Ripple Price Prediction: XRP Attempts to Reclaim Key Support, May Hit $5 Before ETF Decision

Ripple (XRP) is attempting to regain the critical support level of $2.90 against the backdrop of pressure in the overall crypto market. As of August 26, XRP is priced at $2.86. With the dual support of ETF resolutions and Whale accumulation, the market remains optimistic about its future trend.

ETF optimistic sentiment heats up: October may be a key turning point

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is expected to make a ruling on the spot cryptocurrency ETF in October.

Capital inflow reference: Bitcoin ETF has attracted $54 billion, and Ethereum ETF has attracted $12 billion.

XRP Expectations: Analysts predict that if approved, the XRP ETF could attract $8–10 billion in inflows within a few years of its listing.

Price potential: If the ETF is approved, the October trend is expected to reach a range of 3.05–3.47 USD, and may even challenge the July high of 3.66 USD.

Whale accumulation and leveraged capital support

On-chain data shows that the addresses holding 1 million to 10 million XRP have increased from 9.14% in March to 10.6%.

Meaning: Historically, an increase in whale holdings often precedes a rise in price.

Futures Market: XRP futures open interest rises to 8.3 billion USD, indicating active participation of leveraged funds, providing liquidity for subsequent volatility.

Ecological Catalyst: Major CEX Promotes XRP Credit Card

Large CEX launches XRP exclusive Mastercard:

Cashback: 4% XRP cashback for electric vehicle charging, fuel, and ridesharing; 3% additional rewards for dining and grocery purchases.

Settlement Basis: Ripple USD (RLUSD) serves as the settlement currency for the US spot market, closely integrating XRP with everyday payment scenarios.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse stated that this is part of the strategy to deeply integrate XRP with RLUSD in retail finance.

Technical Analysis: $3 is the Key Breakthrough

Form: Since the low point of $1.61 in April, XRP has formed a golden cross and a cup and handle pattern.

Resistance level: $3.00 (short-term key), once broken, it is expected to look towards $3.66. If the ETF approval triggers strong capital inflow, it may even challenge $5.00.

Support level: $2.72 (key defense line), if broken, may fall back to $2.50.

Indicator: RSI is in the mid-60s, still has upward potential; MACD is below the sell signal, caution is needed in the short term.

Extreme Predictions and Market Divergence

Optimists: Former Goldman Sachs analyst Dom Kwok predicts that XRP could reach $1,000 by 2030 (+31,000% increase).

Mainstream View: Most professional institutions predict a medium-term target in the range of 5–20 dollars.

Historical Volatility: After peaking at 3.40 USD in 2018, it fell below 0.30 USD; after approaching 2 USD in 2021, it again retreated to 0.50 USD.

Conclusion and Forecast

Currently, XRP is at a crossroads of bullish and bearish forces at $2.91:

Bullish scenario: Breakthrough $3.00 → Target $3.66 → ETF approval expected to hit $5.00.

Bearish scenario: Break below $2.72 → Re-test the $2.50 support level.

As the October ETF decision approaches, volatility is expected to intensify. For investors willing to take risks, there is an opportunity for a short-term speculative buy if it falls below $2.80. However, regulatory and technical factors will determine whether XRP quickly rebounds to $3.50–$4.00 or falls back into consolidation.