Markets rarely announce their biggest moves in advance. They compress, frustrate participants, and diverge from broader trends before resolving with force. Uncertainty is normal in crypto. XRP is in one of those tricky phases where the price is stuck, the market’s noisy, and traders are waiting for a breakout.
That tension intensified after STEPH IS CRYPTO shared a technical comparison that drew immediate attention across XRP circles. The strategist highlighted structural similarities between XRP’s current multi-day setup and the positioning of major U.S. equity indices before their post-2022 upside expansions. While traditional markets already completed those moves, XRP has not yet followed, creating a divergence that now anchors the debate.
The Technical Parallel Driving the Narrative
Steph based his thesis on XRP’s three-day chart, which shows prolonged consolidation near historically significant levels. He compared this structure to the basing phases seen in the NASDAQ, S&P 500, and Dow Jones before those indices transitioned into sustained bullish expansions. In each case, price compressed for extended periods while participation remained muted, only to accelerate sharply once liquidity conditions improved.
🚨 LOOK AT $XRP
This is the same stage where the NASDAQ, S&P 500, and DOW JONES were right before their major upside expansion.
Those markets already moved.
XRP hasn’t — yet. pic.twitter.com/kNLpH9HpZ8
— STEPH IS CRYPTO (@Steph_iscrypto) January 18, 2026
XRP currently trades near the $2 region as of mid-January 2026. Despite repeated attempts, the asset has failed to deliver a decisive expansion. That delay, according to Steph, mirrors the same “lag phase” equities displayed before repricing higher, leaving XRP with what appears to be unresolved upside potential.
Macro Shock and the January Sell-Off
The bullish comparison came up before XRP took a hit, dropping to around $1.84 on January 19, 2026. Currently, XRP is trading at $1.98, with a market cap of $124.82 billion.
XRP’s price dropped due to renewed fears of tariffs and uncertainty around the Federal Reserve’s next move, putting pressure on risk assets and triggering around $40 million in liquidations across XRP derivatives markets. The decline injected short-term bearish momentum but did not dismantle the broader structural framework.
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Market analysts continue to treat the drop as a volatility event rather than a trend failure. Many now focus on the $2.18 level as a key resistance zone. A sustained reclaim of that area would signal recovery and reassert bullish control.
Why XRP’s Lag Still Matters
XRP’s delayed response stands out, especially after the formal conclusion of the Ripple–SEC case in 2025 removed a major regulatory overhang. While equities and other risk assets already repriced higher, XRP has yet to fully reflect that shift. This lag suggests the price is just stuck, not fundamentally flawed.
What the Signal Actually Implies
Steph’s comparison does not promise an immediate rally. XRP’s price is compressed and could be due for a breakout. If history offers guidance, such phases often end with expansion rather than stagnation, making the next move critical for defining XRP’s medium-term trajectory.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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