XRP forecast conversations are heating up as Aaron Arnold, founder of Altcoin Daily, recently explored what 1,000 XRP might be worth by 2026. In a tweet that sparked wide debate, Arnold shared a cautiously optimistic price target backed by several evolving fundamentals unique to Ripple’s ecosystem.

Renewed Confidence in XRP After Regulatory Clarity

Arnold admitted that he previously overlooked XRP due to legal uncertainties surrounding Ripple. However, his outlook has shifted following the conclusion of Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC. With that major hurdle cleared, Arnold sees XRP emerging as more than just another altcoin—it could become the go-to global bridge currency.

This new perspective has been shaped by Ripple’s alignment with regulatory norms and growing global traction. According to Arnold, XRP is now better positioned than ever to capitalize on upcoming bullish cycles.

Ripple’s RLUSD Stablecoin Pushing Momentum

One major catalyst in Arnold’s XRP forecast is Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD. Launched only eight months ago, RLUSD has already reached a market capitalization exceeding $686 million. This achievement makes it the second-fastest-growing stablecoin in 2025, trailing only BlackRock’s USDTB, as noted in a recent update.

Although RLUSD primarily operates on Ethereum for now, Arnold expects a transition to the XRP Ledger. The rationale? Institutions increasingly demand quicker and cheaper transaction rails. This shift could boost activity on the XRP Ledger and enhance the XRP burn rate, tightening supply over time and potentially impacting price positively.

What Could 1,000 XRP Be Worth?

Providing a price range based on macro crypto trends, Arnold laid out two scenarios for XRP’s growth relative to Bitcoin’s trajectory:

• If Bitcoin climbs to $150,000, XRP could cross $5—valuing 1,000 XRP at $5,000.
• If Bitcoin hits $250,000, XRP might reach $9—making 1,000 XRP worth $9,000.

For perspective, 1,000 XRP currently comes in at approximately $2,940—up from just $500 nine months ago. Arnold believes that cryptocurrencies offering tangible real-world utility, like XRP, are best positioned to benefit from Bitcoin’s upward cycles. Notably, the flagship crypto reached $124,450 earlier this month—indicating a supportive macro environment.

Institutional Demand and the XRP ETF Impact

Another layer of support for Arnold’s forecast is the growing interest in a potential XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF). Eleven entities with a collective $240 billion in assets are now pursuing XRP ETF applications. Arnold likened this to the impact Bitcoin’s ETF approval had—catapulting BTC prices from $45,000 to over $100,000 in 2024.

Though some community members believe XRP could surpass $20 in the same timeframe, Arnold’s $9 target comes across as more measured. Nevertheless, ETF-related inflows could still amplify XRP’s market performance and help it achieve higher valuation brackets.

Ripple’s Global Compliance Strategy and Expansion

In discussing the broader ecosystem, Arnold praised Ripple’s global regulatory roadmap. To date, the company has secured over 60 licenses, enhancing its legitimacy and appeal to institutional partners.

He also referenced Teucrium CEO Sal Gilbertie, who characterized Ripple’s operational model as cautious yet strategic—on par with traditional investment banks. Teucrium recently introduced an XRP futures ETF in anticipation of what Gilbertie believes could be Ripple’s eventual replacement of the SWIFT network.

Taken together, Arnold argues that XRP’s increasing relevance as a payment bridge, the demand momentum from ETFs, and the rise of RLUSD are setting the stage for a significant revaluation of the asset by 2026.

Related: XRP Price: $12M Max Pain for Bears

Blockchain-powered payment systems are at the core of XRP’s evolving use case.