XRP price forecast projections from Standard Chartered suggest a dramatic climb over the next three years, with the token potentially surpassing the $12 mark by 2028. As XRP currently trades at $3.05, this marks a potentially massive opportunity for long-term investors eyeing the crypto’s growth trajectory.
Standard Chartered’s Projected Path for XRP
Geoffrey Kendrick, a leading researcher at Standard Chartered, has outlined an ambitious growth path for XRP over the coming years. According to his analysis, the cryptocurrency could reach:
- $5.50 by the end of 2025
- $8.00 by 2026
- $10.40 by 2027
- $12.50 by the close of 2028
These targets represent a projected gain of over 300% from XRP’s current market value. With XRP steadily gaining momentum, Kendrick even speculates that it could challenge Ethereum’s position as the second-largest cryptocurrency within four years, assuming these projections hold true.
Projected XRP value trajectory through 2028 as forecasted by Standard Chartered.
Could XRP Overtake Ethereum?
Though Ethereum currently boasts a market cap of $573 billion compared to XRP’s $182 billion, Kendrick believes XRP could potentially surpass it. Should XRP rise to $12.50, its projected market cap could hit $743 billion, placing it above Ethereum’s current position. However, Ethereum’s value is also expected to grow, possibly exceeding $6,500 by 2028, which would keep its market cap competitive.
According to Kendrick, the contest between these two blockchain giants may intensify significantly over the next few years.
Market Catalysts Behind XRP’s Rise
Several factors could drive XRP’s projected growth. A major catalyst includes the potential approval of a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) by October. If approved, Standard Chartered estimates this could bring in $4–8 billion in capital inflows within the first year of trading.
Another key development is the favorable conclusion of Ripple’s long-running case with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The case ended with a $125 million settlement and no additional appeals, reducing regulatory uncertainty around the token.
Importantly, XRP remains a strong player in the cross-border payments market. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) provides fast, low-fee transactions—promoting it as a modern alternative to older systems like SWIFT. Ripple also continues expanding its ecosystem, including ventures into stablecoins like RLUSD and tokenized asset services, which could further strengthen XRP’s position in global finance.
Challenges to Consider
Kendrick does not shy away from the challenges XRP might face despite the optimistic projection. The platform’s low-fee design may limit the amount of value extracted and redistributed to developers and stakeholders. Moreover, compared to ecosystems like Ethereum and Solana, XRP has a smaller developer base, which could slow innovation.
Increased competition also looms. Stablecoins, other crypto assets, and CBDCs might provide viable alternatives for international settlements, potentially slicing into XRP’s market share.
Still, with growing institutional interest, regulatory clarity, and the possibility of significant ETF exposure, these hurdles might be outweighed by broader adoption trends.
The Bitcoin Effect
Kendrick’s vision for the crypto landscape doesn’t stop with XRP. He also predicts Bitcoin could hit $500,000 by 2029, setting the stage for a thriving digital asset market. In such a bullish environment, altcoins like XRP often ride Bitcoin’s momentum. A surge for Bitcoin could mean increased attention and capital flows into XRP and similar assets, propelling their valuations even further.
Whether XRP can reach $12.50 or challenge Ethereum’s status remains to be seen. Yet the projection from Standard Chartered adds significant weight to the belief that XRP has a formidable role to play in the crypto future.
