$XRP may be close to a major breakout against Bitcoin after years of underperformance.
The $XRP/$BTC trading pair is approaching a key technical turning point. If the breakout happens, $XRP could significantly outperform the world’s largest cryptocurrency.
The bullish outlook comes as $XRP continues to consolidate below a long-term descending trendline. That resistance has capped rallies since the token’s 2018 peak. $XRP is currently trading at $1.13, up 9% from the previous week’s low of $1.009.
This strength is also visible on the $XRP/$BTC chart, which has gained 2.7% over the past week, suggesting $XRP is outperforming Bitcoin during the ongoing recovery.
$XRP/$BTC Breakout Could Lead to 10x Surge
Notably, the long-term $XRP/$BTC chart highlights a descending resistance line that has remained in place since 2018. Now, the pair is nearing the apex of the pattern, suggesting a breakout may be getting closer.
The chart shows $XRP/$BTC trading around 0.000018 $BTC while testing the upper boundary of the multi-year downtrend. $XRP is also facing a major resistance zone near its 2018 highs. If $XRP eventually returns to that level, the pair could gain more than 1,040%.
In other words, $XRP could outperform Bitcoin by roughly 10 times during the breakout. This would put $XRP’s price around $13 by the time Bitcoin reaches its next all-time high, with the $XRP/$BTC ratio rising to around 0.0001800 from approximately 0.00001807 today.
Price Will Be the Main Catalyst
Meanwhile, this outlook has sparked optimism in the $XRP community. One user on X asked what would drive $XRP into the double-digit price range if it rallies before Bitcoin sets a new all-time high. The investor wondered whether utility, spot ETFs, regulatory clarity, or retail demand would be the primary catalyst.
Community figure Celal Kucuker argued that price itself would be the biggest catalyst. He said that once $XRP starts making higher highs against Bitcoin, improving market sentiment would attract more buyers.
Other bullish developments could support the rally, but they would likely act as secondary catalysts rather than the initial trigger.
Years of Compression May Set Up a Strong Move
Another market participant noted that $XRP has traded below its 2018 valuation relative to Bitcoin for several years. He suggested that such a prolonged period of weakness could eventually end with a sharp breakout.
Others agreed with the view, noting that markets often produce stronger moves after extended periods of compression. Essentially, the $XRP/$BTC pair has been building energy for years, and that could make any confirmed breakout more significant.
Ultimately, the journey for $XRP to climb above $10 remains challenging, as the token is currently trading at $1.13 while the market remains in a bearish phase. However, this outlook could play out when the next bull cycle emerges.