XRP Ripple: Latest News & Price Predictions!

Navigating the current landscape of XRP (Ripple) feels like stepping into a dynamic mosaic—where legal milestones, institutional moves, and speculative forecasts intersect unpredictably. It’s not just about price charts—it’s about narratives unfolding. This discussion attempts to weave together the threads of XRP’s latest news, key developments around Ripple, and analyst-driven price predictions, while letting you in on the beautiful chaos of crypto storytelling—with a few small narrative tangents and imperfect flow included. Let’s get into it.

Ripple Gains Legal Clarity and Institutional Traction

It’s kinda refreshing to say: finally, the SEC saga is easing. Back in March 2025, Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse publicly announced the SEC dropped its appeal in the long-running lawsuit—ushering in a wave of optimism across the crypto markets. XRP rose more than 8–10% on the news, trading around $2.50 shortly thereafter . That legal clarity hasn’t just lightened the air for XRP; it’s ignited renewed institutional interest.

Ripple didn’t stop at legal wins. The company moved boldly—announcing a planned acquisition of prime brokerage Hidden Road for around $1.25 billion, aimed at bolstering its institutional infrastructure and integrating key post-trade functions into the XRP Ledger . This represents more than just a merger: it’s Ripple positioning XRP as a credible utility for global payments, bridging the gap between digital assets and traditional finance.

AI and Institutional Models Forecast Divergent Paths

Alright, now comes the part where things get a bit wild. Different models paint radically different futures for XRP in 2026. Here’s what we’re looking at:

• ChatGPT (AI model) suggests a modest baseline of around $0.80–$3, with an upside to about $4.40 by Q1 2026 . In more optimistic scenarios tied to ETF inflows north of $10 billion, it nudges into the $6–$8 range—but treats that as stretch territory .

• Standard Chartered (institutional) goes big—$8 by end-2026, or even $10–$12 by 2027–2028 if tailwinds hold .

• Other AI thinkers vary: Claude sees $4–$14 (if a banking adoption wave hits), Grok peaks at $10 (in optimal conditions), Perplexity comes in around $9 .

• Models rooted in technical analysis or moderate projections estimate XRP between $5 and $7—DigitalCoinPrice sits near $5.25 average, Cryptopolitan sees $6.20 average (high near $6.95), while others stay conservative around $2.50–$3.30 .

What’s Fueling These Forecasts?

Multiple catalysts, often overlapping:

• ETF inflows remain central. Across the board, models agree that sustained demand into XRP ETFs—especially if they hit $5–$10 billion—could drastically reduce circulating supply and push prices sharply upward .

• Utility adoption matters. Whether through RippleNet’s On-Demand Liquidity, RLUSD stablecoin, or institutional use cases, real-world demand matters more than hype .

• Macro and regulatory environment. Lower interest rates and supportive policy—particularly in the U.S.—could coax cautious institutions into crypto allocation .

Near-Term Outlook: February 2026 Specifically

Zooming into February, several AI models forecast consolidation rather than breakout:

• Claude projects a likely range of $1.40–$1.90, with $1.50 acting as key support .
• Perplexity anticipates mid-month dip around $1.45–$1.55, potentially rebounding to $1.70–$1.90 by month-end .
• Grok signals a decision phase—$1.25–$1.45 downside risk if support breaks, resistance near $2 if volume picks up .

Overall, February appears quiet—holding zone for XRP until catalysts return.

Structural Supply Shifts: Scarcity Building

Here’s a fascinating story simmering under the surface: XRP’s liquid supply is shrinking. On‑chain data shows exchange-held XRP dropping from 3.7 billion to ~1.6 billion over the past year, primarily driven by ETF absorption and institutional lockups . That means the price is now reacting more to scarce available supply—a structural shift that could cause dramatic repricing when demand ramps up.

This evokes the concept of “functional scarcity”: the token remains plentiful on paper, but the available float is thinning fast, especially as XRP shifts from tradable token to settlement utility. That dynamic could amplify any upward price move far more than traditional models suggest.

Expert Commentary

“XRP is uniquely positioned at the heart of one of the fastest‑growing uses for digital assets: cross‑border and multi‑currency payments.”
— Geoffrey Kendrick, Standard Chartered

This captures the essence. Legal clarity, growing institutional access, and structural scarcity could converge to make XRP not just another altcoin, but a banking infrastructure layer.

Conclusion

In the end, XRP presents a multi-faceted story: post-litigation clarity, institutional expansion (Hidden Road, RLUSD), and rising ETF demand are building a foundation. Models range wildly—from cautious low-single digits to hyper-bullish double digits. February 2026 seems to be a wait-and-see moment, while structural scarcity and adoption trends set the stage for what could be a major revaluation.

Next steps? Track ETF inflows, adoption metrics, and exchange balances. If institutional demand continues and liquid supply thins, even models once dismissed may gain credibility—and narrative may become reality.

FAQs

What impact did the SEC dropping its appeal have on XRP?
After the SEC withdrew its appeal in March 2025, XRP gained roughly 8–10% in value due to improved legal clarity that renewed investor confidence .

What are the most optimistic and conservative price forecasts for XRP in 2026?
Optimistic forecasts (e.g., Claude, Grok, Standard Chartered) place XRP as high as $8–$14 given strong ETF inflows and broader adoption. Conservative models suggest a range between $2–$5, with moderate scenarios around mid-single digits .

Why is shrinking liquid supply important for XRP’s price?
Liquid supply of XRP has declined significantly—from 3.7B to around 1.6B—due to institutional holders and ETF redemptions. This scarcity increases price sensitivity to demand spikes .

What are the short-term expectations for XRP in February 2026?
Models such as Claude, Perplexity, and Grok suggest consolidation in February, with price likely trading between $1.40 and $1.90, barring macro catalyst or spike in volume .

How could Ripple’s Hidden Road acquisition influence XRP?
Ripple’s planned $1.25 billion takeover of Hidden Road aims to integrate institutional post-trade systems into the XRP ledger—boosting crypto’s credibility as a backbone for traditional finance .

What are the main factors that could drive XRP’s price higher in 2026?
Key drivers include sustained ETF inflows, broader adoption via RippleNet and RLUSD, macroeconomic tailwinds, and structural scarcity diminishing available supply—all combining to elevate long-term demand.