The value motion for XRP and bitcoin (BTC) resembles a tightly compressed spring on the verge of uncoiling with a sudden launch of power.
That is the message from a key volatility indicator referred to as Bollinger Bandwidth. Bollinger Bands are volatility bands set at plus two and minus two customary deviations above and beneath the 20-period shifting common (SMA) of an asset’s market worth. The bandwidth measures the house between these bands as a share of the 20-day shifting common.

Within the case of XRP, the Bollinger bandwidth has narrowed to its lowest degree since October 2024 on the 4-hour chart, the place every candle represents worth motion for a four-hour interval. The 4-hour chart interval is kind of fashionable within the 24/7 crypto market, permitting merchants to investigate and predict short-term worth actions. Bitcoin’s 4-hour chart mirrors the Bollinger band width sample in XRP.
The long-held perception is {that a} tighter Bollinger band width, reflecting a quiet interval out there, is akin to a compressed spring prepared for important motion.
Throughout these calm phases, the market accumulates power that’s ultimately launched as soon as a transparent path is established, typically resulting in dramatic rallies or sharp worth declines. Each XRP and bitcoin surged in November-December following an prolonged range-bound interval that left their bandwidth at ranges similar to these noticed at this time.
That mentioned, tighter bands don’t at all times point out a bullish volatility explosion; they will additionally foreshadow a sell-off. For instance, the bands tightened in October 2022, signaling a big transfer forward, which materialized on the draw back after FTX went bust.
It stays to be seen whether or not this newest spring compression will set off bullish volatility or lead each tokens right into a tailspin. The latest hawkish feedback from Federal Reserve’s Chairman Jerome Powell and promoting by some whales favor the latter.
Keep alert!