- Standard Chartered predicts XRP could rise to $8 by 2026 from its current price.
- XRP ETFs have attracted over $1 billion showing strong institutional interest in the token.
- XRP Ledger upgrades improve speed and lower fees making it more useful for global payments.
Standard Chartered has added XRP to its list of promising digital assets. The bank predicts the token could rise by 330% within the next year. The current price of XRP stands at $1.86.
The bank’s global head of digital assets research estimates it could reach $8 by 2026. It is one of the most optimistic forecasts of Ripple. This optimism is pegged on the advancements in the cryptocurrency ecosystem and increased institutional interest.
Growing Institutional Interest and ETFs
Several US-based XRP spot ETFs launched in November, signaling rising institutional adoption. Investment funds from Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, Canary Capital, and others now offer exposure to XRP. These products help reduce risks related to holding crypto assets in custody. Data from SoSoValue indicates that these ETFs attracted approximately $1.15 billion in investments by December 29. The increasing ETF activity strengthens the perception of XRP as a reliable institutional asset.
Usability and Ripple Ledger Developments
XRP’s utility remains central to its value proposition. It is the native cryptocurrency of the XRP Ledger, which processes transactions faster and at lower fees than SWIFT. Ripple has added major technological updates to the ledger. These upgrades maximize efficiency and improve decentralized finance abilities. The improvements support XRP’s potential as a bridge currency for global payments. Analysts suggest the XRP Ledger could capture a notable share of cross-border payments in the coming years.
Mixed Market Sentiment and Industry Recognition
The XRP market mood is both optimistic and cautious. Whereas Standard Chartered forecasts a sharp rise in price, long-time trader Peter Brandt foresees a drop to below $1. He points to a double top formation in weekly charts, which indicate that there may be reversals in the trends. Despite differing views, institutional participation continues to grow.
CME Group announced plans to launch XRP and Solana spot futures on December 15 to meet growing institutional demand. Additionally, Ripple has gained recognition in the tokenization sector. According to industry observers, Ripple and Midnight are undertaking very large tokenization projects that would outpace traditional finance programs.
All three effects of ETFs, technological improvements, and institutional adoption makes XRP a major force in digital finance. The token’s future performance will likely depend on broader adoption and continued ledger optimization.
