XRP News Today: XRP Holds Above $3 Despite 20% Monthly Drop as ETFs and RLUSD Drive 2026 Optimism

Ripple’s XRP has shown resilience amid a $200 million sell-off by co-founder Chris Larsen, with the token holding above $3 despite a 20% monthly decline. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic, citing upcoming XRP ETF filings and the growth of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin as key drivers for potential price appreciation by 2026. Larsen has sold over 100 million XRP tokens but still retains 2.58 billion, signaling long-term confidence in the asset. The sell-off has raised concerns but has not derailed institutional interest, with 11 firms managing $240 billion in assets filing for XRP ETFs with the SEC [1].

Altcoin Daily, a crypto analysis firm, highlighted XRP’s utility in global finance, noting its ability to facilitate near-instant cross-border settlements for under a penny. The firm projected a price range of $5–$9 for XRP by 2026, contingent on Bitcoin’s performance. If Bitcoin reaches $150,000, 1,000 XRP could be worth $5,000, a 61% gain from its current value of $3,110. In a more bullish scenario where Bitcoin hits $250,000, XRP could climb to $9, valuing 1,000 XRP at $9,000 [2]. These forecasts align with broader sentiment that high-utility assets will outperform in the current bull cycle.

Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has emerged as a critical factor in XRP’s growth trajectory. Launched six months ago, RLUSD has surged over 600% to a $500 million market cap. While 83% of its usage currently occurs on Ethereum, transactions on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) use XRP as a bridge asset via auto-bridging. This process burns XRP with each trade, reducing supply and potentially increasing value over time. Analysts argue that as RLUSD transitions to XRPL, XRP holders will benefit from increased demand and reduced supply [3].

Institutional adoption is another key catalyst. Eleven major firms have filed for XRP ETFs, drawing comparisons to the 2024 Bitcoin ETF approval surge, which saw BTC’s price jump from $45,000 to over $123,000. Teucrium CEO Sal Gilbertie, whose XRP futures ETF launched in April, praised Ripple’s regulatory compliance and strategic approach, suggesting similar ETF approval could drive institutional inflows for XRP [1]. Regulatory progress, including Ripple’s resolution of its SEC lawsuit and 60+ global licenses, has further reduced uncertainty for investors [1].

Forecasts vary among analysts. CoinCodex predicts a narrower 2026 range of $3.36–$5.08, with an average target of $4.04 [4]. Meanwhile, some models project more aggressive gains, such as a $30 target from DeepSeek, though these are outliers compared to institutional consensus. AI-driven analyses also diverge, with ChatGPT and Gemini predicting $6–$9 versus DeepSeek’s $30 [6]. These discrepancies underscore the inherent volatility of crypto markets and the importance of macroeconomic factors like Bitcoin’s performance and ETF outcomes.

Despite these positive indicators, risks remain. XRP’s price is highly correlated with broader market sentiment and regulatory developments. While the asset’s utility in cross-border payments and stablecoin infrastructure strengthens its case, investors must remain cautious. Regulatory shifts, market corrections, or delays in ETF approvals could dampen growth. However, the convergence of institutional adoption, utility-driven demand, and favorable price correlations with Bitcoin positions XRP as a compelling long-term opportunity for those willing to navigate crypto’s volatility.

Sources:

[1] Thecryptobasic.com, [https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/07/26/heres-what-1000-xrp-could-be-worth-in-2026/](https://thecryptobasic.com/2025/07/26/heres-what-1000-xrp-could-be-worth-in-2026/)

[2] AInvest.com, [https://www.ainvest.com/news/xrp-news-today-ripple-xrp-2026-price-projections-reach-5-000-61-gain-bitcoin-hits-150-000-regulatory-progress-etf-filings-fuel-momentum-2507/](https://www.ainvest.com/news/xrp-news-today-ripple-xrp-2026-price-projections-reach-5-000-61-gain-bitcoin-hits-150-000-regulatory-progress-etf-filings-fuel-momentum-2507/)

[3] Coinedition.com, [https://coinedition.com/how-much-could-1000-xrp-be-worth-by-2026-altcoin-daily-weighs-in/](https://coinedition.com/how-much-could-1000-xrp-be-worth-by-2026-altcoin-daily-weighs-in/)

[4] CoinCodex, [https://coincodex.com/crypto/ripple/price-prediction/](https://coincodex.com/crypto/ripple/price-prediction/)

[6] BlockchainReporter.net, [https://blockchainreporter.net/we-asked-three-ais-to-predict-xrps-price-by-end-of-2026-one-forecast-will-surprise-you/](https://blockchainreporter.net/we-asked-three-ais-to-predict-xrps-price-by-end-of-2026-one-forecast-will-surprise-you/)