XRP News Today: ETF-Driven Supply Crunch Could Send XRP to $225, Top Analyst Predicts

The launch of XRP-focused exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is sparking bullish predictions for the cryptocurrency, with top analyst Chad Steingraber forecasting a significant price surge driven by institutional adoption and regulatory clarity. Steingraber, a prominent voice in the crypto space, argues that XRP ETFs are poised to amplify the token's utility and liquidity, creating conditions for a major price rally. His analysis, detailed in a recent report, highlights how small intraday gains-often $0.10–$0.20 per trading session-can compound over time, attracting both retail and institutional investors and stabilizing XRP's market dynamics.

During trading hours, XRP's price typically rises modestly, giving ETFs a short-term performance boost that draws new capital. While prices may dip after hours, the cyclical pattern reinforces long-term momentum. This dynamic is amplified by the launch of regulated XRP ETFs in the U.S., including products from Canary Capital, Franklin Templeton, and Grayscale, which offer transparent and accessible exposure to the fourth-largest cryptocurrency. Franklin Templeton's XRPZ ETF, for instance, debuted on NYSE Arca with a 0.2% annual fee and $5 billion in fee waivers until May 2026, positioning it as a competitive option for institutional investors.

Steingraber's projections extend beyond stabilization. He models a potential 100-fold price increase, pushing XRP to $225 per token, driven by supply-demand imbalances. Under conservative assumptions of $33.6 billion in annual ETF inflows, he calculates that ETFs could absorb nearly 27.5 billion XRP within six months, drastically reducing the circulating supply. At $225, annual demand would shrink to fewer than 150 million tokens, creating upward pressure on price. This scenario mirrors Bitcoin's ETF-driven rally, where institutional inflows correlated with price surges. Steingraber notes that XRP's utility in cross-border payments and low-energy blockchain infrastructure further strengthens its appeal to asset managers.

The market has already shown early signs of ETF-driven momentum. Canary Capital's XRPC ETF raised $329 million in its first eight days, while Bitwise's offering secured $168 million. Franklin Templeton's XRPZ saw 768,692 shares traded on its debut, with XRP itself rising 8.25%. These inflows are not limited to U.S. markets; Grayscale's GXRP and Franklin's XRPZ compete with existing products, signaling growing institutional confidence. Steingraber emphasizes that XRP's price must rise to slow rapid ETF accumulation, as low prices would allow asset managers to acquire large quantities quickly, destabilizing the market.

The SEC's August 2025 settlement with Ripple Labs resolved a prolonged legal dispute, enabling ETF launches and restoring XRP's presence on major exchanges. Franklin Templeton's David Mann noted that XRPZ provides "regulated custody, daily transparency, and liquidity without the operational complexity of holding the token directly," aligning with institutional demands for compliance and efficiency.

While short-term volatility persists-XRP recently dipped 1.8% in 24 hours-Steingraber argues that structural forces will dominate. ETF inflows, he contends, are reshaping XRP's supply dynamics, with price appreciation acting as a natural brake on rapid accumulation. As ETFs gain traction, XRP's role in global finance could expand, cementing its status as a key liquidity asset.