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Cardano Price Prediction: Will ADA Explode to $2 by 2030?

As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, investors are eagerly watching Cardano’s ADA token. With its unique proof-of-stake consensus mechanism and strong development roadmap, many are wondering: could ADA reach the coveted $2 mark in the coming years? This comprehensive analysis examines Cardano price predictions from 2026 through 2030, combining technical analysis, market trends, and expert insights to give you a clear picture of ADA’s potential trajectory.

Understanding Cardano’s Current Market Position

Cardano stands as one of the most established blockchain platforms in the cryptocurrency space. Founded by Charles Hoskinson, co-founder of Ethereum, Cardano has built a reputation for its research-driven approach and peer-reviewed development process. As of current market conditions, ADA maintains a strong position among top cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, but what does this mean for future price movements?

The platform’s transition to a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism through its Ouroboros protocol has positioned it as an energy-efficient alternative to proof-of-work blockchains. This fundamental advantage, combined with ongoing development through the Basho and Voltaire eras, creates a solid foundation for potential growth.

Cardano Price Prediction 2026: The Near-Term Outlook

Looking ahead to 2026, several factors will influence ADA’s price trajectory. Market analysts consider both technical indicators and fundamental developments when making their Cardano price prediction for this period.

Key factors for 2026 include:

• Adoption of Cardano’s smart contract capabilities
• Growth of decentralized applications on the platform
• Overall cryptocurrency market conditions
• Regulatory developments affecting proof-of-stake assets

Most conservative estimates suggest ADA could trade between $0.80 and $1.20 by 2026, assuming steady platform growth and favorable market conditions. More optimistic projections, based on accelerated adoption and successful implementation of Cardano’s roadmap, suggest potential highs approaching $1.50.

ADA Price Forecast 2027: Building Momentum

The year 2027 represents a crucial period for Cardano’s long-term trajectory. By this time, the platform should have fully implemented its Voltaire governance system, allowing ADA holders to participate directly in network decisions. This increased utility could significantly impact the ADA price.

These projections assume continued development success and growing institutional interest in proof-of-stake cryptocurrencies. The cryptocurrency forecast for 2027 heavily depends on Cardano’s ability to attract and retain developers, as well as the platform’s performance relative to competitors like Ethereum and Solana.

Cardano 2030: Long-Term Vision and Potential

Looking further ahead to 2030, the Cardano 2030 outlook becomes both more speculative and potentially more exciting. Long-term predictions must account for technological advancements, regulatory landscapes, and broader economic factors that are difficult to forecast with precision.

Several scenarios could unfold:

• Base Scenario: Steady growth with ADA reaching $1.50-$2.50 range
• Bull Scenario: Major adoption breakthroughs pushing ADA to $3-$5
• Bear Scenario: Market challenges limiting growth to $0.80-$1.20

The most compelling question remains: Will ADA hit $2? Based on current trajectories and assuming successful execution of Cardano’s development roadmap, reaching $2 by 2030 appears achievable, though not guaranteed. The $2 milestone represents approximately a 4x increase from current levels, which aligns with historical cryptocurrency growth patterns for established projects with strong fundamentals.

Factors That Could Accelerate ADA Growth

Several developments could propel ADA beyond current predictions:

Institutional Adoption: Increased investment from traditional financial institutions could dramatically increase demand for ADA. As proof-of-stake assets gain regulatory clarity, more institutional investors may enter the Cardano ecosystem.

Technological Breakthroughs: Successful implementation of Cardano’s scaling solutions and interoperability features could position ADA as a leading platform for decentralized finance and other applications.

Market Cycles: Cryptocurrency markets historically move in cycles. A major bull market coinciding with Cardano’s development milestones could create perfect conditions for significant price appreciation.

Risks and Challenges to Consider

While the Cardano price prediction outlook appears promising, investors must consider potential challenges:

Competition: Cardano faces intense competition from other smart contract platforms. Ethereum’s continued development, along with emerging layer-1 and layer-2 solutions, could limit Cardano’s market share.

Regulatory Uncertainty: Changing regulatory landscapes, particularly regarding proof-of-stake assets and securities classification, could impact ADA’s price and adoption.

Execution Risk: Cardano’s development timeline has historically been deliberate. Any significant delays or technical challenges could affect market confidence and price performance.

Expert Insights and Market Sentiment

Leading cryptocurrency analysts offer varied perspectives on ADA’s future. While some emphasize Cardano’s strong fundamentals and research-based approach, others caution about the competitive landscape. Most agree that Cardano’s success depends on execution of its roadmap and ability to attract developers and users to its ecosystem.

The overall cryptocurrency forecast for ADA remains cautiously optimistic, with many experts believing the platform’s unique approach could pay dividends in the long term, particularly as environmental concerns make proof-of-stake mechanisms more attractive to institutional investors.

Actionable Insights for Investors

Based on current Cardano price prediction models and market analysis:

1. Consider dollar-cost averaging rather than timing the market
2. Monitor Cardano’s development progress through official channels
3. Diversify within the cryptocurrency sector
4. Stay informed about regulatory developments affecting proof-of-stake assets
5. Set realistic expectations based on your investment horizon

FAQs: Cardano Price Prediction

What is the highest price Cardano could reach by 2030?
While predictions vary, some optimistic models suggest ADA could reach $5-$10 by 2030 under ideal conditions, though most analysts project more conservative targets in the $2-$4 range.

Who founded Cardano?
Cardano was founded by Charles Hoskinson, who also co-founded Ethereum. The project is developed by Input Output Hong Kong (IOHK).

How does Cardano differ from Ethereum?
Cardano uses a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism called Ouroboros, while Ethereum recently transitioned from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake. Cardano also emphasizes peer-reviewed research and formal methods in its development process.

What factors most influence ADA price?
Key factors include overall cryptocurrency market trends, Cardano platform adoption, technological developments, regulatory changes, and competition from other blockchain platforms.

Is Cardano a good long-term investment?
Many analysts view Cardano as a promising long-term investment due to its strong fundamentals and research-based approach, though all cryptocurrency investments carry significant risk and volatility.

Conclusion: The Path to $2 and Beyond

The journey toward ADA reaching $2 involves multiple factors aligning favorably. Cardano’s deliberate development approach, combined with growing recognition of proof-of-stake advantages, creates a compelling case for long-term growth. While reaching $2 by 2030 appears within reach based on current projections, investors should remain aware of market volatility and the competitive landscape.

Cardano’s success ultimately depends on execution—transforming its technological promise into real-world adoption. As the platform continues to develop and the broader cryptocurrency market evolves, ADA’s price trajectory will reflect both Cardano’s specific achievements and general market conditions. For investors with a long-term perspective and risk tolerance, Cardano represents an intriguing opportunity in the evolving blockchain ecosystem.

To learn more about the latest cryptocurrency markets trends, explore our article on key developments shaping blockchain technology and digital asset adoption.

This post Cardano Price Prediction: Will ADA Explode to $2 by 2030? first appeared on BitcoinWorld.

December 21, 2025 — XRP is ending the weekend in a familiar spot: hovering just below the psychological $2.00 mark while traders weigh a rare combination of tailwinds (institutional ETF demand and growing “real-world” utility narratives) against a market still prone to sudden selloffs.

As of today, XRP is trading around $1.91 with roughly $2.38B in 24-hour volume, and is down about 1% over the last 24 hours, according to CoinMarketCap’s live market data. ^[1]

That headline number, however, masks the more important story driving XRP price discussion on 21.12.2025: spot XRP ETFs are still pulling in steady inflows, yet the token can’t convincingly reclaim $2, a level that has become the market’s decision point heading into the last full trading week of the year. ^[2]

Below is a breakdown of the key XRP news, forecasts, and analyses dated Dec. 21, 2025, plus the context investors are using to interpret what comes next.

XRP price snapshot: where XRP stands on December 21, 2025

Today’s XRP pricing across major trackers is tightly clustered around the low-to-mid $1.90s:

• Live spot price: about $1.91 ^[3]
• Day’s trading range (Yahoo Finance): Open ~1.9324, High ~1.9471, Low ~1.9195, Close ~1.9361 (with volume shown around 2.41B units) ^[4]
• CoinGecko’s historical datapoint for 2025-12-21 shows market cap around $117.0B and volume around $1.93B (datasets and methodologies can differ by provider). ^[5]

Why the $2 level matters right now: multiple Dec. 21 analyses frame $2.00 as the pivot—not just a round number, but a “line in the sand” where market structure shifts from defensive consolidation to breakout attempts. ^[6]

The Dec. 21 headline: spot XRP ETFs hit a major milestone, but XRP is still stuck below $2

One of the most-discussed XRP headlines today is the ETF data:

• XRP spot ETFs have reportedly logged 32 consecutive trading days of net inflows since launching on Nov. 13, and surpassed $1B in cumulative net inflows, per figures cited from SoSoValue via Sentora/IntoTheBlock in today’s reporting. ^[7]
• As of Dec. 19 (ET), the same reporting cites total net assets around $1.21B and cumulative net inflows around $1.07B. ^[8]

The “disconnect” traders are debating: despite that steady ETF bid, XRP has remained range-bound under $2.00. That gap between “institutional wrapper demand” and “spot price follow-through” is a big reason Dec. 21 coverage is so heavily focused on technical levels and near-term catalysts. ^[9]

Institutional credibility boost: Franklin Templeton’s XRP ETF adds a regulated on-ramp

Part of the ETF narrative is that major issuers are now competing to offer “regulated exposure” to XRP.

Franklin Templeton’s own press release describes the Franklin XRP ETF (ticker: XRPZ) as an NYSE Arca-listed product designed to track XRP performance (before fees/expenses), using the CME CF XRP-Dollar Reference Rate (New York Variant) as its benchmark measure. ^[10]

Notable details that matter for market perception:

• The product is structured as a grantor trust that holds XRP, with daily NAV calculations. ^[11]
• Coinbase Custody Trust Company is listed as the XRP custodian, and BNY is listed as administrator/transfer agent/cash custodian. ^[12]

Why this matters for XRP price: even skeptics of crypto can recognize what a product like this does—it lowers operational friction for institutions that can’t (or won’t) custody tokens directly. The market is now trying to figure out whether those flows are “sticky,” and whether they translate into sustained spot demand beyond the ETF wrapper.

XRPL Lending Protocol: the “institutional-grade yield” narrative lands on Dec. 21

A second major theme in today’s XRP coverage is utility expansion—specifically, the idea that XRP holders could eventually earn yield through protocol-native, institution-oriented lending rather than relying on external DeFi workarounds.

RippleXDev has publicly teased a coming “protocol-native” Lending Protocol for the XRP Ledger, describing fixed-term, fixed-rate, underwritten credit. ^[13]

Ripple engineer Edward Hennis has posted that amendments are expected to enter validator voting by late January (2026), and referenced Single Asset Vaults as part of the design (aimed at isolating risk). ^[14]

Dec. 21 market coverage ties this directly to XRP-holder expectations around “institutional-grade yield,” framing it as a potential next chapter for XRPL functionality if governance approval and rollout go smoothly. ^[15]

The market takeaway (today): XRP price isn’t just trading a chart—participants are increasingly trading a narrative about XRP as settlement infrastructure + regulated investment access + credit rails. Whether that narrative becomes a sustained driver depends on delivery timelines and real adoption, not headlines alone.

XRP technical analysis on Dec. 21: support at $1.88–$1.90, resistance near $1.98, and the $2.00 “decision line”

Today’s most explicit technical roadmap comes from FX Leaders’ Dec. 21 analysis:

• XRP is described as stabilizing above a support zone around $1.88–$1.90 ^[16]
• A key near-term barrier is the 100-EMA near ~$1.98, with the analysis suggesting that a close above that region improves the bullish setup ^[17]
• The “headline” scenario: reclaiming $2.00 could set up a move toward ~$2.15 (roughly a mid-teens percentage swing from support, depending on entry). ^[18]

Meanwhile, today’s ETF milestone coverage also flags $2.00 as the immediate retest zone, with additional resistance levels cited around $2.15 and $2.58. ^[19]

Two scenarios traders are watching this week

1) Bullish path (breakout):

• Price holds above $1.88–$1.90, clears ~$1.98, then flips $2.00 into support
• Next “magnet” level cited in today’s analysis: $2.15 ^[20]

2) Bearish path (breakdown):

• Failure to reclaim resistance zones keeps XRP trapped; a loss of the $1.88–$1.90 base would increase odds of a deeper pullback
• Traders typically interpret that as “range resolution lower,” especially if the broader crypto market turns risk-off.

XRP price prediction and forecast roundup (Dec. 21, 2025)

Because XRP sits at a technical inflection point, forecasts published today are unusually wide—ranging from conservative “tight-range” expectations to bold upside calls hinging on ETFs and regulatory clarity.

Forecast 1: Motley Fool’s 2026 targets — $8 vs. $3

A Dec. 21 Motley Fool piece highlights a bullish call from Standard Chartered’s Geoffrey Kendrick, who estimates XRP could reach $8 in 2026, citing regulatory clarity and the “recent approval” of spot XRP ETFs as catalysts. The author then argues a more “reasonable” 2026 target is $3. ^[21]

How to read it: This is less a precise forecast than a signal of how Wall Street-style narratives are forming around XRP—ETFs + clearer rules + payments use case = “institutional asset,” even if price action hasn’t caught up yet.

Forecast 2: Changelly’s December 2025 range — roughly $1.89 to $1.96

Changelly’s Dec. 21 update is far more cautious on near-term volatility, forecasting that for December 2025 XRP could trade with a maximum around $1.96, a minimum around $1.89, and an average around $1.93. ^[22]

For 2026, the same page projects a narrower band (minimum around $1.94, maximum around $2.07, with average estimates listed). ^[23]

How to read it: models like this tend to be mean-reversion oriented and can understate “headline risk” (both up and down). But they show why the $2 zone is so central—many projection frameworks cluster right around it.

Forecast 3: FX Leaders’ near-term technical target — $2.15 if $2 breaks

FX Leaders’ Dec. 21 technical view is straightforward: XRP consolidates around the low $1.90s, but a move reclaiming resistance (including the ~$1.98 region) and then $2.00 could open the door to ~$2.15. ^[24]

How to read it: this forecast is not saying XRP “will” hit $2.15; it’s defining the level the market will likely target if the breakout conditions are met.

The regulatory backdrop: the Ripple-SEC case is no longer the overhang it used to be

Even though the major legal milestones aren’t new today, they remain part of why analysts are more willing to discuss “institutional adoption” without an asterisk.

Reuters reported that the SEC ended its lawsuit against Ripple, leaving a $125 million fine intact, after the parties agreed to dismiss appeals tied to the case. ^[25]

The SEC itself also published a litigation release stating it filed a joint stipulation to dismiss its appeal and Ripple’s cross-appeal, resolving the civil enforcement action against Ripple and two executives. ^[26]

Why this still impacts XRP price psychology: for years, XRP’s trading has been uniquely sensitive to regulatory headlines. With that chapter largely closed, more “traditional” drivers—macro risk appetite, ETF flows, product rollout, and network utility—have more room to dominate the narrative.

Macro check: why broader markets still matter for XRP price

XRP doesn’t trade in a vacuum. This week’s risk sentiment has been shaped by macro data and rate-cut expectations—drivers that can quickly overwhelm token-specific news.

Barron’s coverage of crypto’s reaction to U.S. inflation data this week underscores the continued volatility and “seller control” dynamic that analysts see across the market, even during rebounds. ^[27]

Translation for XRP: even strong XRP-specific headlines (ETF milestones, protocol upgrades) can struggle to lift price if the broader market is de-risking.

Key risks to watch (especially into year-end liquidity conditions)

If you’re following XRP price into the final stretch of 2025, the biggest risks are not mysterious—and many are explicitly spelled out in institutional product disclosures:

• XRP can be highly volatile, with rapid price swings possible ^[28]
• Regulatory and market structure shifts can still affect access, liquidity, and sentiment ^[29]
• ETF flows can change quickly; a “no outflow days” streak can end abruptly if positioning flips.

This is why the market is so focused on observable signals right now: does XRP hold $1.88–$1.90 support, does it reclaim $2.00, do ETF inflows persist, and does the XRPL Lending Protocol progress toward validator voting without controversy?

What to watch next for XRP price

As of Dec. 21, 2025, XRP’s roadmap into the next few days is unusually clean:

1. Price action around $2.00 (breakout attempt vs. repeated rejection) ^[30]
2. ETF flow continuity after a milestone week (does the streak continue into the holidays?) ^[31]
3. XRPL Lending Protocol timeline heading toward validator voting referenced for late January ^[32]

References

1. coinmarketcap.com, 2. www.tradingview.com, 3. coinmarketcap.com, 4. finance.yahoo.com, 5. www.coingecko.com, 6. www.fxleaders.com, 7. u.today, 8. u.today, 9. www.fxleaders.com, 10. www.franklintempleton.com, 11. www.franklintempleton.com, 12. www.franklintempleton.com, 13. x.com, 14. x.com, 15. u.today, 16. www.fxleaders.com, 17. www.fxleaders.com, 18. www.fxleaders.com, 19. u.today, 20. www.fxleaders.com, 21. www.fool.com, 22. changelly.com, 23. changelly.com, 24. www.fxleaders.com, 25. www.reuters.com, 26. www.sec.gov, 27. www.barrons.com, 28. www.franklintempleton.com, 29. www.franklintempleton.com, 30. www.fxleaders.com, 31. www.binance.com, 32. x.com

MATIC Price Prediction Summary

• MATIC short-term target (1 week): $0.36-$0.40 range (-5% to +5%)
• Polygon medium-term forecast (1 month): $0.35-$0.45 range with potential breakout
• Key level to break for bullish continuation: $0.58 resistance
• Critical support if bearish: $0.35 with final support at $0.33

Recent Polygon Price Predictions from Analysts

The latest MATIC price prediction from analysts reveals a cautiously optimistic consensus despite current market weakness. CoinCodex maintains a conservative short-term target of $0.1141, representing only a 2.33% monthly gain, reflecting the prevailing bearish sentiment with the Fear & Greed Index at 20 (Extreme Fear).

However, MEXC News presents a more bullish Polygon forecast, targeting the $0.45-$0.52 range for medium-term gains of 18-37%. This prediction aligns with multiple analyst views that see MATIC recovering to historical support levels around $0.45 by January 2026, provided the token maintains critical support at $0.35.

The consensus among prediction models suggests that while immediate prospects remain challenging, the medium-term outlook for Polygon shows promise if key technical levels hold.

MATIC Technical Analysis: Setting Up for Potential Reversal

The current Polygon technical analysis reveals a cryptocurrency positioned at a critical juncture. Trading at $0.38, MATIC sits just above the immediate support level of $0.35, with the RSI at 38.00 indicating neither oversold nor overbought conditions.

The MACD histogram showing -0.0045 confirms bearish momentum persists, while the price position within Bollinger Bands at 0.29 suggests MATIC is trading in the lower portion of its recent range. However, this positioning could indicate oversold conditions that often precede reversals.

Volume analysis from Binance shows $1.07 million in 24-hour trading, which remains relatively low and suggests consolidation rather than aggressive selling pressure. The daily ATR of $0.03 indicates controlled volatility, creating potential for measured moves in either direction.

The moving average structure tells a compelling story: while MATIC trades below all major moving averages (SMA 20 at $0.43, SMA 50 at $0.45), the proximity to these levels suggests potential resistance-turned-support scenarios if buying pressure emerges.

Polygon Price Targets: Bull and Bear Scenarios

Bullish Case for MATIC

The bullish MATIC price target of $0.45-$0.52 becomes achievable if several technical conditions align. First, MATIC must reclaim the SMA 20 at $0.43, which would signal initial bullish momentum. The critical breakthrough level remains at $0.58, where strong resistance has formed.

Should buyers push MATIC above $0.58, the path opens toward the upper Bollinger Band at $0.56 initially, followed by the more ambitious targets around $0.52. This scenario requires volume expansion and RSI moving above 50 to confirm momentum shift.

The bullish case strengthens if broader cryptocurrency markets recover, as Polygon’s utility in the DeFi and gaming sectors could drive demand. Historical support at $0.45 represents a logical first target, offering approximately 18% upside from current levels.

Bearish Risk for Polygon

Bearish scenarios for Polygon center on the breakdown of the $0.35 support level. Should this critical support fail, the next major level sits at $0.33, representing the strong support identified in technical analysis.

A break below $0.33 could trigger further selling toward the 52-week low of $0.37, though this level has already been tested. The bearish case gains strength if the RSI drops below 30 into oversold territory while volume increases, suggesting capitulation selling.

Risk factors include continued broader market weakness, regulatory concerns affecting DeFi protocols, and potential competition from other Layer 2 solutions that could pressure Polygon’s market position.

Should You Buy MATIC Now? Entry Strategy

The current technical setup suggests a cautious approach to buying MATIC. Conservative investors should wait for confirmation above $0.43 (SMA 20) before establishing positions, with initial targets at $0.45.

More aggressive traders might consider accumulating near current levels around $0.38, but must implement strict risk management with stop-losses below $0.35. Position sizing should remain modest given the uncertain technical picture.

A dollar-cost averaging approach makes sense for longer-term investors, as the medium-term Polygon forecast suggests eventual recovery to the $0.45-$0.52 range. However, any purchases should be made with the understanding that a test of $0.35 support remains possible.

Entry strategy should focus on the $0.36-$0.38 range for initial positions, with additional buying planned if MATIC retests $0.35 support successfully.

MATIC Price Prediction Conclusion

The MATIC price prediction for the coming months shows cautious optimism despite current technical weakness. While short-term prospects remain challenging with bearish momentum indicators, the medium-term outlook suggests potential recovery to the $0.45-$0.52 range by Q1 2026.

Key indicators to monitor for prediction validation include RSI movement above 50, MACD histogram turning positive, and most critically, whether MATIC can break above the $0.58 resistance level. Failure to hold $0.35 support would invalidate the bullish scenario and suggest deeper correction toward $0.33.

The timeline for this prediction spans 1-3 months, with confidence level assessed as MEDIUM based on the technical setup and analyst consensus. Investors should prepare for volatility while positioning for potential medium-term recovery in Polygon’s price trajectory.

Image source: Shutterstock

Key Points

• The SEC earlier this year dropped its appeal against Ripple, a fintech company that uses XRP to facilitate fast and cheap cross-border transactions.

• Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse estimates that the XRP blockchain will capture 14% of the transaction volume currently handled by the SWIFT system within five years.

• The SEC recently approved several spot XRP ETFs that should encourage adoption by eliminating friction associated with cryptocurrency exchanges.

• 10 stocks we like better than XRP ›

Geoffrey Kendrick at Standard Chartered Bank estimates XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) will reach $8 in 2026. His forecast, which implies 315% upside from the current price of $1.90, is based on the idea that increased regulatory clarity and the recent approval of spot XRP ETFs will boost adoption.

While I agree in principle — those tailwinds could certainly drive XRP’s price higher — the forecast itself seems overly optimistic, especially when XRP has actually fallen 7% year to date despite the Trump administration’s support for the broader cryptocurrency industry. I think a more reasonable target is $3 in 2026, which implies about 58% upside.

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Here’s what investors should know about XRP.

Image source: Getty Images.

Favorable developments in legal and regulatory matters

In 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against Ripple for allegedly selling XRP as an unregistered security. In 2023, a U.S. district court issued a split ruling, determining direct sales to institutional investors were illegal, but programmatic sales (through exchanges) to retail investors were not.

The SEC initially appealed the ruling, but more recently dropped the appeal. The situation reflects the Trump administration’s broader push to support the cryptocurrency industry. For instance, President Trump earlier this year signed an executive order that created a national digital asset stockpile. He also nominated cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chairman.

Here’s the big picture: The SEC’s decision to drop its appeal against Ripple may encourage XRP adoption among investors and financial institutions because a legal headwind has been eliminated. Additionally, the Trump administration’s policies could reinforce the trend by treating digital assets as a legitimate component of the U.S. financial system.

XRP supports faster and cheaper cross-border transactions

XRP is the native digital asset on the XRP Ledger, a blockchain designed to support fast and cheap cross-border transactions. The SWIFT messaging system is currently the industry standard in wire transfers, but settlement times are longer and transaction fees are higher. In short, XRP is a bridge currency that resolves those pain points.

Like any asset, XRP’s price will rise as demand rises. One potential catalyst is that fintech company Ripple uses XRP to provide payment services to financial institutions, and Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently predicted the XRP blockchain would capture 14% of SWIFT’s payment volume (equivalent to $20+ trillion) within five years.

In that scenario, demand for XRP could push its price much higher. But Garlinghouse’s prediction seems too optimistic. It makes no sense to use a volatile cryptocurrency to move money when stablecoins exist. And while Ripple has addressed that problem by introducing the stablecoin Ripple USD (CRYPTO: RLUSD), it competes with better established options like Circle‘s USDC.

Here’s the big picture: Despite legal headwinds clearing and the regulatory environment improving, XRP monthly transaction volume has steadily declined over the last two years. That suggests neither XRP nor RLUSD is gaining significant traction as a bridge currency, and I doubt that will change in the future.

Spot XRP ETFs could unlock demand among institutional and retail investors

In November, several spot XRP ETFs started trading on U.S. markets, including one product launched by Franklin Templeton, which ranks among the 25 largest money managers in the world by AUM. Those funds may encourage adoption by removing friction associated with traditional cryptocurrency exchanges, such as high fees and the headache of managing multiple accounts.

Indeed, Bitcoin‘s price has increased 90% since spot Bitcoin ETFs were approved in January 2024, so it stands to reason XRP could see material price appreciation as spot XRP ETFs unlock demand. In that context, I think XRP’s price could increase 58% to $3 (more or less) in the next year.

Here’s the big picture: The recent approval of spot XRP ETFs is the most compelling reason to want XRP exposure. XRP is the fifth-largest cryptocurrency by market value, which means it’s probably one of the digital assets in which institutional investors are most interested. Demand from that well-capitalized group could send XRP’s price higher. But I still have far more confidence in Bitcoin, so I would keep any position in XRP (or a spot XRP ETF) rather small.

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Trevor Jennewine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bitcoin and XRP. The Motley Fool recommends Standard Chartered Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.