Can XRP still climb despite recent struggles?

XRP has been stuck in a sideways pattern since February, bouncing between support and resistance levels. Every attempt to push higher keeps failing, leaving traders confused about the next move. Instead of breaking out, the coin is now testing old support zones that held strong before. Volume spiked recently, jumping over 170% to $5. 38 billion, suggesting big players might be stepping in. Open interest rose by about 7% as traders bet on where XRP would go next. Short sellers took a big hit lately, losing around $6 million in just 24 hours. Meanwhile, long holders barely broke even, showing how risky betting against XRP has become. This imbalance reveals a shift in sentiment, with bears getting squeezed while bulls stay cautious. Funding rates on Binance hit their most negative point in months, meaning most traders expect prices to drop. Oddly, XRP still managed a 27% gain over the same period, proving predictability is harder than ever in crypto.Looking back, a similar setup happened in April 2025 when XRP was heavily shorted before a sudden rally pushed prices up 126%. If history repeats, a reversal could be coming soon. Technical indicators like the Parabolic SAR and MACD suggest the trend stays upward as long as key levels hold. Traders are eyeing a possible two-step climb, first to $1. 60–$1. 65, then toward $1. 80–$1. 85. The catch? Support at $1. 42–$1. 45 must stay strong, or the whole move might fizzle out.