Surprising Prediction for XRP (Ripple) in 2026
Investors were thrilled with the positive outcomes last year when Ripple, a payment company, settled its prolonged legal dispute with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The settlement led to a significant increase in the value of Ripple’s XRP cryptocurrency, reaching a seven-year high, only to be followed by a sharp decline, now standing about 50% lower from that peak. Last July, the token reached $3.65 per unit, the highest price noted since 2018. The optimism arose from the resolution of a five-year legal battle between Ripple and the SEC. This lawsuit filed in 2020 accused Ripple of violating financial securities laws, casting uncertainty over the company’s operations and subsequently affecting XRP’s value. The settlement was part of a broader push for crypto-friendliness under President Donald Trump’s administration, intended to foster innovation within the industry.
Despite the initial positive impact of the settlement on XRP’s price, the token has since experienced a significant decrease. The settlement did not address some fundamental issues within the token’s structure, potentially limiting its growth moving forward. The prediction regarding XRP’s position by the end of 2026 is a subject of focus.
Ripple introduced Ripple Payments, a global payment network, designed to facilitate instant cross-border transactions among banks without the need for intermediaries, enhancing transaction speeds and reducing costs. Traditionally, banks engaging in international transfers would convert their currency into the recipient’s, often incurring fees as high as 4.85%. XRP functions as a bridge currency within Ripple Payments, allowing banks to make transfers with a minimal fee of 0.00001 coins. While the concept suggests a positive outlook for XRP’s value with increased adoption of Ripple Payments, there are challenges to consider. Banks using Ripple Payments can opt for fiat currencies instead of XRP for instant transfers, reducing the direct correlation between the platform’s adoption and XRP’s value. Moreover, bridge currencies like XRP are typically held briefly before being converted, limiting sustained demand. Adding to the complexity, Ripple launched a stablecoin in 2024 named Ripple USD (RLUSD), offering stability with minimal volatility compared to XRP, which is constantly fluctuating, potentially leading to losses for banks engaged in brief holding periods.
Examining historical trends and structural issues, the forecast is cautiously pessimistic for XRP in 2026. Following a significant drop post its peak in 2018, XRP has already lost a considerable percentage of its value, with ongoing factors likely to further impact its performance. Despite the growth and diversification of the cryptocurrency industry and Ripple Payments since 2018, the sector, including major coins like Bitcoin, has faced overall market declines, affecting investor sentiment towards cryptocurrencies in general. Considering these aspects, the outlook for XRP in the immediate future appears challenging.
