current weakness may not last forever.
At the time of writing, XRP is hovering near $1.91, down about 1.7% in the past 24 hours. Earlier in the week, the token briefly pushed toward $1.98, but buyers failed to hold momentum. This soft price action reflects broader market uncertainty as Bitcoin and other major assets pull back.
Despite the choppy conditions, Garlinghouse is looking far ahead. He believes 2026 could mark a turning point for crypto, fueled by stronger institutional adoption and long-awaited regulatory clarity in the United States. His support for the draft CLARITY Act, which aims to clearly define oversight for digital assets, sparked criticism from some corners of the industry. Still, Garlinghouse has defended the move, arguing that clear rules are far better than regulatory confusion.
For XRP holders, regulation remains a key factor shaping the token’s long-term outlook. Any progress on this front could influence both institutional interest and broader market confidence.
From a technical perspective, XRP’s chart offers cautious optimism. Price action is forming a descending wedge, a pattern that often signals weakening bearish momentum. As highs and lows continue to converge, traders are watching closely for signs of a breakout.
A bullish shift would first require XRP to reclaim the $2.00 level on a daily closing basis. A clean move above the $2.10–$2.20 zone would strengthen the short-term forecast and open the door to higher targets. Until then, downside risks remain in play.
Key support sits near $1.90, which is currently being tested. If that level gives way, the next areas to watch are $1.85 and $1.80, where buyers may attempt to step in and defend the trend.
Market sentiment paints a gloomy picture. Social discussions around XRP are now dominated by fear, a mood that has often appeared near the later stages of sell-offs rather than the beginning of long declines. Historically, extreme pessimism can set the stage for a rebound once selling pressure fades.
On-chain data adds an interesting twist. XRP is increasingly being transferred off exchanges and into private wallets, a behavior commonly associated with long-term accumulation. This divergence — fearful chatter alongside quiet accumulation — hints that some investors may view current prices as an opportunity.
For now, XRP remains caught between short-term anxiety and longer-term hope. While momentum has yet to flip bullish, the combination of negative sentiment, coins leaving exchanges, and a potentially constructive chart pattern suggests downside may be limited unless key supports fail.
A sustained return above $2.00 could be the spark needed to tilt the broader XRP outlook back in favor of the bulls.
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