XRP is facing a potentially make-or-break moment as its price action consolidates within a symmetrical triangle on the weekly chart, a pattern that has persisted since 2017. This long-term compression carries significant weight and risk for the cryptocurrency.
Analyst STEPH IS CRYPTO recently highlighted concerns regarding this pattern, noting that the triangle's upper trendline has consistently capped XRP's price across multiple cycles. The analysis suggests that repeated tests of this resistance area could trigger substantial corrections, echoing past market behavior and potentially leading XRP to repeat previous mistakes.
The Long-Term Triangle's Anatomy
Since late 2017, XRP's weekly price has been trading between two converging trendlines. The upper trendline has marked a series of lower highs, while the lower trendline has tracked higher lows, defining a classic symmetrical triangle formation.
XRP has approached this upper trendline on several occasions throughout the years, including notable instances in 2018, 2021, 2022, and currently in 2025. This repeated interaction demonstrates that market forces have consistently respected this boundary. The longer this formation continues, the more energy it accumulates, setting the stage for a potentially explosive breakout or breakdown in the future.
This looks dangerous for $XRPpic.twitter.com/5tKXXWEDRa
— STEPH IS CRYPTO (@Steph_iscrypto) November 24, 2025
Historical Cycles and Price Risk
STEPH IS CRYPTO's concern is rooted in XRP's historical price behavior. In each past instance where the price neared the upper trendline, a sharp retracement followed. In 2018, XRP experienced a pullback of approximately 50 percent from its peak.
During the 2021 and 2022 cycles, these corrections became more severe, with some assessments indicating drops of up to 80 percent. By pointing out these historical patterns, STEPH IS CRYPTO argues that XRP could once again face a steep decline if it fails to achieve a convincing break above this resistance level, a warning that resonates with many chart observers.
Technical Danger Zones
While symmetrical triangles are generally considered neutral patterns, the current situation appears to present an asymmetric risk. A potential upward breakout would likely require significant volume to confirm bullish intent and sustain momentum.
Conversely, a breakdown below the triangle's lower boundary could validate STEPH IS CRYPTO's bearish outlook and potentially trigger a substantial price drop. Given the extreme compression of XRP's price within the triangle, even minor price swings could result in outsized moves if accompanied by surges or collapses in trading volume.
Broader Market & On-Chain Context
The risk is not confined to technical chart patterns alone. On-chain data indicates that long-term XRP holders are actively accumulating the asset. However, this pattern of accumulation has historically coincided with the formation of price tops in previous cycles. Furthermore, broader macroeconomic conditions, shifts in liquidity flows, and prevailing market sentiment could exacerbate any technical breakdown.
As other analysts have observed, even with potential bullish catalysts for XRP, repeated failures to overcome resistance levels increase the probability of a significant market correction.
What Traders Should Do Now
Short-term traders are advised to manage their risk exposure very carefully. The boundaries of the symmetrical triangle represent zones of high tension, and any misstep could prove costly. For long-term holders, it is prudent to prepare for both potential scenarios: an upside breakout or a downside breakdown.
Key indicators to monitor include trading volume, price action around the trendlines, and on-chain metrics, which may provide crucial insights into future price movements. STEPH IS CRYPTO's warning should not be dismissed as mere speculation; it is grounded in established historical patterns.
Final Thoughts
The symmetrical triangle observed on XRP's weekly chart is more than just a textbook formation; it represents a potential danger zone. Past rejections at the upper trendline have preceded some of XRP's most significant and painful corrections. STEPH IS CRYPTO's call for caution is well-founded, as the risk of history repeating itself is a tangible concern.
Traders and investors should await clear confirmation of either a breakout or a breakdown before committing significant capital. The price action observed in the coming weeks could very well dictate XRP's trajectory for the remainder of 2025.