XRP Price Surges 32% But Bollinger Flags Bearish Pattern

TLDR

• XRP jumped 32% since Jan. 1, reaching a daily high of $2.41
• Bollinger says XRP’s technical pattern appears weaker than Bitcoin’s
• Peter Brandt noted XRP’s chart “without comment,” fueling debate
• XRP’s trading volume surged 133.4% to $7.79B, showing market interest

XRP’s price has surged since the beginning of 2026, attracting attention from analysts and traders. Despite this rise, legendary trader John Bollinger has issued a warning, suggesting the rally lacks strength compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum. His cautious outlook, combined with a cryptic post by veteran trader Peter Brandt, has sparked debate within the crypto community.

Legendary Trader Issues Bearish Warning on XRP Rally

John Bollinger, known for creating the Bollinger Bands indicator, has commented on XRP’s recent rally with caution. Despite XRP’s price climbing by over 32% since the start of 2026, Bollinger stated that the pattern behind the rise is not strong compared to other major cryptocurrencies.

He explained that XRP’s recent upward movement pushed the price above the upper Bollinger Band. However, he said the price pattern is “weaker” and lacks a solid base. According to him, the volatility compression, or “squeeze,” which often precedes stronger rallies, is not as clear in XRP’s chart.

Bollinger added that while Ripple experienced a “strong lift,” its technical setup remains less promising than Bitcoin or Ethereum. He said Bitcoin still holds the lead, followed by Ethereum, with XRP trailing behind due to its noisier price activity and weaker structure.

Peter Brandt’s Post Sparks Community Debate

Veteran market analyst Peter Brandt also weighed in on XRP, but in a more cryptic manner. In a post on social media platform X, Brandt shared a chart of XRP with only the words “Without comment.”

The timing of his post coincided with a 9.35% daily gain in XRP, which briefly traded at $2.41. While Brandt did not elaborate, the chart he shared suggested XRP has not yet broken a key resistance level.

Brandt believes that a true breakout for XRP would only be confirmed at $3.50. He implied that unless this level is crossed, XRP could remain in a vulnerable zone. His comments stirred reactions from the community, with one analyst urging him to study XRP’s long-term trend.

Price Action and Market Metrics Show Momentum

XRP began 2026 trading at around $1.77 and has since gained strong upward momentum. On Jan. 6, it recorded a high of $2.41 after bouncing off a low of $2.11.

Market data shows that open interest in XRP surged by 21% while trading volume climbed by 133.4% to $7.79 billion. These numbers suggest active participation and renewed interest from traders.

Despite concerns from analysts, the coin has maintained support above the $2 mark. Some traders remain optimistic, pointing to a recent golden cross as a bullish signal for further gains.

Analyst Concerns About Sustainability of the Rally

While recent gains may encourage investors, both Bollinger and Brandt appear cautious. Bollinger’s analysis emphasized that the quality of the base for XRP’s rise is lacking. He pointed out that Ethereum is also following Bitcoin’s pattern, but in a delayed manner, suggesting Bitcoin remains the leader.

Brandt’s $3.50 breakout target is still far from current levels. He warned that many holders may begin selling once XRP returns to previous buying prices, particularly those who bought at $3 or above.

This could lead to selling pressure and reduce any momentum unless XRP breaks past critical resistance.

The post XRP Price Surges 32% But Bollinger Flags Bearish Pattern appeared first on CoinCentral.