XRP is currently the third largest cryptocurrency in the world by market capitalization, valued at $193 billion, with a price of $3.25 (as of August 13). After years of legal battles, XRP enters a new phase, with regulatory hurdles removed and rising expectations regarding spot ETFs.

📈 XRP Price Forecast: From Caution to Optimism

According to Jeffrey Kendrick (Standard Chartered), XRP price forecasts for the coming years are very positive:

$8 by 2026 - a 146% increase from today

$10.40 by 2027 - a 220% increase

$12.50 by 2028 - a 285% increase

However, more conservative forecasts suggest that the global cryptocurrency market may reach $8.4 trillion by 2034 (with an average annual growth rate of 8%). If XRP continues to outperform the broader market (up 750% over the past three years compared to a 270% increase in the market as a whole), the price of XRP could double to $6.50 over the next three years.

1️⃣ Legal victory helps pave the way for growth

Ripple, the company behind the XRP Ledger, offers a faster and cheaper solution for cross-border payments compared to the traditional SWIFT system. This creates real demand for XRP.

Since 2020, Ripple has been sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for allegedly selling XRP as unregistered securities. In 2023, the court partially ruled in favor of the SEC, determining that transactions with institutional investors violate securities laws, forcing Ripple to pay a $125 million fine.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission initially sought to fine it $2 billion, but withdrew the lawsuit in early August 2025, officially ending the years-long case. This removal of legal risks may encourage more financial institutions to use Ripple payments, especially after Ripple recently integrated stablecoin into the XRP ecosystem.

2️⃣ Spot XRP ETF – "the key" to attracting new cash flows

There are currently at least eight applications submitted by investment fund managers (like Franklin Templeton) for approval from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a spot trading fund for Ripple (XRP). All applications are expected to be decided by October, and according to Eric Balchunas (Bloomberg), the chances of approval are 95%.

Spot ETFs allow investors easy access to XRP through traditional securities accounts, without the need to open a digital wallet or pay hefty transaction fees. This convenience could significantly boost demand for XRP from both individual and institutional investors.

The value of Bitcoin has increased by 160% since the approval of the spot trading ETF in January 2024, making the iShares Bitcoin Trust the fastest growing traded fund in history. While it is unlikely that the XRP exchange-traded fund will achieve massive growth like Bitcoin, a doubling of its price over three years is certainly plausible.

⚠️ Risk Disclaimer

Cryptocurrencies are volatile assets. The price of XRP has fallen by more than 30% from its peak three times over the past five years. Investors are advised to allocate a small amount (like 1% of their portfolio), and they may want to wait for approval of a spot trading fund for XRP before participating.

Conclude

With the removal of regulatory barriers, the ability to launch spot exchange-traded funds (ETFs) opens the door for new capital inflows, and XRP's strong position in cross-border payments presents a tremendous opportunity for growth. However, a prudent strategy is to take a cautious approach, allocate small amounts of capital, and closely monitor the approval process for ETFs.