Standard Chartered Predicts XRP Price to Surge 330% by 2026

Forget the sideways grind—one major bank just painted a target that could turn the XRP chart vertical.

The Bull Case from the Big Leagues

Standard Chartered isn't whispering—it's projecting a 330% climb for XRP within the next year. That's not a moonboy tweet; it's analysis from an institution that usually deals in sovereign bonds and forex swaps. The call hinges on a perfect storm: regulatory clarity finally cutting through the fog and real-world utility kicking into gear.

Why This Time Feels Different

The narrative has shifted from 'if' to 'when.' Banks and payment corridors aren't just experimenting anymore—they're building. XRP's original promise of moving value faster than traditional systems is getting its moment in the sun, and the timing could be impeccable. Liquidity, long the missing piece, might finally arrive at scale.

The Fine Print and the Skeptic's View

Let's be real—bank price targets in crypto have a spotty track record, often looking more like marketing material than rigorous models. Hitting a 330% gain requires everything to go right: no regulatory curveballs, flawless tech execution, and mass adoption that actually moves the needle. It's a high-stakes bet on a single asset in a brutally volatile market.

But here's the kicker: when a traditional finance heavyweight makes a call this bold, it forces the whole market to look. Whether it hits the exact number or not, the signal is clear—institutional eyes are on this asset, and they're not thinking small. Just maybe keep one eye on the chart and the other on the exit. After all, in finance, the only prediction that's always right is the one that comes with a hefty management fee.

Geoffrey Kendrick, Head of Digital Assets Research at Standard Chartered, believes XRP is entering a new development phase. According to his prediction, the crypto asset stands to benefit from two major catalysts: regulatory certainty and the approval of spot XRP-ETFs.

But how? Let’s understand the recent shifts that Kendrick takes as the base for the coin's price surge. 

Developments That Make Prediction Strong

The long-running Ripple vs. SEC lawsuit, first filed in December 2020, reached a final resolution in 2025. 

The settlement confirmed that XRP is not a security in secondary market sales, removing a major legal hurdle that had limited institutional participation. This clarity has opened the door for broader adoption across financial markets.

Adding to the bullish outlook, spot XRP ETFs launched in the U.S. in late 2025. Data from on-chain analytics platform SoSoValue shows that these ETFs recorded $1.14 billion in net inflows by December 26, with no single day of outflows since launch. 

This signals strong institutional demand and supports Kendrick’s XRP price prediction for 2026.

XRP ETF Demand Signals Institutional Confidence

Several major asset managers like 21Shares, Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and Canary Capital, launched spot XRP-ETFs starting mid-November 2025. Together, these products have collected around $1.2–1.25 billion in assets under management.

Surprisingly, XRP-ETFs have surpassed Bitcoin and ethereum ETFs in recent weeks, where both recorded outflows as the overall market consolidated. This trend suggests increasing confidence in the token's long-term value, and empowered bullish the price prediction for 2026.

However, analysts note that ETF purchases often happen through over-the-counter (OTC) deals, which absorb supply gradually rather than causing immediate price spikes on exchanges.

Why The Price Hasn’t Rallied Yet

Despite positive news and strong ETF inflows, the price has still not been able to cross the $2 barrier. The token today remains range-bound around $1.85–$1.90. The token is still nearly 10.9% down today and 48% below its mid-2025 peak of around $3.50.

Market experts attribute this to broader crypto market weakness, long-term holders profit taking, and macroeconomic liquidity pressures. These factors might have made the short-term price action slower but they don't affect the long-term predictions for XRP price that are already bullish.

Market Sentiment: Is $8 Value Realistic?

At this point, the token appears to be in a consolidation phase, a general step for any asset before the next major price hikes. Standard Chartered’s $8 XRP price prediction by 2026 is ambitious and the community has also largely welcomed it. 

If ETF inflows maintain the current growth pattern and utility-driven adoption grows, 2026 could be a breakout year for the token.

However, legal clarity may not be a standalone factor driving price increases; user adoption has to be persistent too. Risks still remain, including XRP’s correlation with Bitcoin, global macroeconomics conditions, major upcoming decision in 2026, and ETF inflows uncertainties. 

Yet, partnerships in Asia and expanding payment use cases through RippleNet continue to strengthen the asset's fundamentals.

Crypto assets are highly volatile. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.