XRP's 2025 trajectory has been telling: the asset finally clinched its courtroom victory and secured ETF approvals—major regulatory wins that should've fired up the market. Yet the price action tells a different story. Despite these fundamentals, XRP traded sideways for most of the year, failing to build momentum. Looking ahead to 2026, the $5 price target remains elusive. Traders are watching whether regulatory clarity will eventually translate into sustained buying pressure, or if sentiment headwinds continue to cap gains.