XRP (XRP-USD) could soar to $12.50 and dethrone Ethereum’s market cap by 2028, according to a forecast from Standard Chartered. The U.K. banking giant isn’t exactly known for hype, but this time they’ve gone all in. “By the end of 2028, we see XRP’s market cap overtaking Ethereum’s,” said Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s Head of FX and Digital Assets Research. He’s not just guessing — this is part of a full-on roadmap that pegs XRP at $5.50 by the end of 2025, climbing each year until it hits $12.50.
Standard Chartered Ties XRP Rise to ETF Approval
Kendrick thinks a big part of the rally will come from an XRP ETF, which he expects to land by Q3 2025. According to Finance Magnates, he’s banking on “clearer regulatory frameworks” and the growing push to tokenize real-world assets. He also made it clear this isn’t just about speculation. “XRP’s blockchain is a payments chain,” he said — referring to the asset’s original purpose of settling cross-border transactions quickly and cheaply.
That might sound like old news to crypto veterans, but in a world where tokens are being squeezed by regulation, XRP’s legal clarity post-Ripple’s win over the U.S. SEC is now a major advantage.
Analysts Push Even Higher with XRP ETF Inflow Theory
Meanwhile, some market analysts are pushing price targets even further. According to The Crypto Basic, XRP could hit $15 if institutional inflows pour in post-ETF approval. One analyst used market cap multipliers to explain how ETFs could “send XRP flying,” especially as traditional finance continues creeping into the crypto space.
It’s a stretch, sure — but these kinds of models are gaining traction. And with Ripple already embedded in multiple financial systems worldwide, the idea of XRP becoming a next-gen financial backbone isn’t as far-fetched as it once seemed.
Not Every XRP Forecast Is Sky-High
Still, not every forecast is sky-high. Changelly analysts project XRP to stay between $1.85 and $2.33 throughout 2025. That’s a solid bump from today’s levels, but nowhere near Kendrick’s $12.50 endgame.
In any case, XRP has become one of the most polarizing bets in crypto. Whether it’s a sleeping giant or a tired remnant depends on your view of regulation, utility, and how much Wall Street cash you think might flow in.
At the time of writing, XRP is sitting at $2.08.
