XRP Faces Skepticism on $2 Target Despite Analyst Optimism

What happened: XRP last traded above $2 in January 2026, but currently hovers around $1.35 after an 8.2% decline from its August peak. A Watcher.guru analysis casts doubt on the token’s ability to reclaim $2 by year-end, citing hawkish Federal Reserve policy, liquidity concerns, and a lack of near-term catalysts. Prediction markets put a 70% probability on XRP closing 2026 below $1, though institutional analysts are more bullish, with targets ranging from $2.69 to $10 and outliers as high as $20.

Why it matters: The divergence between retail skepticism and institutional optimism reflects deep uncertainty about XRP’s future. While Ripple’s recent unlocking of 1 billion XRP (~$1.38B) adds supply-side pressure, the lack of regulatory clarity and macro headwinds weigh on sentiment. The wide dispersion in analyst targets underscores the asset’s volatility and the challenge of forecasting in a shifting policy environment.

Source: Watcher.Guru