XRP recently reached a new all-time high near $3.66 in July 2025, marking a major move for the digital asset. Crypto analyst Dark Defender, known by the handle @DefendDark, has stated that this milestone is just the first step within a much larger cycle for XRP, suggesting far higher price targets in the coming years.
Elliott Wave analysis points to higher targets
Dark Defender outlined an extensive Elliott Wave analysis focused on the XRP/USD weekly chart, presenting a price roadmap that features targets of $333 and ultimately $1,043. According to his chart, the surge from approximately $0.30 to $3.66 marked sub-wave 1 of what he terms Grand Wave 3. Following this rally, XRP corrected to around $1.13, completing sub-wave 2 and, in his view, setting the stage for what he calls the “biggest wave of a lifetime.”
The analysis details a multi-step sequence for Grand Wave 3. In this framework, sub-wave 3 is projected to drive XRP toward the $74 to $117 range, underpinned by Fibonacci extension levels at 141.4% ($74.39) and 261.8% ($117.09). After a corrective phase in sub-wave 4, the price could then move toward $333 in sub-wave 5, corresponding to the 161.8% macro Fibonacci extension level.
$3.66 arrived from the 30-cent levels, and that run was only the first step of the Grand Wave 3. The analyst noted that XRP targets set years ago have already been surpassed, and anticipates standing “in front of the biggest wave of a lifetime.”
| Wave/Sub-wave | Target Range | Fibonacci Level |
|---|---|---|
| Sub-wave 1 | $0.30 – $3.66 | Initial run |
| Sub-wave 2 | $1.13 (correction) | Retest zone |
| Sub-wave 3 | $74.39 – $117.09 | 141.4% – 261.8% |
| Sub-wave 4 | Correction | Intermediate retrace |
| Sub-wave 5 | $333.11 | 161.8% macro extension |
| Grand (3) | $1,043.60 | 361.8% extension |
Mini dictionary: Elliott Wave Theory, a technical analysis method developed by Ralph Nelson Elliott, uses recurring patterns of waves to predict the direction and magnitude of price movements in financial markets. Key wave sequences and their Fibonacci relationships are often cited in cryptocurrency price analyses.
Targets defined by Fibonacci extensions
The chart assigns each price milestone to a Fibonacci extension level: $30.30 is the 200% extension, $117.09 is the 261.8% extension, and $333.11 represents the 161.8% macro extension. The long-term target of $1,043.60 aligns with the 361.8% Fibonacci extension on the largest wave degree. As part of the ongoing analysis, Dark Defender highlighted that XRP’s move to new highs shows progress toward those broader projections.
Dark Defender described XRP as having “flew high where eagles dare,” with the current wave structure forming a continued advance within the same long-term pattern.
Larger structure and future outlook
The analyst’s wave count shows that, beyond the lower-degree sub-waves, a larger degree Wave (3) could target $1,043 if the sequence unfolds as expected, with completion possibly in 2027. The earlier A-B-C correction, which took place from 2025 through 2026 and ended near $1.13, is identified as a crucial pivot, setting up the launch point for future upside projections.
This extended period of consolidation and correction, according to the analysis, has established a strong base for the next significant move in the XRP market cycle. Dark Defender stated that the current upward momentum marks the start of a powerful new wave, although he suggests it remains unseen by much of the market.
Next steps in the wave sequence
The all-time high of $3.66 serves as a fundamental reference within the new structure. If the Elliott Wave count remains intact, sub-wave 3 is expected to begin, which, as in many previous cycles, has historically demonstrated the strongest price movements of the sequence. Dark Defender indicates this progression could take XRP to much higher levels over the coming years.
XRP is a leading digital asset used for global payments and settlement by financial institutions and is closely associated with Ripple, a US-based blockchain technology company.
