XRP’s Institutional Ascent: Standard Chartered Forecasts $8 Target by 2026

In a significant endorsement from traditional finance, Standard Chartered Bank has issued a bullish forecast for Ripple's XRP, projecting a dramatic rally to $8 by 2026. This represents a potential surge of approximately 330% from current levels. The prediction, articulated by Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank's Global Head of Digital Assets Research, is rooted in two pivotal structural shifts: increasing regulatory clarity surrounding digital assets and accelerating institutional capital inflows. Despite XRP trading roughly 50% below its all-time high, Kendrick identifies these factors as primary catalysts for the anticipated revaluation. The bank's analysis suggests that the resolution of long-standing regulatory uncertainties, particularly in key markets like the United States, is unlocking pent-up institutional demand. This sentiment is corroborated by tangible market data, including reported inflows of $1.15 billion into spot XRP Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) products, signaling a concrete move by professional investors to gain exposure. Standard Chartered's outlook positions XRP not merely as a retail-focused cryptocurrency but as an asset poised for integration into broader institutional portfolios. The forecast implies a fundamental reassessment of XRP's utility and value proposition, especially its role in cross-border payments and settlements, as financial institutions seek efficient, blockchain-based solutions. As of 2026, this projection places XRP at the forefront of the convergence between traditional banking and digital asset innovation, marking a potential new chapter in its market trajectory driven by sophisticated capital and clearer operational frameworks.

Standard Chartered Predicts XRP Rally to $8 by 2026 on Institutional Demand

Standard Chartered Bank has turned bullish on Ripple's XRP, forecasting a 330% surge to $8 by 2026. Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research, cites structural shifts—regulatory clarity and institutional inflows—as catalysts, despite XRP trading 50% below its all-time high.

The projection aligns with growing institutional interest, evidenced by $1.15 billion in spot XRP ETF inflows since November. Kendrick emphasizes this isn’t speculative HYPE but a recognition of XRP’s maturation beyond legal overhangs.

Stablecoins Emerge as Global Settlement Layer as Ripple's RLUSD Marks First Anniversary

Stablecoins are undergoing a fundamental transformation—from crypto trading pairs to core infrastructure for global finance. Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin celebrates its first year amid a sector-wide shift, with annual settlement volumes projected to hit $28-$30 trillion in 2025, surpassing many traditional payment networks.

The Middle East and Africa lead adoption, with Ripple's Reece Merrick noting stablecoins now process 30% of all on-chain transactions, up from 20% in prior years. Over 10 million daily active wallet addresses signal broadening use cases: cross-border payments, treasury management, and institutional settlements now drive demand alongside trading.

Key advantages—24/7 availability, near-instant settlement, and lower costs—are challenging legacy banking rails. This inflection point mirrors the early internet's commercialization phase, where protocols evolved from niche tools to mainstream infrastructure.

Tokenized RWA Value on XRP Surges 2200% in 2025

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) has witnessed explosive growth in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, with on-chain data revealing a staggering 2,200% increase in tokenized RWA value during 2025. This development positions XRPL as a major beneficiary of the RWA tokenization trend championed by financial heavyweights like BlackRock CEO Larry Fink and SEC Chair Paul Atkins.

The RWA tokenization narrative has dominated crypto discourse throughout the year, sparking intense discussions across multiple blockchain communities. XRP's remarkable performance in this sector underscores the growing institutional interest in blockchain-based asset representation.

XRP Surges as Ripple's Business Model Draws Optimistic Assessments

Ripple's XRP is leading a crypto market resurgence, fueled by bullish analyst commentary and renewed institutional interest. Santiago R. Santos, a prominent cryptocurrency strategist, posits XRP could challenge Ethereum's dominance during the next market cycle, citing Ripple's resilient revenue models and corporate strategy as key differentiators.

The altcoin trades between $1.80-$1.88—less than half its January 2018 peak of $3.84—with analysts noting its $188 billion fully diluted valuation leaves room for significant upside. Market observers attribute the momentum to Ripple's positioning amid broader crypto market turbulence, with 2026 projected as a potential inflection year.

XRP Faces Bearish Pressure Despite ETF Inflows as Network Activity Cools

XRP's price action remains constrained within a consolidating crypto market, with Bitcoin and ethereum similarly range-bound ahead of December's close. Despite positive ETF-related inflows, on-chain metrics and derivatives positioning suggest growing downside risks.

Network activity on the XRP Ledger shows concerning declines, with daily active addresses dropping to approximately 19,000—a signal of waning organic demand. This contraction historically precedes price weakness, as diminished participation reduces the market's capacity to absorb selling pressure.

Technical indicators compound the bearish case. The token has failed to hold its previous consolidation range between $2.70 and $3.30, with derivatives markets reflecting eroding confidence. Analysts now watch critical support levels that, if broken, could accelerate declines toward the $1.00 psychological threshold by 2026.

Gemini Exchange Highlights XRP in Live TV Appearance

Gemini crypto exchange has entered the spotlight following an unexpected display of the number 589 XRP during a CBS News Bay Area segment. The broadcast, which covered Times Square's New Year's Eve celebrations, inadvertently showcased one of XRP's most recognizable symbols, sparking widespread discussion within the XRP community.

The incident underscores the growing cultural penetration of cryptocurrency symbols into mainstream media. Such organic appearances often fuel speculative interest and community engagement, reflecting digital assets' expanding influence beyond traditional financial markets.