XRP Reclaims $1.50 Amid Bitcoin Rally and Regulatory Hurdles

The cryptocurrency XRP reclaimed the $1.50 price level by September 23, 2026, driven by a broader market rally and a short squeeze as Bitcoin surged past $85,000. This recovery follows a period of decline after the United States Senate blocked the CLARITY Act on September 15 in a 49-50 vote, a bill that would have solidified the classification of XRP as a digital commodity.

Despite recent gains, XRP remains 38% below its January peak of $2.36, trailing Bitcoin's recovery. Market analysts attribute this lag to regulatory uncertainty and lower institutional demand, noting that XRP ETFs hold only 1.7% of the supply compared to 6.4% for Bitcoin ETFs. Additionally, Ripple Labs continues to exert downward price pressure by releasing up to one billion XRP from escrow into the circulating supply on the first of every month.

While some traders speculate on a long-term target of $5, analysts maintain that such a valuation would require a $300 billion market cap and increased real-world utility. Technical resistance remains between $1.55 and $2, with further selling pressure expected around the October 1 escrow release.