XRP Consolidates Below $2.60; Key Resistance at $2.50–$2.60 Tested

The XRP market has entered a Consolidation and short-term recovery phase after a pullback from recent highs. Price action shows that XRP is attempting to recover above the $2.420 zone but continues to trade below $2.50 and the 100-hour Simple Moving Average (SMA). A key bearish trend line is forming with resistance near $2.50 on the hourly chart, and the immediate hurdle for bulls is the $2.60 region.

On the bullish path, a decisive break above $2.50 would first confront the trend line and the 100-hour SMA. If buyers push price beyond $2.60, the next technical barrier is the 76.4% Fibonacci retracement of the decline from the $3.05 swing high to the $1.40 swing low at approximately $2.660. Clearing $2.660 could open a path to test resistance at $2.750 and then $2.780, with a further target near $2.820 for more optimistic scenarios.

On the downside, failure to reclaim the $2.50 zone may trigger renewed selling pressure. Immediate support sits near $2.40, followed by stronger support at $2.30. A confirmed close below $2.30 could extend losses toward $2.2420 and then to the major support around $2.220, with a deeper test potentially reaching $2.120. Traders should watch price behavior around these levels to assess whether the consolidation resolves into a bullish reversal or a continuation lower.

Technical indicators on the hourly timeframe currently offer a cautious picture. The MACD has lost momentum in the bullish zone, suggesting that upward moves may struggle without renewed buyer volume. The RSI sits below 50, indicating that bullish momentum is not firmly established and that bears still retain control of short-term momentum. The 100-hour SMA, the bearish trend line, and the Fibonacci retracement levels combine to create a series of stacked resistances that bulls must overcome to reignite a sustained rally.

Market participants should also note that data referenced here comes from Company Kraken, and comparisons to major cap peers like Bitcoin and Ethereum are informing broader market context as these assets attempt recoveries in tandem with XRP. Risk management is essential: traders may consider scaling positions, setting tight stop losses below identified supports, and waiting for clear hourly closes above the key resistance bands before adding fresh long exposure.

In summary, the near-term XRP outlook is a classic consolidation-versus-breakout scenario: a clear move above $2.60–$2.66 would favor a bullish continuation toward the $2.75–$2.82 area, while a failure at $2.50 that leads to a break below $2.30 would shift the technical bias back to the downside. Monitor the MACD and RSI for momentum confirmation, and watch the 100-hour SMA and the hourly trend line as immediate decision points for next directional moves.