XRP Forecast: Media Personality Targets 2026

What to Know:

• XRP’s price has underperformed expectations despite positive developments like the launch of spot XRP ETFs and significant inflows.
• The broader crypto market is navigating a complex macro environment with regulatory uncertainties and evolving market structures.
• Institutional interest in XRP is growing, but price action has not yet reflected this, raising questions about market timing and future potential.

XRP has faced challenges in meeting the optimistic price predictions of its proponents, despite positive developments such as the launch of spot XRP ETFs. While institutional inflows have been substantial, the token’s price has not responded as expected, leading to disappointment among some analysts. This situation highlights the complexities of crypto market dynamics, where fundamental strengths do not always translate into immediate price appreciation.

XRP’s Price Underperformance

Over the past month, XRP has declined by 16%, and since the beginning of the year, it has fallen by 9%. This contrasts sharply with the expectations of many in the XRP community, who had anticipated significant price appreciation, especially following positive news and developments around Ripple’s legal battles. The underperformance raises questions about the factors influencing XRP’s price beyond just fundamental or legal victories.

ETF Inflows and Market Reaction

The recent introduction of spot XRP ETFs in the U.S. market has led to substantial inflows, with cumulative net inflows reaching $1 billion. Typically, such inflows into a new ETF would be expected to drive up the price of the underlying asset due to increased demand. However, XRP has not experienced a corresponding price surge, suggesting that other market dynamics are at play. This could include profit-taking by early investors, broader market sentiment, or the unlocking of previously restricted XRP supply.

Expert Perspectives and Future Outlook

Despite the recent price struggles, some analysts remain optimistic about XRP’s long-term potential. One analyst, “Future XRP,” admits being wrong about short-term forecasts but maintains confidence in XRP’s fundamentals, drawing a parallel to oil as a commodity with real-world use cases. This perspective suggests that XRP’s value is tied to its utility and adoption, rather than short-term market speculation. Assertions for XRP in 2026 are coming in hot, with most pointing to a price recovery. A recent report predicts that XRP could hit $5 in 2026, citing four reasons for this outlook. Analyst Dr. Cat foresees an even stronger bullish outcome, projecting an upsurge to between $20 and $30 next year.

Commodity Comparison and Real-World Use Cases

Comparing XRP to oil, as “Future XRP” does, highlights the importance of real-world utility in driving long-term value. Just as the price of oil depends on demand and supply dynamics driven by its use in various industries, XRP’s value could be tied to its adoption in cross-border payments and other applications. The fact that companies are building around XRP suggests a growing ecosystem that could eventually translate into increased demand and price appreciation.

Here’s an important reminder for my $XRP community. $XRP is a commodity like oil. Just like there are many companies built around using oil, so too companies are building around $XRP. The price of oil does not rise or fall with good news from Exon Mobile. The price of oil is…

— Future XRP (@the5blairs) December 15, 2025

Managing Expectations and Market Realities

While optimism is common in the crypto market, it’s crucial to maintain realistic expectations. Analyst Vincent Scott has cautioned against unrealistic projections, particularly those promising extraordinary returns with minimal investment. The crypto market is inherently volatile, and while opportunities for significant gains exist, they also come with substantial risks. Institutional investors understand the importance of due diligence and risk management when allocating capital to digital assets.

In conclusion, XRP’s recent price action has not matched the enthusiasm surrounding ETF launches and institutional inflows. However, some analysts maintain a bullish long-term outlook based on XRP’s underlying technology and growing ecosystem. As with any investment, it’s essential to weigh potential opportunities against inherent risks and avoid unrealistic expectations. The long-term success of XRP will likely depend on its ability to establish itself as a valuable tool in the global financial system.

Related: XRP: Ripple CEO Responds to NYT Crypto Article

Source: Original article