Leading financial institution Standard Chartered has issued a notably bullish outlook on XRP, projecting a potential 330% upside by 2026. This forecast positions the token among the bank’s top digital asset picks for the coming year, marking a notable shift in sentiment surrounding the token.
Standard Chartered’s Bullish Thesis
Geoffrey Kendrick, the global head of digital asset research at Standard Chartered, revealed one of the most bullish projected prices for XRP in 2026.
According to Kendrick, XRP could rally about 330% from its current price of $1.86 to around $8, driven by improving regulatory clarity and rising institutional adoption.
The prediction comes over a month after the U.S. SEC approved the launch of multiple spot XRP ETFs in the United States. Since their debut, XRP ETFs have yet to record a single outflow exceeding $1 billion in AuM in just weeks of trading.
According to data from on-chain analysis platform SoSoValue, as of December 29, 2025, XRP ETFs have accumulated a total net inflow of $1.15 billion. Aside from the growing demand for spot XRP ETFs, the token has seen renewed interest from institutional clients who were previously wary of regulatory risk, following the Second Circuit’s decision to dismiss the Ripple appeal in August 2024.
This clearer legal standing could open the door for broader adoption across banking and remittance networks, particularly in emerging markets where Ripple already has a strong footprint.
Why 2026 Could Be a Breakout Year
Interestingly, several top crypto executives are optimistic that 2026 will be a significant year for the crypto market, and XRP could benefit from this potential rally.
Further, Ripple’s growing partnerships with financial institutions and payment providers are another factor that could propel the token to new highs in the coming year. Interestingly, the US OCC recently granted Ripple partial approval to charter the Ripple National Trust Bank, which will allow the firm to operate like a traditional bank.
Meanwhile, XRP’s comparatively low transaction fees and energy-efficient consensus mechanism could also be an added advantage amid growing scrutiny of blockchain sustainability. This could lead to increased on-chain activity, higher transaction volumes, and the potential approval of additional cryptocurrency investment products.
Furthermore, the expansion of tokenized assets and stablecoin settlement on the XRP Ledger could drive additional utility beyond payments.
XRP Price Action and Market Reaction
Despite the bullish outlook, XRP’s near-term price action has shown that the token has succumbed to the market-wide bearish pressure. According to data from CoinMarketCap, XRP is trading significantly below its all-time high, currently trading at around $1.86. However, analysts note that the token has managed to hold key support levels around $1.82, suggesting accumulation by long-term holders.
Market participants are now awaiting confirmation through increased trading volume and a decisive breakout above major resistance zones in the $1.92 region. A sustained move higher, coupled with improving market sentiment, could validate Standard Chartered’s forecast over time.
The CoinRemark Team
