Analyst Mickle warns that XRP’s anticipated price recalibration may not align with regulatory timelines, predicting a delay of one to two quarters after any legislation passes. The token’s price has fallen roughly 12% in March 2026 to approximately $1.37, amidst persistent fluctuations and the looming launch of Elon Musk’s X Money payment service.
Analyst Mickle suggests the catalyst for a significant XRP repricing sits one to two quarters away, not on the day any regulatory bill is signed. He points to the market’s muted initial reaction following the 2024 SEC case conclusion as a precedent for institutional delay.
Investment committees and risk teams at major institutions typically require months to adjust strategy after a regulatory shift. Mickle argues that public partnership announcements from institutions, following full regulatory clarity, are what will ultimately move the price.
Ripple’s regulatory clarity appears increasingly certain in Washington, with debate now centered on political timing. This clarity would allow institutions that have run quiet pilots to publicly confirm partnerships.
The imminent launch of Elon Musk‘s X Money service adds a new layer of speculation to the payments sector as reported by BlockNow. Ripple has spent years building infrastructure like RippleNet and the XRP Ledger for fast, low-cost settlements.
At the time of writing, XRP trades at around $1.37, down from $1.59 since March began according to CoinGecko data. Short-term market caution is evident with futures open interest at $2.33 billion and key support watched at the $1.30 level.
Long-term price predictions vary, with CoinCodex projecting an average annual price of $4.94 for XRP by 2030. Analyst Mickle’s full commentary on the delayed repricing timeline is available.
