XRP Turns 14: Post‑SEC Settlement and ETF Inflows Could Push Token to $4.50 in 2026

Ripple’s XRP turns 14 in June 2026 — and after a turbulent decade-plus, the token is riding renewed momentum that could carry it toward $4.50 this year. A quick refresher: XRP launched in June 2012 and, following a rocky period, staged a major comeback beginning in 2025. The rally peaked with a fresh all-time high of $3.65 in July 2025, and several factors suggest more upside could be ahead. Why $4.50 is on the radar for 2026 - Legal clarity: The long-running SEC v. Ripple case closed in 2025, removing a major regulatory overhang and opening the door for renewed institutional and retail interest. Market participants widely saw the settlement as a key catalyst for the 2025 rally. - ETF momentum: 2025 also brought the launch and growing adoption of XRP spot ETFs. Similar ETF-driven inflows helped propel Bitcoin and Ethereum to new highs in prior cycles; XRP’s ETF products have begun attracting capital and attention, a dynamic that could help push price higher. - Media and analyst bullishness: CNBC recently labeled XRP the “hottest crypto trade of 2026,” a narrative that may attract additional investor buying. Meanwhile, Telegaon analysts are even more optimistic, projecting a new all-time high of $5.18 in 2026 — roughly a 151% gain from current levels. - Real-world use case: XRP remains one of the most used cryptocurrencies for cross-border payments. Continued adoption by payments providers and financial institutions could add fundamental tailwinds; some forecasts from the same analyst community even envision prices topping $10 if usage and demand accelerate dramatically. Onflows and market signals - Industry data indicate strong ETF interest: reports show XRP ETF assets surged to about $1.71 billion in January, though prices haven’t fully reflected those inflows yet. Bottom line XRP’s combination of regulatory resolution, growing ETF adoption, positive media attention, and real-world payments use sets up a plausible path to $4.50 in 2026 — and potentially higher if adoption continues to scale. As always, these outcomes depend on market conditions and investor sentiment, and crypto investments remain volatile. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news