XRP News Today: XRP Price Predictions: 38% Gain by 2026, $38 Long-Term Target

Ripple’s native token, XRP, is gaining traction as a long-term contender in the crypto market, with investors and analysts focusing on its potential to surge toward double digits by 2026. The legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has been a significant factor affecting XRP’s price trajectory, but with regulatory clarity improving, attention is shifting towards the asset’s fundamentals. XRP remains one of the fastest and most cost-efficient digital assets for cross-border transactions, a feature that has attracted over 300 banking and financial partnerships, including major institutions like Santander and PNC.

XRP’s consensus ledger structure allows for near-instant settlement times and minimal fees, making it an attractive option for financial institutions looking to modernize their cross-border payment systems. Unlike traditional proof-of-work assets such as Bitcoin, XRP’s practical use case as a bridge currency between fiat pairs continues to drive its appeal. This real-world utility is a key factor that could support sustained long-term growth, differentiating XRP from other cryptocurrencies that rely on community sentiment or narrative cycles.

Analysts are projecting a wide range of potential outcomes for XRP in 2026. Conservative estimates see the asset trading between $5 and $8, while more bullish scenarios put the upper target closer to $15. These predictions assume continued institutional adoption and a generally favorable macroeconomic climate. Key factors that could push XRP higher include full regulatory clearance or favorable legislation in major markets, further banking partnerships, expansion of RippleNet, growing use of XRP for liquidity provision, and renewed investor appetite in the broader crypto market. However, if adoption stagnates or macro conditions sour, XRP could remain range-bound or experience setbacks despite its technical advantages.

In August 2026, the price of XRP is predicted to start at $9.03, with a high of $11.20 and a low of $9.03, averaging around $9.93 for the month. This forecast suggests a relatively stable price range, indicating a potential period of consolidation for the cryptocurrency. Other analysts have provided different perspectives, with some predicting a near-term increase of 38%, potentially pushing the price to around $3.77. Additionally, according to an analyst's forecast, XRP is expected to reach $3.12 in 2026, $3.79 in 2030, $6.17 in 2040, and $10.05 in 2050, based on an annual growth rate of 5%. This long-term forecast indicates a steady increase in the value of XRP over the next few decades.

On-chain activity for XRP remains robust, with price forecasts targeting a range of $3 to $5 before the end of the year. This suggests that despite the volatility in the cryptocurrency market, XRP continues to attract investor interest and could see further price appreciation in the near term. In January 2026, the price of XRP is predicted to start at $4.7169, with a high of $5.2490 and a low of $4.5622, averaging around $4.8584. This forecast indicates a potential price increase from the current levels, further supporting the optimistic outlook for XRP.

The long-term price prediction for XRP is also influenced by factors such as whale activity and ETF demand. According to an analyst, the price of XRP could reach $38 in the long term, driven by significant purchases of 1.45 billion XRP by whales and strengthening ETF demand. This forecast highlights the potential for XRP to experience substantial price appreciation, particularly if regulatory clarity and market demand continue to support its growth. Many analysts expect XRP to rise to $4 to $8 next year, particularly if regulatory hurdles are cleared and Ripple expands its global payments network. This forecast suggests that XRP has the potential to experience significant price appreciation in the coming years, driven by regulatory developments and the expansion of Ripple's network. However, it is important to note that the cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and price predictions should be taken with caution.