XRP is trading around $1.43 after reaching above $3 in 2025, fueling debate over its future trajectory. Analyst Geoffrey Kendrick of Standard Chartered Bank projects an $8 price target for 2026, citing regulatory clarity and new spot ETFs. Meanwhile, net inflows into U.S. XRP ETFs contrast with outflows seen in Bitcoin and Ethereum funds, suggesting diverging institutional interest as Ripple’s leadership discusses long-term adoption goals.
The cryptocurrency XRP is trading near $1.43, a significant pullback after surpassing $3 during 2025. This price action has prompted widespread discussion about its future direction and the sustainability of its bullish case.
Analyst Geoffrey Kendrick at Standard Chartered Bank has set a 2026 price target of $8 for XRP. He cited regulatory clarity and the recent approval of spot XRP ETFs as core drivers for this substantial potential gain.
Flow data appears to support a positive institutional outlook. According to CoinGecko, five U.S. spot XRP ETFs now hold a combined $1.06 billion in net assets, representing over 1% of XRP’s total market capitalization. These same ETFs posted net inflows last week while ETFs for Bitcoin and Ethereum experienced outflows.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently commented on the need for clear regulatory frameworks. “Let’s not let perfect be the enemy of good. No piece of legislation has ever been perfect by everyone’s standards. What we need is a clear framework, allowing innovation to flourish — exactly what Market Structure will deliver,” he stated.
Garlinghouse has also projected that the XRP blockchain will capture 14% of SWIFT’s transaction volume within five years. Analysts attribute XRP’s recent drop from its highs to broad risk-off sentiment and profit-taking within a dominant Bitcoin market season.
Analyst Alex Carchidi commented on the likelihood of XRP returning to the $3 level. “I think it’s more likely to happen than not, barring any major market hiccup,” he stated. Current 2026 price forecasts for XRP range between $1.81 and $5, with an average projection around $2.90.
