Recent bullish predictions for the XRP price have emerged, hinting at a potential for new all-time highs (ATHs) by March 2026 for one of the market’s leading altcoins.

XRP Price Projected To Reach New ATH By Q1 2026

According to projections from ChatGPT, XRP could reach approximately $4.40 by the first quarter of 2026, a notable increase of 120% from current levels around $2.

In contrast to the AI forecast, some analysts believe that the XRP price has the potential for a stronger rally. They suggest that structural changes could allow XRP to exceed $5 and potentially approach $6 by 2026. 

Several factors support their optimistic view. For instance, key aspects of the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) case against Ripple were resolved earlier this year, which they believe could encourage banks and payment providers to adopt XRP for cross-border transactions, fostering greater confidence in its utility.

Additionally, Ripple’s ecosystem is expanding well beyond XRP. In December 2024, the company launched a dollar-pegged stablecoin known as RLUSD, which has already achieved a market cap exceeding $1 billion. 

While RLUSD itself may not directly boost XRP’s price, it has the potential to attract more participants to Ripple’s network, thereby creating secondary demand for XRP as a bridging asset. 

Analysts posit that a steady pipeline of RLUSD adoption could enhance Ripple’s revenue growth, consequently driving the XRP price higher.

$2.60 Key For Momentum Shift

Moreover, analysts point to the upcoming Bitcoin (BTC) Halving, expected in 2028, as a potential catalyst for a broad crypto market rally. The analysts assert that the XRP price has historically benefited from such cycles.

From a technical standpoint, chart analysts see XRP setting up for a potential breakout. Price action has formed a base around the low $2 range, which could lay the groundwork for further recovery. 

According to the analysts, if bullish momentum can push the token above significant resistance levels around $2.60, it could change momentum indicators to a positive stance. Moreover, a sustained rally into the mid-$3 territory might then pave the way for XRP to reach the $4 to $5 range.

When writing, the XRP price stands at $2.14, recording a 1.6% drop in the past 24 hours. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

The US Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced on Thursday that spot crypto asset contracts will soon be available for trading on futures exchanges that are registered with the agency, aligning with the positive regulatory changes championed by President Donald Trump’s administration. 

Crypto Sprint Progress

The CFTC disclosed that this recent decision follows recommendations from the President’s Working Group on Digital Asset Markets and insights gathered from the CFTC’s Crypto Sprint initiative, as well as collaborative efforts with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). 

Acting CFTC Chairman Caroline Pham highlighted the importance of providing Americans with access to safe and regulated markets, stating, “Recent events on offshore exchanges have shown us how essential it is for Americans to have more choice and access to safe, regulated US markets.”

In addition to the introduction of spot trading, the Crypto Sprint initiative includes measures to enable tokenized collateral—such as stablecoins—within derivatives markets. 

The CFTC also plans to implement regulatory updates to facilitate the use of blockchain technology in various operational areas, including collateral, margin, clearing, settlement, reporting, and recordkeeping.

Historic Shift In CFTC’s Digital Asset Trading Move

Market expert MartyParty on social media stated that this latest move is an historic decision that will empower retail and institutional traders to buy, sell, and leverage crypto assets directly on CFTC-registered exchanges. MartyParty further noted:

It’s the culmination of years of regulatory groundwork, including a joint SEC-CFTC statement clarifying that existing laws already permit such trading on registered venues.

Pham remarked on the collaborative efforts of the administration, stating that President Trump’s leadership has fostered a comprehensive plan for the US to reclaim its status as a global leader in digital asset markets. As she noted, “The CFTC has a central role to play” in this initiative.

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Leading banking institutions in traditional finance (TradFi) are reportedly partnering with US-based cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase (COIN) to explore pilots related to stablecoins, custody solutions, and trading options. 

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong announced this during his appearance at the New York Times Dealbook Summit on Wednesday, as reported by Bloomberg.

Coinbase CEO Cautions Banks On Crypto Resistance

Armstrong emphasized that leading financial institutions recognize this as an opportunity for growth. “The best banks are leaning into this as an opportunity,” he stated, although he refrained from naming any specific banks involved in these initiatives. 

During his speech, the executive also voiced his concerns about institutions that resist participating in the digital asset ecosystem. He asserted that those who oppose it will be left behind.

This sentiment aligns with remarks Armstrong made six months ago, where he predicted that eventually, every major bank would integrate cryptocurrency into their operations. 

He views this technology as a means to modernize the financial system, stating, “We can power a variety of things for them.” He noted that some banks are looking for custodial solutions, while others are interested in developing their own stablecoins.

COIN Shares Surge 5%

Adding weight to this discussion, Larry Fink, CEO of the world’s largest asset manager and crypto exchange-traded fund (ETF) issuer BlackRock, participated in the event alongside Armstrong. 

Fink, who previously voiced skepticism about cryptocurrencies, described Bitcoin (BTC) as a safe haven asset despite the cryptocurrency’s crash toward $83,000 on Monday. 

“You own Bitcoin because you’re frightened of your physical security. You own it because you’re frightened of your financial security,” he remarked. 

On the financial side, Coinbase’s stock performance reflects the positive sentiment in the cryptocurrency market amid recovering prices. Trading under the ticker COIN on the Nasdaq, Coinbase’s shares closed Wednesday at nearly $277, marking a 5% increase. 

This uplift coincides with broader gains in the cryptocurrency sector, notably led by the recent price performance of Ethereum (ETH), followed by Bitcoin, XRP, Binance Coin (BNB), and other notable tokens such as Solana (SOL), all of which have shown significant recoveries this week after a challenging month.

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One of the world’s largest asset managers, Vanguard Group, once skeptical about providing investors with access to the crypto market, has decided to allow trading of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds consisting primarily of digital assets on its platform. 

Vanguard Responds To Crypto Demand

Bloomberg reported on Monday that beginning on December 2, investors will have the opportunity to trade crypto-focused ETFs and mutual funds holding select cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, and Solana (SOL). 

Vanguard’s move appears to be driven by continuous interest in cryptocurrency investment, particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s stance on digital assets, which marks a significant shift from the previous administration. 

The firm’s new policy will open access to over 50 million brokerage customers, who collectively manage more than $11 trillion in assets, allowing them to engage with regulated cryptocurrency investment products. 

Andrew Kadjeski, Vanguard’s head of brokerage and investments, remarked, “Cryptocurrency ETFs and mutual funds have been tested through periods of market volatility, performing as designed while maintaining liquidity.” 

He emphasized that the administrative systems established for managing such funds have matured, accommodating evolving investor preferences.

No Memecoins Allowed

The firm stated it will support a variety of crypto ETFs and mutual funds that comply with regulatory requirements, similar to how it approaches other non-core asset classes, such as gold.

Additionally, funds linked to memecoins, classified as higher-risk by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), will not be included in this initiative. 

Kadjeski noted, “While Vanguard has no plans to launch its own crypto products, we serve millions of investors with diverse needs and risk profiles, and we aim to provide a brokerage trading platform that allows our clients to invest in choices that align with their preferences.”

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

The Ethereum (ETH) blockchain has confirmed that its highly anticipated Fusaka Upgrade is scheduled for launch on December 3, which follows the previous Pectra upgrade, introducing several key improvements for the network.

What Ethereum Users Can Look Forward To 

According to Friday’s official announcement on social media, the Fusaka Upgrade aims to make Ethereum applications faster, safer, and more user-friendly, bringing the platform closer to the functionality typical of consumer apps.

One of the major advancements included in the Fusaka upgrade is enhanced data scaling, which will enable near-instant transactions on the network. This improvement is expected to significantly reduce transaction speeds from minutes to milliseconds. 

The addition of mobile-ready wallets will also facilitate secure logins through passkeys, utilizing the hardware of users’ phones, which makes for a more streamlined and cost-effective experience.

Fusaka also introduces PeerDAS (EIP-7594), a feature that boosts data throughput by validating information via sampling, potentially increasing the throughput by up to eight times. 

This will also lead to reduced fees associated with blob transactions and provide additional space for growth, ultimately lowering user costs while maintaining the network’s decentralization.

Gas Limits, Security, And Fee Predictability 

One of the upgrade’s most notable effects is the increase in gas limits—from approximately 45 million to 60 million—expanding the network’s overall capacity. 

Additionally, the implementation of history expiry is designed to support lighter and cheaper nodes in the long run, facilitating smoother integration of blockchain infrastructure into existing corporate security standards.

Moreover, the Fusaka Upgrade is expected to natively support the standard cryptographic curve, secp256r1, aligning Ethereum’s cryptographic protocols with established standards. 

Lastly, enhancements to blob base-fee tuning are further expected to improve fee predictability, which aims to provide the blockchain’s users with a more consistent understanding of transaction costs.

When writing, Ethereum was trading at $3,045. Although it has recaptured this critical level, the token is still approximately 38% below its all-time high. However, the planned upgrade may result in increased adoption, usage, and demand for the altcoin, which might lead to further price recoveries. 

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com 

The Bitcoin price has recently stabilized above the $90,000 mark, sparking renewed optimism among bullish investors. Analysts at BTIG have suggested that this rebound could propel Bitcoin towards its ambitious target of $100,000. 

Bitcoin Price Positioned For ‘Reflex Rally’

Jonathan Krinsky, an analyst at BTIG, expressed confidence that the Bitcoin price is positioned for a continued “reflex rally,” potentially reaching $100,000 in the short-term. 

Historical data indicates that Bitcoin typically reaches a bottom around November 26, gaining momentum as the year comes to a close. This seasonal pattern further bolsters the prospects for the cryptocurrency in the coming weeks.

Another focal point for BTIG is Strategy (previously MicroStrategy), which the analyst views as a candidate for a mean reversion trade. The firm maintains a buy rating on MicroStrategy with a price target set at $630.

The analyst also highlighted that the week of Thanksgiving often aligns with momentum resets for digital assets, reinforcing expectations for a tactical upward movement into December.

Reversion Ahead To $50,000

Adding to the optimistic outlook, market analyst Rekt Capital recently mentioned that if the Bitcoin price can reclaim its position above the $94,180 mark, it would flip the 2025 yearly candle into a green one, substantiating theories of a potential rally for the leading cryptocurrency in the waning days of the year. 

However, Bitcoin must navigate certain hurdles to sustain this momentum. Rekt noted that for Bitcoin to build on its current prospects and approach the Macro downtrend line, it would require a weekly close above approximately $93,500, turning that level into support, similar to patterns observed in previous green cycles.

At the same time, Mike McGlone, an analyst at Bloomberg, has voiced concerns on social media regarding the Bitcoin price trajectory for the coming days. 

He suggested that a typical reversion to around $50,000 might be in the books now, emphasizing Bitcoin’s close correlation with the S&P 500. McGlone pointed out that the S&P 500’s 120-day volatility was at its lowest year-end level since 2017, indicating potential headwinds for Bitcoin.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com