XRP heads back towards $0.50 as charts lean bearish

Ripple’s (XRP/USD) comeback from three-day lows appears to have lost traction on Saturday, as technical charts turn in favor of the bears in the near-term.

XRP/USD: Short-term technical outlook

XRP/USD: Hourly chart

Ripple wavers in a rising wedge formation on the hourly chart, eyeing a bearish breakdown. A rising wedge is a bearish continuation pattern, with an hourly close below the rising trendline support of 0.5431 needed to validate the formation.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) has turned south and breaches the midline, suggesting that the bears back in control. Further, the bearish crossover adds credence to the bearish shift in the sentiment around the price. In early dealings, the 50-hourly moving average (HMA) pierced the 21-HMA from above, triggering the pullback.

To the downside, 50-HMA support at 0.5360 could offer some temporary reprieve to the bulls. Meanwhile, the 200-HMA cushion at 0.5062 is the level to beat for the bears.

Alternatively, a powerful upside barrier awaits at 0.6005, the confluence of the 100-HMA and rising trendline resistance. A sustained break above the latter is critical to reviving the recovery momentum.

XRP/USD: Four-hour chart

Looking at the four-hour chart, the bearish 21-simple moving average (SMA), now at 0.5798, is capping the recovery in XRP/USD. Note that the spot hasn’t closed above the 21-SMA since early Thursday.

Therefore, the bulls need a convincing break above that key barrier, in order to extend Friday’s comeback. The next relevant target is seen at 0.6000. On the flip side, the upward-sloping 50-SMA at 0.5110 could offer support. Further south, the ten-day-old ascending trendline support at 0.4961 could be put at risk.

The RSI has flipped into bearish territory, currently trading at 49.68, backing the case for the downside.

XRP/USD: Additional levels to consider