Veteran market analyst Peter Brandt recently issued a cautious year-end forecast for XRP, indicating that the cryptocurrency might face challenges in sustaining its recent upward momentum. On April 18, Brandt shared his latest analysis on X (formerly known as Twitter), presenting two potential scenarios for XRP’s market capitalization by the end of the year.

The first scenario projects XRP’s market cap to hover around $116.67 billion, while the second, more pessimistic outlook suggests a value of just above $60 billion. Both estimates suggest a decline from XRP’s current valuation, which stands at approximately $2.09 per token, corresponding to a market capitalization of $121 billion.

Brandt’s analysis hinges on a technical pattern he previously identified on XRP’s price chart. He described the formation as resembling a classic head-and-shoulders pattern, a configuration often indicative of a trend reversal. Should this occur, XRP could potentially drop as low as $1.07. Additionally, he mentioned that a price movement below $1.90 would validate the bearish pattern and likely result in a significant correction exceeding 50%. Conversely, a breakout above $3 would negate the bearish projection.

This forecast comes after XRP experienced a notable price increase since late 2024. Following former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the token surged more than 300%, peaking at $3.28 before retreating to its present level. This performance has led numerous investors to speculate that the Trump administration’s supportive stance towards digital assets could contribute to further gains for XRP.

A key factor driving this rally was the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) decision to dismiss multiple lawsuits against crypto companies, including Ripple. This regulatory shift alleviated uncertainty and reignited interest in XRP, leading to the introduction of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) targeting the asset.

Furthermore, Ripple introduced its own stablecoin, RLUSD, aiming to capitalize on the expanding digital asset market. Despite these developments, Brandt’s warning implies that XRP’s recent rally may not endure if selling pressure strengthens.

As attention focuses on XRP’s performance, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse addressed increasing speculation regarding the company’s potential initial public offering (IPO). In a recent video posted on X, Garlinghouse clarified that Ripple does not intend to pursue an IPO in 2025. He stated that the firm remains financially stable and is concentrating on product innovation and business growth, thus not actively seeking external funding.

Although Ripple is not advancing with an IPO this year, Garlinghouse left the possibility open for the future. He mentioned that the company is assessing whether going public would be advantageous in the long term; however, it is not a current priority. Additionally, Garlinghouse suggested that changes in the regulatory environment, particularly under new SEC leadership, could impact Ripple’s strategic decisions.

His remarks coincide with reports that several crypto firms, such as Kraken and Circle, are preparing for IPOs. For now, Ripple seems content remaining private until circumstances improve.

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