XRP Price Prediction: $1.25 Risk Grows Despite Strong ETF Demand

Key Insights:

  • XRP price prediction for 2026 shows a possible drop to $1.25 if $1.82 support breaks.
  • Whale wallets and ETF demand stay firm, helping the case for a rebound if $2.176 is crossed.
  • Low exchange supply and large wallet accumulation may limit downside, but the chart must confirm strength first.

XRP price prediction for 2026 starts near $1.84 and sits close to an important support around $1.82. Traders are watching this level because a larger drop may open if it breaks.

At the same time, whale wallets and ETF interest are not slowing down. This leaves XRP in a strange place where buyers and sellers both have strong arguments.

XRP Price Prediction Leans Bearish if $1.82 Breaks

The XRP price chart has been stuck under a downward trend line since August. A trend line is a line that shows sellers keep rejecting the price. Each rebound attempt failed at the same place. That is why the chart has not moved up in months.

XRP Price Action | Source: TradingView
XRP Price Action | Source: TradingView

$1.82 is the main support.

If the price falls below the support, the next support stands near $1.25. That would mean a 32% correction.

For the XRP price to show strength again, it needs to break above $2.17. That level blocked every attempt to go higher in October, November, and December.

If XRP closes above it, the price prediction odds can improve and open the door to targets like $2.74 and $3.15.

Whale Buying Grows, Even While Price Is Weak; Bullish?

Some on-chain signals show buying, even while the price is slow. Wallets with 10 million to 100 million XRP increased their holdings from 8.33 billion to 10.98 billion since November. These are medium-sized whales. They usually buy near support to prepare for a possible rebound.

XRP Whales | Source: Santiment
XRP Whales | Source: Santiment

The largest wallets, holding more than 1 billion XRP, increased holdings from 25.47 billion to 27.47 billion on December 31. That is a fast increase and suggests big buyers are active around the current price.

Exchange supply also dropped. Only 1.6 billion XRP sits on exchanges now, compared to 3.76 billion in October. When exchange balances fall, it usually means fewer coins are ready to sell. This can help during high selling pressure, but it does not guarantee a bounce.

XRP Balances | Source: X
XRP Balances | Source: X

So the picture is mixed. Whales are buying, but the price is not reacting yet. Also, whale buying could be a reason why exchange balances are falling. It doesn’t automatically confirm a retail buying spree.

ETF Support Helps, but the Chart Needs Confirmation

XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have held better than many other crypto ETFs. They did not show outflows in 2025. This helps price stability because ETF buying happens slowly and regularly.

XRP ETFs | Source: SoSo Value
XRP ETFs | Source: SoSo Value

Still, ETF demand cannot replace technical signals. The chart must confirm strength. The simple map looks like this. XRP needs to hold $1.82 to avoid deeper loss. For a move up, $2.17 must fall.  And only then can the XRP price aim for $2.74 and $3.15.

Right now, the XRP price prediction looks balanced between support and danger. 2026 could start with a correction first, or a rebound if whales and ETFs take control. The next move at $1.82 should decide.

Source: https://www.thecoinrepublic.com/2026/01/02/xrp-price-prediction-1-25-risk-grows-despite-strong-etf-demand/