XRP is demonstrating sustained relative strength against Bitcoin, with technical analysis suggesting a major expansion phase may be underway in 2026. According to analyst Dark Defender, the XRP/BTC ratio has been in a clear uptrend since March 2024, with the six-month chart showing a momentum shift from prolonged compression to an emerging expansion phase. This structure favors continuation, indicating accumulation rather than a short-term bounce. Historically, a rising XRP/BTC ratio has preceded broader price appreciation for XRP itself.
At the time of analysis, XRP was trading near $2.06 against USDT, following a period of consolidation after a sharp advance. The elevated volume during the prior move higher, followed by stabilization, aligns with the broader narrative of underlying strength.
Fundamentally, Ripple, the company behind XRP, has been aggressively expanding its ecosystem. In 2025, it launched an Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible sidechain to attract developers, though early adoption has been slow with less than $50,000 in Total Value Locked (TVL) as of early January 2026. Ripple also made several strategic acquisitions, including prime broker Hidden Road and payments platform Rail, and launched its own stablecoin, Ripple USD (RLUSD).
The company is reportedly pursuing a U.S. national bank charter and a Federal Reserve master account, moves that position it more like a traditional financial institution. Analysts predict these combined factors, alongside continued buying from digital asset treasury companies, could push XRP to a $3 price target in 2026, representing a roughly 40% increase from its early January level of around $2.15. XRP's market capitalization stands at approximately $126 billion.
