Top Global Bank Predicts XRP Price for 2026 With 4x Upside

• Standard Chartered predicts XRP could reach $8 by 2026. 
• The bank’s bullish outlook is driven by regulatory clarity and the rise of spot XRP ETFs. 
• Institutional interest is expected to increase as XRP transitions from a legal risk to a financial asset.

Standard Chartered has released optimistic XRP price predictions, forecasting a significant surge for the cryptocurrency by 2026. The bank’s bullish outlook is fueled by regulatory clarity and the popularity of spot XRP ETFs. A

Standard Chartered Predicts 4X Upside for XRP

Geoffrey Kendrick, Global Head of Crypto Assets Research at Standard Chartered, has set a price target of $8 for XRP by 2026. With XRP currently priced around $1.85, this forecast suggests a potential upside of 4X. 

One of the key factors behind the positive outlook is the resolution of Ripple’s long-running legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This case, which began in December 2020, centered on whether XRP should be classified as a security. Ripple argued that XRP functions as a digital currency, used for fast, low-cost cross-border payments.

Related: XRP is Attracting Inflows While Market Products Bleed: A Comeback Rally Next?

The Ripple-SEC Case

In July 2023, a U.S. court ruled that XRP’s sales on exchanges were not securities transactions, though sales to institutional investors were deemed to violate securities laws. Ripple was fined $125 million in August 2024, marking the conclusion of the case. However, Ripple and the SEC both appealed the ruling.

By August 2025, following a change in U.S. government leadership and the appointment of a new SEC chair, the legal battle came to an end. Both parties dropped their appeals, removing a significant hurdle that had kept XRP’s price in check for years. 

While the price has not experienced a major surge since the legal resolution, many believe a substantial rally is imminent, especially with the anticipated passage of the Clarity Act in 2026.

Spot XRP ETFs Gain Momentum in the U.S.

With the legal battle behind it, spot XRP ETFs quickly gained traction in the U.S. market. Asset managers such as Canary, Franklin Templeton, 21Shares, Grayscale, and Bitwise launched XRP products, offering institutional investors a regulated way to gain exposure to the token.

According to on-chain analytics platform SoSoValue, spot XRP ETFs have seen $1.15 billion in net inflows as of December 29. In the latest market updates, these ETFs recorded $8.44 million in new investments. 

Total assets under management for XRP ETFs have reached $1.24 billion, and many industry leaders believe this is just the beginning. The momentum could accelerate significantly in 2026, further boosting XRP’s outlook.

XRP’s Price Potential Heading into 2026

Standard Chartered attributes XRP’s improved long-term prospects to the growing adoption of spot XRP ETFs and the increasing regulatory clarity. With XRP increasingly seen as a financial asset rather than a legal liability, the bank expects institutional participation to help drive its value higher over time.

If Geoffrey Kendrick’s forecast holds, XRP could reach $8 by 2026, giving the token a market capitalization of nearly half a trillion dollars. The bank believes this could set the stage for XRP to push into double-digit prices, with a potential price target of $10.50 by 2027 and $12.50 by 2028.