Key Takeaways
- XRP traders have been warned of a potential bear trap forming.
- Bullish forecasts continue to gain traction.
- Analysts remain divided.
XRP’s price is facing renewed uncertainty after entering June below a key technical level, prompting warnings that it is heading towards the “biggest bear traps of the cycle.”
However, a growing number of bullish forecasts continue to circulate across the crypto sector, with several commentators and AI models suggesting the token could still climb toward $4 and higher.
Major XRP Bear Trap Warning
Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto told followers on X this week that XRP’s June monthly open below its 50-period exponential moving average (EMA) has created a critical technical setup.
According to the analyst, previous periods where XRP opened below the 50 EMA often coincided with extremely bearish sentiment, only for the asset to later establish important bottoms before reversing higher.
Egrag noted that XRP is also hovering around a long-term macro trendline that has historically acted as a major support zone.
The analyst noted that June has often been a difficult month for XRP in previous market cycles, citing declines in June 2014, June 2018, and June 2022.
The key area to watch, Egrag said, remains between $0.90 and $1.30.
If XRP can reclaim both the 50 EMA and the macro trendline, the current bearish positioning could evolve into what he described as “one of the biggest bear traps of the cycle.”
This is a scenario in which traders betting on further declines are forced to cover their positions as the market reverses higher.
Bullish $4 XRP Price Forecasts Continue To Spread
Despite the cautious technical backdrop, some remain optimistic about XRP’s potential price growth.
Several recent reports have highlighted AI-generated forecasts suggesting XRP could reach approximately $4 by the middle of 2026.
In one example, Microsoft Copilot outlined a bullish case centered on institutional capital and on regulatory reform.
Other AI models, including ChatGPT and Grok, have also produced forecasts that place XRP in a similar price range under favorable market conditions, with some models even forecasting higher prices.
In March, Alex Carchidi, a crypto analyst contributor at The Motley Fool, also argued that XRP could reach $3 again in 2026.
The analyst pointed to network developments and Ripple’s continued push into institutional financial services as potential catalysts.
Standard Chartered and Bitwise Remain Long-Term Bullish
Even among institutional analysts, sentiment on XRP remains mixed.
Standard Chartered recently reduced several of its crypto forecasts amid expectations of further downside.
The bank lowered its year-end 2026 XRP target to $2.80 from $8.00 previously.
Bitcoin’s 2026 target was also cut to $100,000 from $150,000.
Geoffrey Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s global head of digital assets research, said potential selling pressure from exchange-traded products could weigh on crypto markets.
However, despite the reduction, Standard Chartered remains one of the more optimistic institutional voices on XRP over the longer term.
The bank’s updated projections still see XRP reaching $7 by 2027, $12.60 by 2028, $19.60 by 2029, and as high as $28 by 2030.
Meanwhile, in April, Bitwise said the token would climb to $6.53 by the end of 2026, before rising to $9.60 in 2027.
The firm said it could then go further and reach $13.84 in 2028 and $20.14 in 2029, ultimately peaking at $29.32 by 2030.
Analysts Remain Divided On XRP Price
Not all market watchers share the bullish outlook.
Popular X account CryptoWZRD described XRP as trapped in a tight trading range, noting that a break above the $1.40 resistance level could trigger a bullish setup.
It added that a move below $1.32 would likely signal renewed downside momentum.
In March, analyst Johnny Rice noted that increased adoption of Ripple’s technology does not necessarily drive demand for XRP itself.
Rice warned that XRP holders may not see proportional benefits by 2030, even if Ripple continues to grow.
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
