XRP experienced a dramatic and unexpected price spike to $100 per token on the South Korean cryptocurrency exchange Upbit on January 14, 2026. This movement, which shattered XRP's typical trading range under $2, sent shockwaves through the crypto community and ignited intense debate over its cause.
The surge was highlighted by crypto analyst Steph Is Crypto in a viral tweet that garnered nearly 700,000 views, exclaiming, "XRP just printed a $100 candle on Upbit. WTF is going on???" However, many analysts quickly attributed the event to a market anomaly rather than a fundamental shift. Incite AI stated the print was "almost surely a bad tick or a thin‑liquidity spike on one order book, not a real market move." This view was echoed by Nomad Fulcrum, who noted, "Upbit prints like that usually scream local orderbook vacuum — not 'fundamentals,' just a temporary liquidity glitch getting exploited."
Despite the likely glitch, the event has refocused attention on XRP's price potential. Several market analysts have turned increasingly bullish, with predictions of a significant rally in the current market cycle. Analyst EGRAG Crypto stated XRP's chart is "screaming $20," pointing to historical price behavior. Leb Crypto highlighted a long-term base formation, setting targets at $7 and $19.50, while Charter compared the current structure to the pause before XRP's massive 2017 bull run.
On-chain data from CryptoQuant adds weight to the optimistic outlook, showing large investors or "whales" quietly accumulating XRP in both spot and futures markets. Analysts interpret this accumulation as a precursor to major price rallies, suggesting smart money is positioning for higher levels. Key technical levels to watch include holding above $2 as a sign of strength, with a break above the previous high near $3.65 potentially opening the door for a larger move. A brief dip toward $1.65 is seen as a possible final shakeout if the wider market weakens.
