XRP trades near $1.88 as markets head into 2026, and investors debate its value. According to CoinGecko, the token’s price sits below recent highs amid renewed questions about real-world use.
Standard Chartered analyst Geoffrey Kendrick projects a potential $8 price by 2026 using ETF flow and regulatory models. The forecast contrasts with concerns about large escrow holdings and scheduled quarterly token unlocks.
Banks have deployed Ripple’s payment technology widely but often avoid using XRP for settlement. Many institutions prefer stablecoins like USDC and USDT for dollar stability instead of exposing themselves to token volatility.
The recent legal resolution with the SEC removed uncertainty for some investors, yet price action fell 47% from a $3.65 peak. Traders cite bearish technical signals and fading hype when on-chain activity fails to match price moves (Ed. note: escrow releases remain a key market concern).
Monte Carlo models assign a 60% chance that XRP trades between $1.04 and $3.40 by December 2026, with a current median near $1.88. ETF inflows have supported sentiment, but adoption metrics show limited token usage in many pilot projects.
Future price direction will depend on whether partners move from testing to widespread XRP settlement. If real-world XRP flows increase, analysts say adoption could validate current bullish forecasts.
