XRP, $18 is Just an Intermediate Stage...Ultra-Bullish Theory Resurfaces Despite Stagnation in the $1.40s

▲ XRP/AI-generated image

As XRP remains in a narrow price range for an extended period, some market participants interpret the current trend as a 'temporary dormancy' before a long-term surge.

NewsBTC reported on May 12 (local time) that Luke, known as an XRP supporter, claimed via X (formerly Twitter) that XRP's current price trend does not signify the end of its long-term outlook. He stated that even a rise in XRP to the $18 to $25 range might not be its final destination but merely an intermediate stage.

For a significant period in 2026, XRP was confined to the $1.30 to $1.45 range, remaining more than 60% below its January high. Compared to the beginning of the year, it moved at a price approximately 25% lower, leading to an assessment that the discrepancy between Ripple's institutional business expansion and XRP's price trend has widened.

Luke believes that if regulated financial products drive the next phase of cryptocurrency adoption, XRP's current price is a result of the market not fully reflecting the infrastructure Ripple has been building. He argued that XRP could first move to the $18 to $25 range as an intermediate stage, and then, if institutional infrastructure becomes fully operational, it could expand to even higher price levels.

However, NewsBTC pointed out that Luke's mention of a $10,000 XRP forecast is a speculative claim that would only be possible if global liquidity and market valuations were drastically reshaped. Luke presented this not as a mere fantasy but as a possible scenario if massive global liquidity were connected to the XRP network.

Since 2026, Ripple's connectivity with major financial institutions such as Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan, and Mastercard's payment network has been highlighted. However, despite this expansion of institutional cooperation, XRP's price has not shown a clear response. While various ultra-bullish targets ranging from $10 to $10,000 are being proposed within the XRP community, realistic traders continue to criticize these as excessive expectations.

The core issue for XRP is whether the short-term price stagnation is a correction phase before a long-term rise, or a sign revealing a discrepancy between excessive expectations and actual demand. The market has entered a phase of confirming whether Ripple's institutional infrastructure expansion will actually translate into XRP demand and price movements.

*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only and we are not responsible for investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*