XRP is in a compression phase: Is the takeoff moment approaching?

By early 2026, XRP continues to generate expectations within the trading and analyst community. Currently, the token is trading at $1.65, reflecting a 0.54% decrease over the past 24 hours, with a trading volume of $178.97M. However, behind these seemingly modest numbers lies a technical scenario that several experts consider crucial for the near future of this cryptocurrency.

The 173-day pattern XRP is repeating

The central thesis circulating among analysts like “Bird” and other market observers is based on a cycle we’ve seen before. Just over a year ago, during the 2025 bull cycle, XRP experienced a significant expansion after consolidating in a technical pattern known as a “descending wedge.” That movement took exactly 173 days from the cyclical high to the breakout of resistance.

What’s remarkable is that from the peak recorded in mid-2025 to the present, almost the same 173 days have passed. If this time metric proves to be a recurring cycle, we would be approaching a critical inflection point. The price maintains a clear consolidation structure, without yielding to the selling pressure that characterized the past few months.

Late compression: The buildup of forces

XRP is forming an increasingly narrow setup on the daily chart. With the price moving within a progressively smaller range, the analogy of a compressed spring makes sense: the less space there is to move, the greater the energy released when the breakout finally occurs.

This technical phenomenon suggests that the market is going through a silent accumulation phase. Despite the moderate trading volume in historical terms, the price structure remains intact, which is not typical in purely bearish or apathetic movements.

Price targets on the horizon

If the technical architecture develops as the analysis suggests, the first target is between $4.00 and $4.50, representing a gain of over 113% from current levels. This level would coincide with previous all-time highs and act as the first significant resistance point.

Some analysts like “Steph is Crypto” go further in their projections, drawing parallels with the legendary 2017 cycle. In that maximum expansion scenario, prices could reach levels well above $22, although this projection requires technical confirmation and an acceleration in volume.

Volume: Weakness or market patience?

The current trading volume, approximately $178.97M in 24 hours, is lower than the peaks of $1.8 billion observed in previous cycles. However, this relative modesty does not invalidate the underlying technical pattern. Experts interpret it as patient accumulation before a decisive move, rather than a sign of fundamental weakness.

The moment of decision

XRP is at a technical crossroads where historical numbers converge significantly. The 173-day cycle, the compression structure, and the identified resistance levels create a scenario where the next phase promises to be decisive. Whether this is the last opportunity to enter before a sustained bullish move or just a cycle of volatility, only time will confirm the forecasts currently on the table.