XRP trading heats up in early 2026 as Coinbase USD volume surges
XRP is off to a strong start in 2026. Just two days into the new year, direct USD-to-XRP trading volume on Coinbase has jumped more than 365%, a sign that fresh capital — not just token swaps — is flowing into the market. Analysts say this renewed demand could help push XRP back toward the $3 level.
Unlike stablecoin-based trades, this spike reflects new dollar inflows entering XRP, largely through ETF-related activity. That distinction matters, as it suggests growing institutional and retail interest rather than short-term rotation within crypto.
ETF activity revives familiar XRP patterns
Crypto investor Chad Steingraber noted that in the first 90 minutes of 2026, XRP ETFs crossed $7 million in volume, with Bitwise leading the way and posting a 5% gain shortly after US markets opened.
XRP’s price has responded quickly. The token is up nearly 6% in the past 24 hours, with spot trading volume climbing to $2.73 billion, a 60% increase from the previous day.
XRP is now trading close to the $2.00 psychological level, and analysts are watching closely as it approaches the 21-month exponential moving average (EMA). The last time XRP tested this level — back in December 2017 — it was followed by a powerful rally in early 2018.
With a similar setup appearing again in December 2025, some analysts believe XRP could break above $2.00, revisit the $3.30–$3.40 range, and potentially move toward new highs above $4.00 if momentum builds.
Long-term chart points to a bullish transition
On the monthly chart, XRP appears to be transitioning from a long period of accumulation into a renewed bullish phase. After spending years capped below resistance, XRP broke decisively higher during 2024–2025, reclaiming the $1.20–$1.45 zone that had previously limited price action.
That move marked a structural shift in market control and opened the door for XRP’s advance toward $2.00 — a level that now acts as a key short-term decision point.
The current pullback looks corrective rather than bearish. Price is consolidating above former resistance near $1.45–$1.50, which has now turned into important support. Holding above this area suggests XRP is forming a higher low after a strong rally.
The next major confirmation level sits around $2.32. A sustained move above it would likely clear the path toward $3.00–$3.10, just below XRP’s January 2018 peak near $3.31.
Momentum indicators back this view. The RSI has cooled off from overbought levels but remains well above bear-market territory, pointing to consolidation rather than distribution. This reset leaves room for another push higher if buyers step back in.
Smaller tokens watch XRP for cues
If XRP successfully reclaims the $3 mark and resumes a broader rally, attention could spill over into smaller, higher-risk tokens as traders look for outsized returns. Presale projects like Maxi Doge (MAXI) have already begun attracting interest as part of that speculative flow.
Maxi Doge has raised more than $4.3 million so far and focuses heavily on community engagement, staking incentives, and trading discussions — an approach reminiscent of early meme-coin cycles. Whether that momentum holds will likely depend on the broader direction of majors like XRP.
