XRP, a cryptocurrency closely linked to Ripple, could rise sharply in the next few years. Global bank Standard Chartered has released a new report saying it could increase by 500% and reach $12.50 by the end of 2028. The bank also believes that Ripple token will become the second-largest cryptocurrency, overtaking Ethereum.
Let’s look at what’s driving this big prediction.
New Forecast from Standard Chartered
On April 9, 2025, Standard Chartered officially launched its coverage of XRP. The report was led by Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research. Kendrick made bold predictions about its future role in global payments and tokenization.
He believes that the Ripple token will not only climb to $12.50 by 2028 but also surpass Ethereum’s market cap. That would make Ripple token the second-largest non-stablecoin cryptocurrency, behind only Bitcoin.
“By the end of 2028, we see XRP’s market cap overtaking Ethereum’s,” Kendrick wrote in the report.
ETF Approval Could Drive Inflows
One of the biggest reasons for this prediction is the expected launch of an XRP spot ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund). Kendrick believes the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will approve the ETF in Q3 2025.
If this happens, the ETF could bring in $4 billion to $8 billion in investments during its first year. This would increase the demand for Ripple coin and give it more attention from big investors.
Kendrick also pointed out that the recent decision by the SEC to drop its appeal in the Ripple lawsuit helps build more trust in the token. He linked this to the return of Donald Trump as U.S. President, suggesting that the new political climate is more friendly toward crypto.
XRP’s Role in Tokenization
Kendrick sees more than just ETF hopes behind XRP’s rise. He said that the XRP Ledger (XRPL) could become a major blockchain for tokenization.
Tokenization means turning real-world assets like real estate, art, or stocks into digital tokens that live on a blockchain. Kendrick compared this token to Stellar, a crypto platform that is now the second-largest player in the tokenization market. He believes this coin could soon take the lead.
“XRP’s blockchain, the XRP Ledger, is a payments chain and may become a tokenization chain,” he said.
Price Forecasts Through 2029
The bank’s report laid out a clear roadmap for the price growth of the Ripple token:
- $5.50 by the end of 2025
- $8.00 in 2026
- $12.50 by 2028 and stable through 2029
This forecast assumes that Bitcoin will reach $500,000 by 2028. Even in a higher inflation environment, Kendrick sees Ripple coin outperforming Bitcoin in terms of annual return: 6% for XRP vs. 0.8% for BTC.
Despite some challenges, like XRP’s relatively small developer base and its low transaction fees, Kendrick believes the positive drivers (regulatory clarity, institutional adoption, and new use cases) will outweigh these downsides.
Ripple Coin Futures and Institutional Growth
The report also highlighted several recent developments showing XRP’s deeper integration into institutional markets:
- A 2x leveraged ETF linked to XRP futures began trading this week on NYSE Arca. This product offers amplified daily exposure without owning this coin directly.
- Coinbase filed with the CFTC to launch nano futures.
- Bitnomial Exchange physically introduced and settled its futures, giving investors more ways to trade the asset.
- Ripple acquired Hidden Road, a global prime brokerage firm, for $1.25 billion. This move integrates the XRPL into cross-asset settlement systems.
Ripple CTO David Schwartz called the acquisition a “defining moment” for the company, while CEO Garlinghouse noted that it shows Ripple token is gaining traction in traditional finance.
XRP-SEC Case Nears Resolution
In addition to the market developments, Ripple and the SEC recently jointly requested a legal pause in their ongoing case. The pause is meant to finalize a $50 million settlement, which would officially end one of the crypto industry’s longest-running legal battles.
This potential conclusion adds further momentum to XRP’s rise, especially with the prospect of greater legal clarity and investor confidence.
Looking Ahead
The next few years could be transformative for the Ripple coin. The outlook for this coin is stronger than ever. According to Standard Chartered:
- It has a clear use case in global payments
- It is gaining ground in tokenization
- It has support from major institutions
- It’s getting closer to regulatory clarity
Standard Chartered’s bold prediction of a 500% price increase and XRP surpassing Ethereum may seem ambitious. But with new financial products, major partnerships, and an improving legal landscape, the future looks brighter than ever for this often-overlooked cryptocurrency.
