Standard Chartered Says XRP Could Jump 330% by 2026 as ETFs and Regulation Align
XRP Price Outlook Gains Momentum as ETF Inflows and Regulatory Clarity Reshape the Market
XRP is once again at the center of investor attention after a major global bank issued one of the most bullish forecasts yet for the digital asset. According to a new outlook from Standard Chartered, XRP could rise to as high as $8 by 2026, implying a potential upside of more than 300% from current price levels near $1.85.
The forecast, delivered by Geoffrey Kendrick, Head of Digital Assets Research at Standard Chartered, reflects what the bank describes as a structural shift in XRP’s market position. Rather than short-term speculation, the prediction is based on two long-awaited catalysts that have now materialized: regulatory clarity in the United States and accelerating institutional demand through spot XRP exchange-traded funds.
While XRP’s price has yet to react dramatically, analysts argue that the foundation for a longer-term revaluation is being laid quietly beneath the surface.
Regulatory Resolution Removes a Critical Overhang
One of the most significant developments shaping XRP’s outlook is the resolution of the long-running legal battle between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The lawsuit, first filed in December 2020, cast a long shadow over XRP for nearly five years, limiting institutional participation and creating persistent uncertainty around the token’s legal status.
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| Source: CryptosRus Official |
That uncertainty was resolved in 2025, when the case reached its final settlement. The outcome confirmed that XRP is not classified as a security when traded on secondary markets. For institutional investors, this distinction is critical. It removes a key compliance barrier and allows regulated entities to engage with XRP without the legal ambiguity that previously discouraged participation.
Standard Chartered views this regulatory clarity as a turning point. With the legal question settled, XRP is no longer operating under a unique disadvantage compared to other major digital assets.
Spot XRP ETFs Introduce a New Demand Channel
The second pillar supporting the bullish forecast is the launch of spot XRP exchange-traded funds in the United States. These products began trading in late 2025 and quickly attracted substantial capital from institutional investors seeking regulated exposure to XRP.
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| Source: SoSo Value |
Data tracked by SoSoValue shows that spot XRP ETFs recorded approximately $1.14 billion in net inflows by December 26, with no single day of net outflows since launch. This consistency is particularly notable in a market environment where flows into other crypto ETFs have been more volatile.
According to Standard Chartered, the steady inflows signal growing confidence among asset managers and long-term investors. Unlike retail-driven rallies, ETF demand tends to reflect strategic allocations rather than short-term trading behavior.
Asset Managers Build Exposure to XRP
Several major asset managers moved quickly to launch XRP ETF products once regulatory approval was granted. Firms including 21Shares, Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, Grayscale, and Canary Capital collectively rolled out offerings starting in mid-November 2025.
Together, these products are estimated to hold between $1.2 billion and $1.25 billion in assets under management, a figure that continues to grow. In recent weeks, XRP ETFs have reportedly outperformed Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in terms of net flows, as both BTC and ETH products experienced periods of outflows during broader market consolidation.
Market analysts note that this divergence suggests investors may be rotating toward assets with clearer regulatory narratives and distinct use cases.
Why XRP’s Price Has Been Slow to Respond
Despite these positive developments, XRP’s market price has remained relatively subdued. The token continues to trade in a narrow range around $1.85 to $1.90 and has struggled to reclaim the $2 level. XRP is still down nearly 11% on a year-to-date basis and remains well below its mid-2025 highs near $3.50.
According to market strategists, several factors are contributing to this disconnect. Broader crypto market weakness has dampened risk appetite, while long-term holders have taken profits into strength following earlier rallies. Macroeconomic conditions, including tighter liquidity and cautious investor sentiment, have also weighed on short-term price action.
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| Source: CoinMarketCap |
Importantly, analysts emphasize that ETF inflows do not always translate into immediate price increases. Many ETF issuers source liquidity through over-the-counter transactions rather than open market purchases, gradually absorbing supply without causing visible price spikes on exchanges.
Institutional Demand Signals a Longer-Term Shift
From a longer-term perspective, Standard Chartered argues that XRP is entering a new phase of market maturity. Institutional flows, regulatory certainty, and expanding use cases are combining to reshape how the asset is perceived.
Historically, XRP’s price movements were closely tied to legal developments and speculative cycles. With those constraints easing, analysts believe valuation may increasingly reflect fundamentals such as network utility, transaction volume, and adoption within cross-border payment systems.
This transition mirrors patterns previously observed in other digital assets as they moved from retail-driven speculation toward institutional integration.
The Role of Utility and Global Partnerships
Beyond ETFs and regulation, XRP continues to benefit from its role within Ripple’s global payments network. RippleNet remains active across multiple regions, particularly in Asia, where financial institutions have shown continued interest in blockchain-based settlement solutions.
Standard Chartered notes that utility-driven adoption will be a critical factor in sustaining long-term price growth. Regulatory clarity alone may not be sufficient to drive XRP toward the $8 target. Instead, consistent usage, transaction growth, and real-world integration will determine whether the forecast can be realized.
Partnership expansion, especially in regions focused on improving cross-border payment efficiency, could strengthen XRP’s underlying demand profile over time.
Is an $8 XRP Price Realistic?
An $8 price target represents an ambitious projection, but analysts argue it is not without precedent in crypto markets. Achieving that level would require a combination of sustained ETF inflows, improving macro conditions, and continued progress in adoption.
Standard Chartered’s forecast assumes that ETF demand remains strong into 2026 and that XRP benefits from a broader recovery in digital asset markets. Under those conditions, a re-rating of XRP’s valuation could occur as institutional exposure deepens.
However, risks remain. XRP’s correlation with broader crypto market trends, particularly Bitcoin, means it is unlikely to move in isolation. Global economic uncertainty, shifts in regulatory policy outside the United States, and fluctuations in investor sentiment could all influence outcomes.
Market Consolidation May Be a Necessary Phase
Some analysts view the current price consolidation as a constructive development rather than a weakness. Extended periods of sideways movement often precede major trend shifts, particularly when accompanied by improving fundamentals.
If XRP continues to attract institutional capital while supply is gradually absorbed through ETF structures, the groundwork for a future breakout may be forming quietly.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the crypto market looks toward 2026, XRP stands at a crossroads. The legal battles that once defined its narrative have concluded, and regulated investment products are now expanding its investor base.
Whether XRP ultimately reaches Standard Chartered’s $8 target will depend on execution, adoption, and market conditions. What is increasingly clear, however, is that XRP is no longer constrained by the uncertainties that once limited its growth.
For investors and market watchers, the coming year may determine whether XRP’s new phase delivers on the promise suggested by institutional forecasts.
hokanews will continue to monitor developments related to XRP, ETF flows, and regulatory trends as the digital asset market evolves.
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