XRP, the native token of the Ripple network, is once again gaining attention in the crypto market. Despite recent pullbacks, many analysts believe XRP is on track for a major price move that could take it well beyond its recent highs. The current trend is being compared to the 2017 breakout, when XRP surged from mere cents to over $3. Now, similar chart patterns and positive sentiment are driving predictions of a rise to $8 or even $19 in this cycle.

These predictions come from well-followed analysts who base their views on technical structures, historical price behavior, and Ripple’s recent legal clarity with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Although XRP has recently slipped to around $2.2, the wider belief among long-term investors is that the market is preparing for the next major wave up.

Let’s take a closer look at why some experts think XRP is still early in its bull cycle and what that could mean for the months ahead.

XRP’s Journey So Far

XRP’s price history is filled with dramatic surges and long periods of consolidation. Back in January 2018, XRP hit a record high near $3.8. What followed was a multi-year decline, weighed down by legal uncertainty, market cycles, and broader bearish sentiment in crypto.

But things began to shift in July 2023, when a U.S. court ruled that XRP is not a security in secondary market transactions. That legal milestone allowed many exchanges to relist XRP, and prices jumped nearly 90% following the ruling.

However, that move wasn’t sustained. After reaching a local high of $3.4 in November 2024, XRP began trading sideways. This recent pullback has led some to believe that the top is in. But technical analysts like Crypto Beast and EGRAG argue the opposite.

A Technical Pattern Repeating

Crypto Beast, a popular market commentator, recently posted a long-term XRP chart showing what he sees as a symmetrical triangle — a chart pattern that often precedes significant moves. According to him, XRP is following a nearly identical path to the one it took in 2017.

Back then, XRP formed a large symmetrical triangle between late 2013 and early 2017. When it finally broke above that formation, the price shot up in a matter of months, eventually reaching $3.8 by January 2018.

Crypto Beast points out that XRP formed a similar triangle starting from the 2018 top. After years of consolidation, that triangle broke again in late 2024, when XRP rose above $3 for the first time in years. However, the move was brief, and XRP has since entered a range-bound phase.

According to this theory, XRP is now in the same phase as mid-2017 — the calm before the real breakout.

Targets Between $8 and $19

Based on the patterns and historical comparisons, Crypto Beast believes XRP could reach a minimum of $8 in the near future. His full-cycle target is as high as $19. Meanwhile, another analyst, EGRAG, considers $19 to be the base case, with a potential upside to $45 if momentum builds further.

These targets are based on the Elliott Wave principle — a method of market analysis that identifies recurring wave patterns. Analysts using this method say that XRP is currently in wave four of a five-wave structure. If that’s accurate, the next upward move (wave five) could be the strongest yet.

For XRP to reach $8, it would need to rise more than 260% from current levels. A move to $19 would represent a rally of over 750%. While those gains may seem large, crypto markets are known for extreme volatility, and such moves are not unheard of during bull cycles.

Market Sentiment Still Shaky

Despite these bold predictions, short-term market sentiment remains cautious. XRP, like most crypto assets, has struggled with recent macroeconomic uncertainty. Tensions in global politics, rising interest rates, and regulatory delays in crypto-related ETFs have all contributed to a pause in investor confidence.

Even so, many long-term holders appear unfazed. Analysts note that XRP’s legal clarity gives it an advantage over many other altcoins, which are still under scrutiny by regulators. Some investors see XRP as one of the few tokens with a clear legal framework, which could make it more attractive to institutions going forward.

This legal clarity also sets XRP apart in the eyes of analysts like Crypto Beast. He argues that while the July 2023 ruling did drive prices up temporarily, the market has not yet fully priced in the long-term benefits of the decision.

XRP’s Consolidation Could Be a Set-Up

The current phase of sideways trading may frustrate some short-term traders, but analysts suggest it may be setting the stage for a strong rebound. Historically, after long consolidation periods, XRP has tended to move with sharp momentum.

Back in 2017, XRP stalled for months after its initial breakout, only to surge nearly 10x in the final weeks of the year. If history repeats, this period of stagnation could end with an aggressive move to the upside — especially if broader market conditions improve.

Crypto Beast’s chart suggests that XRP could begin rising again after five to six months of consolidation. So far, XRP has been in this phase for about five months, which matches the timing seen in previous cycles.

Community Remains Optimistic

Many in the XRP community continue to hold on for what they believe is an inevitable rally. Some believe that Ripple’s partnerships with banks and financial institutions will play a bigger role once regulatory clarity spreads to more jurisdictions. Others focus on the charts, pointing to patterns that have repeated multiple times over the past decade.

Notably, influencers like Xena argue that even $8 is just a stepping stone for XRP. They believe real gains will come once XRP is integrated into more payment corridors and used more widely in real-world finance.

Of course, not everyone is convinced. XRP still faces challenges, including competition from newer blockchain networks and questions about the utility of its token in future RippleNet developments. But for now, the bullish case appears to be gaining more traction as historical patterns line up with current market structure.

Things to Watch Ahead

For those tracking XRP, a few key levels and dates could act as signals for what’s next:

• A daily close above $3.4 would indicate that momentum is returning

• Sustained buying volume around the $2.5–$2.8 zone could support a new leg up

• A broader Bitcoin rally often lifts XRP, so watching BTC remains critical

• Positive updates around Ripple’s global expansion could boost sentiment

Long-term holders may want to watch how XRP behaves in the next two months. If the price breaks key resistance levels, it could trigger renewed interest from both retail and institutional investors.

Final Thoughts

XRP’s story is far from over. The recent legal win gave it new life, and the current consolidation phase could simply be part of a larger breakout structure. With technical indicators pointing to a familiar pattern and analysts suggesting targets as high as $19, the next phase of XRP’s journey could be significant.

Of course, no prediction is certain. Cryptocurrency markets are known for being unpredictable, and XRP has had its share of ups and downs. Still, for those who believe in the long-term vision — and are willing to be patient — the case for XRP’s next major move appears to be building.

As always, investors should do their own research and consider both the risks and rewards before making decisions. But for now, XRP is once again a coin to watch.