XRP to Surpass Ethereum? Standard Chartered Sees $12.50 Price Target by 2028
Standard Chartered has released a bold new forecast for XRP, predicting a meteoric rise in value to $12.50 by the end of 2028. The projection, outlined in a report by Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research, signals a potential 500% surge from current price levels. Also read: How to Buy XRP Safely This forecast is underpinned by expectations of regulatory breakthroughs, ETF approval, and the crypto’s increasing role in the tokenization and cross-border payments sectors. XRP’s Potential ETF Approval and Market Dominance Kendrick’s analysis points to a series of catalysts that could propel the altcoin into the forefront of the digital asset landscape. One of the most significant is the anticipated approval of a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), projected for the third quarter of 2025. Such a development could channel between $4 billion and $8 billion into XRP within the first year of the ETF’s launch, potentially accelerating institutional adoption. Also read: Is XRP a Good Investment? What To Know The report goes even further, asserting that the crypto’s market capitalization could surpass Ethereum’s by the end of 2028, making it the second-largest non-stablecoin crypto asset. Kendrick attributes this aggressive prediction to XRP’s expanding real-world utility and regulatory clarity, coupled with Ripple’s momentum in embedding XRP into traditional finance through acquisitions and product innovations. Tokenization and Institutional Growth Fueling XRP At the heart of Kendrick’s bullish outlook is XRP Ledger (XRPL), which he characterizes as a “payments chain” with the potential to evolve into a leading tokenization platform. He drew comparisons between XRPL and Stellar’s infrastructure, noting that while Stellar is currently the second-largest player in the tokenization sector, Ripple’s token could emerge as a dominant force thanks to its efficiency and growing use cases. The bank’s report also highlights a broader trend: the institutionalization of Ripple’s token. This week saw the launch of a 2x leveraged ETF tied to XRP futures on NYSE Arca, signaling rising interest in sophisticated investment products centered on the asset. Also read: Kraken Just Unlocked Ripple’s $293M RLUSD Stablecoin for Traders Coinbase has also filed to launch nano XRP futures, while Bitnomial Exchange recently introduced physically settled XRP futures contracts. These developments are laying the groundwork for more robust institutional access to the crypto, which could play a key role in boosting liquidity and price stability. Ripple’s recent $1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road—a move described by Ripple CTO David Schwartz as a “defining moment”—further integrates the company’s ledger into global prime brokerage infrastructure. The acquisition enables cross-asset settlement and positions Ripple to better serve institutional clients seeking efficient blockchain-based payment rails. Regulatory Winds Shifting in Ripple’s Favor Kendrick believes that the ongoing regulatory resolution with the SEC is another major tailwind. With the SEC dropping its appeal in the Ripple case and a potential $50 million settlement on the horizon, the company’s token appears to be moving out of regulatory limbo. Also read: The Rise and Impact of Ripple Labs Kendrick even tied the shift in regulatory posture to the broader political landscape, suggesting that the Donald Trump re-election could further ease the path for the crypto’s acceptance in the US financial system. Despite the crypto’s smaller developer base and its low-fee model—which has historically made it less attractive for speculative projects—Standard Chartered asserts that these are offset by its growing real-world utility, network reliability, and alignment with financial institutions. Kendrick projects Ripple’s token will reach $5.50 by the end of 2025, climb to $8.00 in 2026, and then stabilize at $12.50 from 2028 through 2029. If Standard Chartered’s projections hold, XRP could defy expectations and emerge as a central player in both the crypto and traditional financial ecosystems. Its unique position at the intersection of tokenization, regulation, and institutional adoption gives it a potentially unmatched growth trajectory in the coming years. Steven's passion for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology began in 2014, inspiring him to immerse himself in the field. He notably secured a top 5 world ranking in robotics. While he initially pursued a computer science degree at the University of Texas at Arlington, he chose to pause his studies after two semesters to take a more hands-on approach in advancing cryptocurrency technology. During this period, he actively worked on multiple patents related to cryptocurrency and blockchain. Additionally, Steven has explored various areas of the financial sector, including banking and financial markets, developing prototypes such as fully autonomous trading bots and intuitive interfaces that streamline blockchain integration, among other innovations. View all posts