XRP to $20? Expert Explains Why the Iran War Is a Distraction

Global geopolitical crises often dominate headlines and influence investor sentiment across financial markets. When tensions escalate in regions critical to global energy supply, markets typically react with volatility as traders reassess risk. Cryptocurrencies are no exception. However, some analysts argue that such events may distract investors from longer-term trends already unfolding within the digital asset market.

Crypto commentator Levi Rietveld, founder of Crypto Crusaders, recently shared this perspective in a video posted on X. Rietveld argued that the growing focus on tensions involving Iran may be diverting attention away from what he believes could be a significant long-term price trajectory for XRP. In his view, market fear surrounding geopolitical events could push some investors into panic selling at the wrong time.

Geopolitical Tensions and Crypto Market Volatility

Financial markets frequently respond sharply to geopolitical developments, especially when conflicts threaten key energy routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20% of global oil shipments. Rising tensions in the region often drive oil prices higher and trigger “risk-off” behavior among investors across global markets.

According to Rietveld, such developments can ripple into cryptocurrency markets, creating sudden declines in asset prices. In the video analysis, he pointed to a moment when rising oil prices coincided with a quick drop in XRP’s price. He explained, “The conflict started right here, and you can see right after this happened and oil prices started to spike, XRP went through a quick collapse in price.”

These market reactions, he suggested, often reflect short-term fear rather than fundamental changes in the underlying asset.

Claims of Market Manipulation

Rietveld also raised concerns about the role of large capital holders in shaping short-term market movements. He argued that geopolitical uncertainty can create conditions where institutional traders or whales influence sentiment and liquidity.

“The war in Iran is a complete distraction for all of you back at home on how XRP is eventually going to have a run to $20 per coin,” he said in the clip.

While claims of deliberate manipulation remain difficult to verify, analysts widely acknowledge that large investors can influence price swings due to the scale of their trades. In volatile conditions, these moves can amplify market reactions and trigger widespread liquidation or panic selling.

Technical Levels and Historical Market Cycles

Rietveld also focused on XRP’s long-term technical structure. He pointed to several key indicators used by traders, including the 50-week, 100-week, and 200-week simple moving averages (SMA). These levels often serve as long-term support zones that historically mark accumulation periods during bear markets.

He noted that previous market cycles rewarded investors who accumulated XRP near these long-term averages. In earlier periods, buying near the 200-week SMA around $0.30 produced massive gains when XRP later surged during bullish phases.

According to his analysis, XRP recently traded below the 100-week SMA and approached the 200-week SMA—levels that traders often view as potential long-term buying zones.

A Bold $20 Price Outlook

Based on historical cycles and long-term market structure, Rietveld believes XRP could experience a stronger bull market than the previous one. He emphasized that the asset has already produced higher highs compared with earlier cycles.

“I do very strongly believe that means a $20 XRP is on the table here,” he said.

While such projections remain speculative, Rietveld’s argument centers on a familiar principle in crypto markets: short-term fear often dominates headlines, but long-term market cycles continue to unfold beneath the noise.