Main points
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Younghoon Kim, the self-proclaimed “smartest man in the world,” claims that the price of XRP will soar.
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The comments come as sentiment toward the asset sours.
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Technical analysis is equally pessimistic.
The self-proclaimed “smartest man in the world” YoungHoon Kim has once again captured the attention of the cryptocurrency market with optimistic predictions, this time focusing on XRP as the token continues to trade lower and investor sentiment worsens.
Kim, who has an IQ of 276, said that under certain macroeconomic conditions, XRP could see significant long-term appreciation, while also pointing to potential near-term upside.
“In my opinion, XRP could be close to $1,000 in the next 10 years,” Kim wrote.
He said that weakness in fiat currencies will drive the price of XRP to surge.
He added: “Assuming massive capital inflows into cryptocurrencies coupled with a sharp decline in the value of the U.S. dollar and rising inflation, this scenario cannot be numerically ruled out.”
Kim also said in a separate post that XRP may be approaching a major cycle peak and could benefit from a seasonal rebound.
“Many signals suggest that XRP may top out in January 2026,” he wrote. “In my opinion, a Christmas rally for XRP is possible,” he added.
Market data suggests optimism remains limited.
Negative comments surrounding XRP have far exceeded historical norms, according to data from blockchain analytics firm Santiment.
During previous bull runs, XRP-related discussions typically shifted from neutral to positive, driven by a highly engaged community (often referred to as the “XRP brigade”).
The balance has shifted, with Santiment data showing bearish mentions of XRP roughly 20% to 30% higher than the November average.
Posts questioning XRP’s decentralization, utility, and Ripple’s influence receive attention and tend to generate more engagement than supportive comments.
Santiment described the current environment as a “fear zone” and noted that pessimism surrounding XRP has reached its highest level since October.
Some traders see worsening sentiment as a potential contrarian signal.
XRP has fallen approximately 45% from its November high, with the decline accompanied by negative funding rates and rising short interest rates.
In past cryptocurrency cycles, this has sometimes preceded sharp price reversals as selling pressure eased.
XRP experienced similar dynamics in late 2020 and early 2021, when uncertainty over the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple caused the price to drop by more than 70%.
The coin subsequently rebounded, pushing the price above $2.
From a technical perspective, XRP remains under pressure.
CCN analyst Victor Olanrewaju noted that XRP has seen more red candlesticks than green candlesticks on its weekly chart since it hit its all-time high.
“As a result, price action has compressed into a descending triangle with horizontal support forming near $1.88,” Olanrewaju wrote.
Analysts said momentum indicators continued to be bearish.
Olanrewaju said that if these conditions persist, XRP could slip towards the next support level near $1.43, especially if broader market conditions remain weak.
“In addition to the bearish setup, the coin also formed a death cross on the EMA structure,” he added.
However, he noted that a resurgence of buying pressure – especially if demand in the physical market begins to recover – could invalidate the bearish pattern.
“In this case, the price of XRP may try to rebound towards the $2.22 area,” he said.
World’s smartest man says XRP price will surge to $1,000, claims Christmas rally is coming