XRP Could Climb to $8 by 2026 Amid ETF Inflows and Regulatory Clarity

Standard Chartered Bank forecasts XRP could climb to $8 by 2026, fueled by regulatory clarity and institutional adoption. XRP ETFs have drawn over $1.15 billion in inflows since late 2025. On-chain data show significant XRP movement off exchanges, hinting at a potential supply squeeze.

Price predictions for XRP highlight a potential 330% gain by 2026, driven by legal resolution with the SEC and ETF demand. XRP's current trading range near $1.85 reflects broader market dynamics and macroeconomic conditions. Analysts project $9–$13 as a possible long-term target, assuming favorable regulatory and macroeconomic developments.

ETF inflows have surpassed those of Solana and Ethereum in recent months, indicating growing institutional interest. XRP's regulatory clarity, coupled with its role in cross-border payments and the XRP Ledger's efficiency, supports this trend. Experts suggest these inflows may eventually translate into price appreciation similar to Bitcoin's trajectory post-2024 ETF launch.

Market analysts debate the impact of ETF activity on XRP liquidity. Some traders argue supply is tightening, citing reduced exchange-held balances. Others, however, highlight the fluid nature of XRP's supply and note that major exchanges still hold around 16 billion XRP. Validators stress that XRP holders can quickly move funds to exchanges, mitigating long-term supply shocks.

XRP ETF absorption may function as a long-term demand sink, reducing liquid supply and reshaping price discovery. Exchange-held XRP balances continue to contract, with ETFs removing significant quantities into institutional custody structures. This dynamic creates a one-directional supply shift, potentially influencing price formation by early 2026.

Despite ETF inflows and regulatory progress, XRP's price remains under pressure from weak altcoin sentiment and macroeconomic headwinds. Analysts expect sideways movement in the near term but note potential upside linked to ETF growth, Bitcoin stability, and macroeconomic improvements. Short-term price momentum alone is unlikely to drive major moves.

XRP's smaller market cap compared to Bitcoin makes it more susceptible to institutional allocations, offering higher volatility. A $500 million allocation could move XRP by 5–10% versus just 0.5% for Bitcoin. This dynamic creates an asymmetric upside for XRP in bull markets, though Bitcoin typically retains better value during downturns.

Regulatory clarity and expanding utility in cross-border payments distinguish XRP from Bitcoin's store-of-value role. XRP's legal resolution and ongoing ETF inflows support its real-world adoption, particularly through Ripple's RLUSD stablecoin and global payment network. These factors may drive XRP to outperform Bitcoin in growth phases.

Analysts suggest a supply squeeze could emerge by early 2026, given continued ETF absorption and shrinking exchange-held balances. This scenario may shift price formation away from speculative churn and toward liquidity mechanics. Institutional flows, custody constraints, and availability will increasingly dominate outcomes.