Artificial intelligence predicts XRP price for Q1 2026

Although the XRP market has seen a resurgence of bearish sentiment, with trading prices falling below the $2 spot level, here are insights from an Artificial Intelligence (AI) model predicting that the token may recover in the first quarter of 2026.

To assess XRP's trading performance in the first three months of the new year, Finbold turned to OpenAI's ChatGPT, which outlined several scenarios.

According to the model, XRP's performance during this period may be influenced by institutional activities such as Exchange-Traded Funds (ETF), macroeconomic trends, and overall cryptocurrency market sentiment.

Based on ChatGPT's base scenario forecast (considered the most likely outcome), XRP is expected to trade between $3 and $4.50 in the first quarter of 2026. This prediction is based on the following assumptions: prices continue to hold above key support levels and market confidence gradually improves.

The model shows that XRP's consolidation at the end of 2025 could lay the foundation for a breakout above $3 at the start of the new year, and if overall market sentiment remains optimistic, the price could even test the $4 region.

Bullish Scenario for XRP

In an optimistic scenario, ChatGPT predicts that XRP's trading price in the first quarter will be between $4.50 and $6. This forecast is closely related to increased institutional inflows, broader adoption of the Ripple ecosystem, and greater regulatory clarity. If these factors coincide with an overall upward trend in the cryptocurrency market, the model shows that XRP could gain enough upward momentum to challenge multi-year highs.

On the other hand, ChatGPT points out a bearish or consolidating scenario, where XRP's trading price fluctuates between $2.20 and $3. In this case, ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty, reduced risk appetite, or slower capital inflows could lead to a decline in XRP prices. Cryptocurrency market conditions could limit the upside potential. The model also notes that if investors wait for clearer signals before re-entering the market, XRP may remain range-bound in the first quarter.

Meanwhile, ChatGPT highlights several variables that could influence XRP's trajectory in the first quarter of 2026, including the pace of institutional participation through ETFs, changes in global liquidity conditions, and developments in cryptocurrency regulation.

Technical market structure and the bitcoin (Bitcoin)-dominated market direction are also considered key factors that could amplify or suppress XRP price movements.

XRP Price Analysis

As of press time, XRP was trading at $1.94, down about 2.5% in the past 24 hours, and over the week, the asset has dropped more than 7%.

XRP seven-day price chart. Source: Finbold

It is worth noting that XRP's current trading price is well below its 50-day moving average. The Simple Moving Average is currently $2.24, and the 200-day moving average is $2.58. The price being below these key moving averages confirms a clear downtrend, with both short-term and long-term momentum pointing downward.

Meanwhile, the 14-day RSI is currently at 35.32, in the neutral zone but closer to oversold than overbought. While not yet signaling an extreme, this reading reflects ongoing selling pressure and limited buying interest.

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