XRP News Today: XRP's $2.60 Showdown: Bulls vs. Bears Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

XRP, Ripple's native token, has stabilized near $2.58 as traders closely watch the $2.60 resistance level, a key threshold that could determine whether the asset resumes its upward trajectory or faces renewed bearish pressure. The cryptocurrency broke above a multi-year descending trendline earlier this month, sparking optimism among analysts who draw parallels to its 2017 rally, according to a CoinEdition report. However, regulatory uncertainties and mixed market sentiment have created a tug-of-war between bullish and bearish forces.

The recent price action has been driven by a decisive breakout above a long-term trendline, a move that crypto analyst CryptoKaleo likened to the setup preceding XRP's 2017 surge toward $3.50. This breakout coincided with aggressive whale accumulation, as large wallets added 30 million XRP in a 24-hour period, reinforcing support between $2.25 and $2.40, the CoinEdition report noted. On shorter timeframes, the token has tested key levels, with immediate resistance at $2.60 and support near $2.42, per a Cryptonomist analysis. A sustained close above $2.60 could trigger a rally toward $2.85–$3.00, while a dip below $2.40 risks retesting $2.25.

Despite the technical optimism, regulatory headwinds persist. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has delayed decisions on multiple XRP ETF applications, pushing approvals to late November or December 2025, CoinEdition reports. These delays have weighed on market sentiment, as ETFs are seen as a catalyst for institutional adoption. Meanwhile, Ripple-backed Evernorth's $1 billion XRP treasury initiative has injected confidence, with analysts noting that corporate accumulation could tighten supply and bolster prices, the report added.

Contrasting the bullish narrative, heavy whale selling in mid-October pushed XRP below $2.5, triggering $21 million in long liquidations, Coinotag reported. On-chain data revealed 440 million XRP offloaded in a week, exacerbated by macroeconomic pressures and risk-off sentiment. Analysts like Ali Martinez have highlighted the duality of whale activity: while accumulation below $2.40 signals buyer interest, large-scale selling remains a near-term risk.

Market sentiment remains cautiously split. Derivatives data show rising open interest and futures volume, suggesting traders are building positions ahead of a potential move. However, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and MACD indicators present conflicting signals: the RSI hovers near neutral territory, while the MACD's fragile momentum underscores the need for a clear breakout, as explained in a Gate guide. Some analysts predict XRP could test $3.00 if the $2.60 level holds, while others caution that a drop to $2.00 is possible without a major catalyst, according to an FXEmpire forecast.

XRP's performance has also drawn comparisons to Binance Coin (BNB), with some analysts suggesting it could reclaim a top-four market cap position if it breaks above $2.60–$2.70, according to a U.Today analysis. BNB's stagnant volatility contrasts with XRP's consolidation pattern, fueling speculation that the latter's technical setup could drive a resurgence. Broader crypto market dynamics, including Bitcoin's performance and global interest rate expectations, will likely influence XRP's next move.

As XRP hovers near $2.58, the $2.60 resistance zone remains a focal point for traders. While technical indicators and whale activity suggest potential for a bullish breakout, regulatory delays and macroeconomic factors introduce uncertainty. Investors are advised to monitor both short-term price action and broader market developments, as the path to $3.00 or a pullback to $2.00 remains an open question.