Standard Chartered Models XRP at $8 by 2026—Breaking Down the 315% Upside Case

Core Viewpoint - Standard Chartered predicts that XRP could reach $8 by 2026, driven by regulatory clarity and the launch of spot XRP ETFs, which are expected to attract significant institutional investment [6][8]. Group 1: Price Predictions and Market Dynamics - XRP's current circulating supply is approximately 57 billion coins, and an influx of $5-10 billion into XRP ETFs could create a meaningful supply shock, potentially pushing prices towards the $8 target [2][3]. - Standard Chartered forecasts that spot ETF launches could attract $4-8 billion into XRP throughout 2026, with a roadmap suggesting prices of $5.50 in 2025, $8.00 in 2026, and $12.50 by 2028 [3][4]. - Achieving an $8 price would require XRP's market capitalization to reach about $456 billion, nearly quadrupling its current valuation of $107 billion, necessitating $349 billion in new value creation [7][17]. Group 2: Institutional Demand and Regulatory Clarity - The approval of several spot XRP ETFs by U.S. regulators in 2025 is a cornerstone of the bullish prediction, as these products facilitate easier access for institutional investors [4][8]. - The easing of regulatory uncertainty, particularly following the SEC's withdrawal of its appeal against Ripple Labs, is seen as a catalyst for increased adoption and investment in XRP [6][8]. Group 3: XRP's Utility and Market Position - The XRP Ledger's real-world use is growing, with over 300 banks and financial institutions across more than 45 countries partnering with RippleNet, some of which are already utilizing XRP for liquidity [9]. - Ripple has launched the Ripple USD (RLUSD) stablecoin, which has quickly gained a market cap of about $1.3 billion, indicating potential for increased demand for XRP as a bridge currency in cross-border payments [10]. Group 4: Challenges and Market Sentiment - Despite positive forecasts, XRP has underperformed, trading around $1.88 and down about 13% year-to-date, even after the SEC lawsuit resolution and significant ETF inflows [5][14]. - The competition from other blockchain networks and the need for RippleNet to capture a significant share of global bank transfers are critical for XRP's price appreciation [16][24].