XRP reaches a critical point to end long-term sideways movement..."Upward explosion or harsh decline"

▲ XRP

A sharp warning has emerged that a final surprise decline narrative has arrived for XRP, cruelly shaking out unconfident retail investors before the cryptocurrency enters a full-blown explosive rally.

Virtual asset specialized media NewsBTC reported on May 22 (local time) that virtual asset analyst Matt Hogan analyzed that XRP must break above the $1.51 mark to achieve a true breakthrough. Following this, renowned chart analyst MichaelXBT predicted that a historical breakthrough could come this week after the market first eliminates the weakest holders.

According to MichaelXBT, XRP has been forming a descending wedge pattern on the weekly chart for several months. This structure typically leads to an explosive upward rally when the price breaks above the upper resistance line, which is a classic bullish signal. XRP has been stuck in this downward framework, showing sluggish movement since July 2025, when it surged to a high of $3.66. Subsequently, it was caught in the indiscriminate sell-off storm that swept across the entire virtual asset market, plummeting by about 60% from its peak to $1.37. In particular, the upper resistance line of the wedge pattern has repeatedly hindered XRP. After an attempt to break $3 at the end of 2025 failed miserably, a surprise surge in January 2026 was also completely cut off at the $2.41 level. However, as the current price is compressed into the narrowest apex section of the converging structure, MichaelXBT asserted that a shakeout, the market's final large-scale liquidation, is imminent.

A descending wedge pattern forms when the price slides between two gradually narrowing downward sloping lines. As the pattern approaches completion, selling pressure gradually loses strength, and finally, the moment the price breaks above the upper resistance line, an unstoppable vertical upward rally is triggered. The upper resistance line currently holding XRP's fate is precisely positioned in the $1.50 to $1.51 range. This is the exact price level Hogan presented as the absolute last line for a confirmed breakthrough.

XRP's current market capitalization is $83.9 billion, and it has not yet cleanly closed above this resistance line. While this pattern does not guarantee an unconditional surge, the dominant view among experts is that the price, pushed to its limit at the apex, will soon be forced to make a massive directional decision, either up or down.

What needs to be noted is the cruel "washout" prelude that will unfold just before the explosive breakthrough. MichaelXBT warned that there is a very high probability that market forces will intentionally drive down XRP's price this week to mercilessly liquidate retail investors who lack conviction. This surprise plunge is analyzed as a thoroughly planned move, a means to completely seize retail investors' holdings from the bottom before the massive main rally begins. Already in March, several analysts raised concerns that a final hunt could come to completely break the mentality of typical XRP buyers. At the very end of the massive descending wedge barrier accumulated for nearly a year, XRP stands at a cruel crossroads, deciding whether to push retail investors into hell and only the powerful forces into heaven.

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