As 2026 begins, XRP is positioned for potential value appreciation. This outlook is supported by the launch of spot exchange-traded funds, the rollout of a brand new stablecoin, and increasing tokenization capabilities on its ledger.
That upside, nonetheless, isn’t assured. XRP’s efficiency will rely upon sustained regulatory readability in the US and whether or not investor demand for XRP-linked merchandise stays sturdy sufficient to outweigh rising competitors.
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How XRP ETFs Reshaped Demand
A current report by asset supervisor 21Shares predicted that XRP has a 30% probability of reaching $2.69 in 2026, a situation it described as the bull case.
This prediction hinged on a number of profitable milestones that XRP and, extra usually, Ripple, have achieved in 2025.
Following the August 2025 conclusion of a multi-year Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) litigation that successfully lifted a authorized cloud from the asset’s head, XRP reopened to the general public, unlocking entry to US-based establishments, banks, and fee corporations.
Solely after that authorized readability was established did US XRP spot ETFs obtain SEC approval.
Based on Matt Mena, a crypto researcher at 21Shares, this launch basically rewrote the asset’s demand profile. Inside a month of launching, these ETFs amassed over $1.3 billion in belongings underneath administration.
“A key indisputable fact that many don’t notice is that the XRP ETFs set a world-record, they maintain the document for the most important consecutive interval of web inflows no matter asset class, that means beating out shares, commodities, bonds, and even Bitcoin – with over 50-days of consecutive web inflows,” Mena advised BeInCrypto, including, “This is an insane reality and exhibits simply how sturdy the XRP ETF inflows hae been post-launch.”
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In addition to its ETF, XRP has seen different product launches which have served as a catalyst for development.
XRPL Positions For Tokenized Finance
By 2030, 21Shares estimated that international finance will function on hybrid rails that seamlessly mix tokenized financial institution deposits, regulated fiat-backed stablecoins, and interoperable settlement layers.
In opposition to the backdrop of a tokenizing international monetary system, Mena described the XRP Ledger (XRPL) as a impartial settlement layer bridging liquidity, velocity, and compliance.
Current exercise on the community has more and more targeted on its programmable infrastructure. This permits establishments to situation and handle complicated real-world assets (RWAs), comparable to bonds and equities.
In the meantime, the efficiency of XRP’s stablecoin, RLUSD, as a liquidity vehicle has strengthened 21Shares’ view that XRP has additional upside potential, supplied adoption continues to scale.
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The report highlighted RLUSD’s speedy growth, with its market capitalization rising by roughly 1,800% from $72 million to $1.38 billion in underneath a 12 months. This development has made the stablecoin a potential supply of collateral for giant establishments and superior monetary use instances.
Regardless of current good points, the asset continues to face sturdy competition from other established networks. Reaching the bullish situation will rely upon its means to keep up investor demand amid that stress.
Draw back Situations And Aggressive Pressures
Demand erosion for XRP ETFs, failure to draw vital RWA quantity to the XRPL, and foundering RLUSD adoption may produce totally different value eventualities for the asset.
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Past its bullish outlook, 21Shares additionally outlined different eventualities based mostly on various market and adoption outcomes. It assigned a 50% chance to a base case in which regulatory stability helps regular ETF inflows and gradual utility development, inserting XRP round $2.45.
In distinction, the report estimated a -16% chance of a bearish situation, with XRP falling towards $1.60. This final result assumes stagnant adoption and capital rotating into competing belongings.
Past the chance of weakening demand, XRP should additionally cope with intensifying competitors. Networks comparable to Canton and Solana, amongst others, recorded vital development over the previous 12 months.
Canton, regardless of being stay for lower than two years, has already processed trillions of dollars in tokenized belongings.
Nevertheless, Mena appeared largely unconcerned by this aggressive stress. Whereas acknowledging the dimensions and momentum of rival networks, he pointed to XRP’s group as a key differentiator.
“The XRP Military is among the largest and most outspoken communities in crypto, and I’d argue that, except for Bitcoin and Dogecoin, it’s the token people who find themselves not concerned in crypto in any respect appear to acknowledge,” he stated.
For XRP, 2026 will take a look at whether or not that momentum can translate into sturdy worth.
