XRP has experienced significant price fluctuations, reflecting the broader trends in the cryptocurrency market. At the start of 2025, Bitcoin reached an impressive $100,000 mark, leading to XRP’s rise to $2.50. However, resistance at these levels triggered a correction, and by January 7, XRP had retraced by approximately 6%, settling at around $2.30. While the market has seen this brief period of consolidation, many analysts remain bullish on XRP’s future, although the scale of the next price surge remains debated.

XRP Enters the Third Wave: What’s Next?

Market analyst Maelius, a respected voice in the crypto space, has offered insight into XRP’s price movements, suggesting an effective selling strategy for current holders. He believes that XRP tends to move in cyclical phases, alternating between accumulation and rapid price swings. This pattern often leads to two swift price waves, with a correction phase separating the two. According to Maelius, these corrections typically attract retail investors, but many end up buying at higher levels during the second wave, inadvertently increasing their exposure to risk.

According to his analysis, XRP is currently in the third wave (W3) of this cycle, following the strong rally that took place in late 2024. In past cycles, the third wave has often marked a sharp price surge, followed by a shakeout phase that eliminates weaker traders. This phase typically prepares the market for a major move, often accompanied by a rise in media attention and increased retail interest.

Maelius speculates that XRP could reach a price of $10 during this third wave, a view supported by historical patterns of rapid price action. He further believes that XRP could even peak as high as $13, depending on broader market dynamics and its dominance in the crypto space.

Assessing XRP’s Market Dominance and Price Potential

Maelius also connects XRP’s potential price targets with its market dominance (XRP.D), a key factor in understanding how the token could behave in the coming months. As of now, XRP’s dominance sits at 3.9%, but it is nearing a resistance level that has historically restricted its price growth during the third wave.

If the overall cryptocurrency market cap expands from its current $3.5 trillion to $6.2 trillion (based on the Fibonacci extension at the 2.618 level), Maelius predicts XRP’s price could reach $4.30, assuming its dominance remains stable. However, if XRP’s dominance rises to around 12%—a lower end of the resistance range—the price could surge to $13. This would represent a substantial gain for XRP holders, but Maelius remains cautious about XRP surpassing this level. He considers the possibility of XRP’s price hitting $26 to be highly unlikely, citing historical patterns that suggest a ceiling on its market dominance.

Effective Exit Strategy for XRP Holders

Given the current market conditions, Maelius emphasizes the importance of having a strategic exit plan for XRP investors. He advises that a substantial portion of holdings should be sold once the price approaches the $10-$13 range during the third wave. While the possibility of XRP reaching $26 exists, Maelius warns that the risk-to-reward ratio decreases significantly as the price surges to these levels, making it less favorable for traders.

Maelius also highlights that once XRP’s market dominance hits its historical resistance levels, the token may start to underperform compared to the broader market. At the time of writing, XRP is trading at around $2.30, with a potential rally of 334% to 465% needed to hit the $10-$13 target range.

Conclusion

In conclusion, XRP holders should carefully monitor market movements and assess their positions as the third wave unfolds. Maelius’ analysis provides valuable insight into the token’s potential price trajectory, suggesting that the $10-$13 price range may be an optimal exit point for those looking to take profits. However, with the possibility of continued growth, investors should remain vigilant and ready to adapt to changes in the market. The coming months could prove crucial for XRP, making this an important time for traders to reassess their strategies.