Prediction of XRP price in 2026 has attracted the attention of institutions. Now, Standard Chartered’s Jeffrey Kendrick predicts that the token could rise to $8 by the end of the year, in what many believe is a 330% surge. This forecast reflects the regulatory clarity that came in the wake of the SEC’s decision to drop its appeal against Ripple in August, combined with the Spot XRP ETF, which has accumulated approximately $1.14 billion in inflows as of late December. Morgan Stanley’s XRP Outlook identifies XRP as a potential “$1 trillion threat” to the SWIFT banking system, although it does not specify an exact target at this time. Standard Chartered’s XRP Forecast and Jeffrey Kendrick’s XRP Forecast show that institutional investor confidence is growing.
Institutional Forecasts, Regulatory Risks, and XRP’s 2026 Outlook
Jeffrey Kendrick’s Standard Charter Analysis
Geoffrey Kendrick’s XRP prediction is one of the most aggressive institutional predictions of the current cycle. Kendrick, global head of digital asset research at Standard Chartered Bank, has set a 2026 XRP price target of $8. His analysis focuses on two key developments finalized in 2025. The SEC has dropped its appeal against Ripple, and major institutions have approved spot XRP ETFs (including Franklin Templeton, Canary, 21Shares, Bitwise, and Grayscale).
All told, the Spot XRP ETF has attracted $1.14 billion in net inflows through December 26, according to on-chain analytics platform SoSoValue. Institutional investors see this participation as validation of XRP’s role in cross-border payments. It also addresses concerns about mainstream adoption that have historically limited the usefulness of cryptocurrencies outside of speculative trading. Analysts point to regulatory clarity regarding XRP as a financial asset and the development of ETFs related to cryptocurrencies as factors driving up price predictions.
Morgan Stanley’s Disruptive Payments Vision
Morgan Stanley’s XRP outlook focuses on structural benefits rather than a specific price target for 2026. The company’s analysts characterize XRP as a potential threat to SWIFT’s dominance in international remittances, citing the token’s ability to reduce banking costs and free up capital currently tied up in Nostro accounts. This analysis suggests that XRP has the potential to gain significant market share in the $150 trillion annual cross-border payments space. However, Morgan Stanley has not released any official predictions regarding the rise in the XRP price in 2026 based on public research at this time.
Interestingly, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has reinforced institutional optimism with his own forward-looking statements. He predicts that the XRP blockchain will capture 14% of the transaction volume currently processed by the SWIFT system within five years. This equates to approximately $21 trillion in annual trading volume. However, some skeptics question whether volatile cryptocurrencies can effectively replace stablecoin solutions in the institutional payments corridor. Standard Chartered XRP’s forecast incorporates these growth projections while also recognizing execution risks regarding adoption and competition.
Regulatory environment and market consensus
The SEC’s August 2025 decision to drop its appeal against Ripple resolved a legal battle that began in December 2020. That’s when regulators charged Ripple with selling unregistered securities. A court ruling in July 2023 ruled that programmatic sales of XRP on exchanges do not constitute securities trading, thereby creating a regulatory basis for ETF approval. The reality is that while this clarity has reduced hesitation within organizations, concerns about evolving compliance requirements and security risks persist across the cryptocurrency sector.
Alternative price scenarios and market variables
The prediction range for XRP price in 2026 is very wide. Some algorithmic models suggest it could fall to $1.04, while others see it rising to $3.40, with most hovering around $1.88. A more optimistic scenario also exists. Specifically, this scenario assumes significant institutional investment and strong adoption of Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin. With these predictions, XRP will be between $5 and $6.80 by the second half of next year.
What is actually happening is that Morgan Stanley’s XRP Outlook and Jeffrey Kendrick’s XRP Forecast, combined with increased ETF activity, have created a more optimistic outlook for XRP in 2026. It would be great if we could hit the $8 target outlined in the Standard Chartered XRP forecast, but it is far from a guarantee. Chart patterns are not the only determining factor. Market sentiment is very important. Ripple’s ability to successfully expand its payments network across multiple regions while managing regulatory pressures and competing with stablecoins will also play a key role. A scenario where the XRP price soars in 2026 is definitely possible, but whether it actually materializes will depend on execution risks and market conditions.
