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Ahmed Barakat
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XRP is trading near $1.30 as institutional demand and tightening supply return to the spotlight. Standard Chartered still sees XRP price reaching $28 despite cutting its near-term prediction.
The bank’s target would require XRP to climb more than 2,000% from current levels. That makes institutional adoption and sustained buying pressure central to the bullish case.
U.S. spot XRP ETFs have accumulated 1.2 billion XRP since launching. Meanwhile, Ripple’s escrow system continues releasing tokens, creating a potential clash between institutional demand and available supply.
XRP Price Prediction: Standard Chartered Keeps Its $28 Target
Standard Chartered’s Geoffrey Kendrick lowered his 2026 XRP price target to $2.80 earlier this year. However, the bank maintained its long-term forecast of $28 by 2030. Its revised roadmap projects XRP reaching $7 in 2027, $12.60 in 2028, and $19.60 in 2029. The final $28 target would represent an extraordinary recovery from current prices.
At approximately $1.30, XRP would need to gain around 2,050% to reach $28. Its market capitalization would approach $1.8 trillion using today’s circulating supply.
This valuation would place XRP among the world’s largest financial assets. ETF demand alone cannot justify such a move without substantial growth in adoption and liquidity.
Kendrick’s bullish thesis relies on institutional participation, regulatory clarity, and greater use of blockchain payment infrastructure. Spot ETFs provide one potential route for traditional investors to gain exposure.
The question now is whether those products can absorb enough XRP to influence market supply.
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XRP ETF Demand Could Tighten the Available Supply
U.S. spot XRP ETFs held 1.2 billion XRP by November 4. That accounts for 1.2% of the token’s fixed 100 billion maximum supply.
The funds have accumulated substantial holdings since their launch. However, recent flows show that institutional demand has not been consistently positive.
ETF data recorded outflows during several recent sessions, while October’s strongest buying days were followed by withdrawals. This could create a supply squeeze with renewed and sustained inflows.
If ETF demand accelerates, issuers must acquire XRP to support their products. Those purchases could reduce the amount of XRP readily available for trading, particularly if existing holders refuse to sell.
That dynamic could amplify price movements during periods of rising demand. A genuine supply shock would require persistent buying to overwhelm available sellers across exchanges and other markets.
Ripple’s Escrow Releases Remain the Biggest Supply Wildcard
Ripple’s escrow system adds another layer to the XRP price prediction. The company releases up to one billion XRP from escrow each month, with unused tokens often returned to new escrow contracts. Ripple is reportedly holding 31.7 billion XRP in escrow. Its total XRP holdings stood at 36.8 billion.
But could XRP touch $28? The bullish scenario would require ETF purchases and institutional accumulation to outpace selling pressure. Greater use of XRP in payments and tokenized financial markets could provide additional demand.
XRP price remains far below Standard Chartered’s long-term prediction, for now. The token’s ability to hold recent support and attract renewed ETF inflows will help determine the supply-squeeze thesis and whether it can gain traction.
A sustained institutional buying cycle could strengthen the case for a much larger rally. Reaching $28, however, would require years of adoption growth beyond the ETF market alone.
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