Key Points:
Standard Chartered predicts XRP
could reach $12.50 in 2028.
Analysts are optimistic about the approval of a spot XRP ETF.
Significant stablecoin growth could also boost XRP.
Standard Chartered thinks XRP can overtake Ethereum.
Ripple's XRP (XRP -0.06%) has had a momentous six months, soaring almost 350% since November. What's more, Standard Chartered thinks it can go even higher. Analyst Geoffrey Kendrick predicts that Ripple will reach $12.50 by the end of 2028 -- that's about a 450% upside from today's price.
In the near term, Kendrick thinks XRP can reach $5.50 (more than double the current price of about $2.19) before the end of this year. He cites three major catalysts for growth:
The potential approval of a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF)
XRP Ledger growth and increased stablecoin transactions
Ripple's settlement agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Read on to learn more about why so many investors are bullish on XRP -- as well as a note of caution.
Here's why XRP could soar:
One of the biggest reasons to be optimistic about XRP is that it's already operational, with uses in financial transactions and money transfers, especially internationally. Cryptocurrency investors can quickly become accustomed to high levels of uncertainty, as many projects don't have a lot of real-world utility. Even Bitcoin, the grandaddy of crypto, has several potential use cases, but it isn't yet clear how it might come into its own.
Before It Soars 450%, According to Standard Chartered
By Emma Newbery – Jun 1, 2025 at 5:00AM
Key Points
Standard Chartered predicts XRP could reach $12.50 in 2028.
Analysts are optimistic about the approval of a spot XRP ETF.
Significant stablecoin growth could also boost XRP.
Before You Buy More XRP, Read This ›
Standard Chartered thinks XRP can overtake Ethereum.
Ripple's XRP (XRP -0.06%) has had a momentous six months, soaring almost 350% since November. What's more, Standard Chartered thinks it can go even higher. Analyst Geoffrey Kendrick predicts that Ripple will reach $12.50 by the end of 2028 -- that's about a 450% upside from today's price.
In the near term, Kendrick thinks XRP can reach $5.50 (more than double the current price of about $2.19) before the end of this year. He cites three major catalysts for growth:
The potential approval of a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF)
XRP Ledger growth and increased stablecoin transactions
Ripple's settlement agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Read on to learn more about why so many investors are bullish on XRP -- as well as a note of caution.
Here's why XRP could soar:
One of the biggest reasons to be optimistic about XRP is that it's already operational, with uses in financial transactions and money transfers, especially internationally. Cryptocurrency investors can quickly become accustomed to high levels of uncertainty, as many projects don't have a lot of real-world utility. Even Bitcoin, the grandaddy of crypto, has several potential use cases, but it isn't yet clear how it might come into its own.
CRYPTO: XRP
Today's Change
(-0.06%) -US$0.00
Current Price
US$2.16
That makes Ripple Labs and XRP a rare patch of (relatively) solid ground. Ripple already has partnerships with a number of banks and institutions, though not all of them use XRP. It says there are more than 1,500 projects, including stablecoins, on its XRP Ledger, a business-focused blockchain. As Kendrick points out, that could be a key driver for growth, especially as stablecoin transaction volumes increase.
Ripple Labs is well placed to capitalize on the wider development of blockchain applications. The global blockchain market is predicted to expand to more than $300 billion by 2030, according to ResearchAndMarkets.com. That said, profits for Ripple's private shareholders won't necessarily equate to gains for XRP holders. The two are separate, and the company could grow without necessarily increasing the value of the token.
The icing on the cake would be SEC approval of a spot XRP ETF. The Standard Chartered note suggested it could lead to $4 billion to $8 billion in inflows in the first year. However, while the current crypto-friendly SEC may well approve the ETF, it hasn't happened yet. In fact, the SEC just kicked the can further down the road, saying it needed more time to consider the proposed WisdomTree XRP Fund.
The U.S. is closer than it's ever been to passing clear legislation that would give a regulatory framework for the burgeoning stablecoin industry. Citigroup's recently published Digital Dollars report projected that the stablecoin market could grow from $230 billion to between $500 billion and $3.7 trillion by 2030.
Not only does Ripple offer a low-cost and easy way to move money, particularly abroad, but it also helps companies and financial institutions that want to integrate blockchain technology into their businesses. That might be through tokenized assets, custodial solutions, or payment support. For example, this month, the Dubai Land Department launched a tokenized real estate project on an XRP Ledger-based platform called Prypco Mint.
Ripple Labs is well placed to capitalize on the wider development of blockchain applications. The global blockchain market is predicted to expand to more than $300 billion by 2030, according to ResearchAndMarkets.com. That said, profits for Ripple's private shareholders won't necessarily equate to gains for XRP holders. The two are separate, and the company could grow without necessarily increasing the value of the token.
The icing on the cake would be SEC approval of a spot XRP ETF. The Standard Chartered note suggested it could lead to $4 billion to $8 billion in inflows in the first year. However, while the current crypto-friendly SEC may well approve the ETF, it hasn't happened yet. In fact, the SEC just kicked the can further down the road, saying it needed more time to consider the proposed WisdomTree XRP Fund.
A lot of the good news is already priced in:
Standard Chartered projects XRP can grow considerably in just a few years, even overtaking Ethereum. Ripple and XRP are certainly a solid blockchain play, with tried and tested real-world use cases. But given that a lot of the good news is already priced in, that looks optimistic.
If you're looking to invest in the payment industry, consider companies like PayPal, Visa, or Mastercard. And if you want to put a small amount of crypto in your portfolio to hold for the long term, take a closer look at Bitcoin.
