Market analysts have observed that XRP is currently forming a classic technical pattern on the 15-minute chart—the symmetrical triangle. Simply put, the price is being squeezed between two trendlines that are converging towards the center, with the range gradually narrowing, resembling a slow compression.

What does this pattern usually indicate? It suggests a stalemate between the bulls and bears at this price level, with neither side able to dominate. Once the price is pushed to a certain point, a breakout in either direction is inevitable. An upward breakout signals a bullish trend, while a downward breakout indicates a bearish trend.

Interestingly, on Christmas Day, XRP approached the lower boundary of the triangle and was about to break below it, but ultimately found support there and rebounded. This shows that the pattern remains stable for now, with bulls and bears still in a tug-of-war.

The symmetrical triangle is somewhat special; unlike ascending or descending triangles, it is not "biased." The chances of an upward or downward move are roughly equal, making it difficult to predict the next move purely from a technical perspective.

Why do some say it might rise by 10%? This is actually a rule of thumb in technical analysis: after a breakout from the triangle, the expected price movement often corresponds to the "height" of the triangle. Based on the current pattern, the estimated fluctuation range is about 10%.

Currently, XRP is trading around $1.84, having shrunk by 3.3% over the past week. The market seems to be waiting for a signal, ready to follow the next directional move. Whether it breaks upward or downward, we’ll have to wait for the price to give the answer.