In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrencies, Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) remain two of the most closely-watched tokens, especially during periods of market volatility. Over the past seven days, both have stayed in positive territory, demonstrating resilience even as the broader market undergoes periodic pullbacks. 

Fimatron’s professionals bring clarity to this subject through well-researched commentary in this article.

Now, technical indicators suggest that XRP may retest the $2.3 level, while Ethereum appears poised for a potential breakout toward $4,100, powered by a classic bullish pattern and upcoming network upgrades.

XRP Eyes the $2.3 Resistance as It Holds the $2.2 Support Zone

The XRP price recently dipped below the key $2.28 support level, triggering a move down to $2.2, a critical technical area that traders had been watching closely. This move followed a period of mild downtrend, which began after XRP surged near its all-time high just a few months ago. 

Market sentiment has remained somewhat cautious, with participants awaiting a decisive catalyst to trigger the next leg higher.

XRP has bounced off the $2.2 level during the Asian session, signaling potential strength in the underlying support zone. As the American session begins and trading volume increases, this bounce could be confirmed with follow-through buying. 

If so, the next level to watch would be $2.3, a psychological resistance that, once broken, could open the door to a more aggressive bullish continuation.

However, traders should remain cautious. A bearish breakout below $2.2 could pave the way for a move toward $2.16, with a possible short position becoming attractive on a successful retest of broken support. The risk-reward ratio in such a setup would be favorable if volatility accelerates.

Ethereum Eyes $3,000 First, Then $4,100 via Bullish Cup and Handle Formation

Unlike XRP, Ethereum has been steadily marching toward its previously highlighted $3,000 target, despite undergoing short-term consolidation. The price action, while tight, is seen by many analysts as accumulation, which often precedes breakout phases in crypto markets.

The recent emergence of a cup and handle pattern on Ethereum’s daily chart adds further weight to the bullish narrative. This well-known technical pattern signals a potential explosive price move once the handle is completed and a breakout occurs above the neckline resistance.

Applying that logic to current price levels means that Ethereum could hit $4,100 in the mid-term if the breakout is confirmed and the trendline is successfully retested from above. In traditional charting theory, this validation retest of the neckline is critical, and a strong bounce off it usually acts as the final confirmation of the bullish pattern.

Moreover, Ethereum has a powerful fundamental tailwind in the form of the upcoming Pectra upgrade. This technical improvement is designed to enhance the efficiency and scalability of the Ethereum network, which is still the leading platform for smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). 

As history has shown, protocol upgrades often act as major price catalysts, and Pectra could play a similar role in ETH’s current cycle.

Market Context: Recovery in Progress Amid Structural Strength

Despite recent pullbacks, the broader crypto market has shown signs of resilience, with many top assets recovering in the past week. Both XRP and ETH have managed to maintain their upward bias, supported by structural and technical factors.

Investors should pay close attention to the American trading session, which often sets the tone for price action into the weekend. For XRP, holding above $2.2 will be critical, while ETH needs to sustain momentum above $3,000 to complete the cup and handle breakout.

Conclusion: XRP and ETH Enter Critical Technical Phases

To summarize:

• XRP has rebounded from $2.2, and a confirmed bounce could push it back to $2.3, with $2.28 acting as an intermediate resistance.
• A failure to hold $2.2 may trigger bearish continuation, but the risk-reward favors close observation for now.
• Ethereum is nearing $3,000, but the larger story is the cup and handle breakout pattern, which targets $4,100.
• The Pectra upgrade adds fundamental strength to Ethereum’s case, while XRP awaits a market catalyst for a decisive move.

With strong patterns emerging and fundamentals aligning, both ETH and XRP present compelling setups as we move further into Q2 2025. Traders and investors alike should remain vigilant and watch for breakout confirmations, volume surges, and macro news that could catalyze these potential price moves.