Should You Buy XRP While It's Under $2.50? A Wall Street Analyst Predicts 150% Growth

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XRP (XRP -2.35%) has gained 13% year to date and is currently trading at $2.30, with a market capitalization of $135 billion as of June 10. Despite its steady performance, one Wall Street analyst believes XRP could see explosive growth over the next few years—potentially soaring nearly 150% to reach $5.70 by 2028.

Geoff Kendrick from Standard Chartered recently forecast that XRP could surpass Ethereum in market value by that time. Given Ethereum’s current valuation of $335 billion, such a leap would require substantial investor confidence and broader adoption.

But is XRP truly poised for this kind of breakout? Let’s explore the fundamentals, catalysts, and key factors that could drive its future price—especially while it remains under $2.50.

The XRP Ledger: A Faster, Cheaper Alternative for Global Payments

At the heart of XRP’s value proposition lies the XRP Ledger, a blockchain developed by Ripple Labs to streamline cross-border transactions. Traditionally, banks rely on the SWIFT network to transfer funds internationally—processes that are often slow, costly, and inefficient.

The XRP Ledger offers a compelling alternative. By enabling near-instant settlements at minimal cost, it allows financial institutions to use XRP as a bridge currency when transferring value across borders. Ripple’s suite of payment solutions, including RippleNet and On-Demand Liquidity (ODL), leverages this infrastructure to facilitate real-time international payments without the need for pre-funded nostro accounts.

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While adoption has been gradual, several banks and payment providers have piloted Ripple’s technology. If broader institutional integration occurs, demand for XRP could rise significantly as more transactions require the token for liquidity purposes.

However, widespread usage remains limited. The real momentum may not come from transactional utility alone—but from investment demand.

Could Real-World Asset Tokenization Boost XRP?

One emerging trend that could benefit the XRP ecosystem is the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA). These digital representations of physical or financial assets—like bonds, real estate, or commodities—are expected to grow into a $19 trillion market by 2033.

In a notable development, Guggenheim Partners recently issued digital commercial paper on the XRP Ledger. This fixed-income instrument is backed by U.S. Treasury securities and marks a significant step toward mainstream institutional use of the network.

Although the volume of tokenized assets on the XRP Ledger is still small compared to other blockchains like Ethereum or Solana, this move signals growing trust in its stability and efficiency. More importantly, it opens the door for additional financial instruments to be built on the ledger—potentially increasing transaction volume and network activity.

Still, the direct impact on XRP’s price through these use cases remains modest. Transaction fees on the XRP Ledger are paid in XRP, but they are extremely low—meaning even high volumes generate only incremental demand for the token.

The Real Catalyst: Spot XRP ETFs and Institutional Investment

While technological advancements lay the foundation, the most powerful driver of XRP’s price may be financial innovation—not infrastructure.

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME), the largest derivatives marketplace in the U.S., launched XRP futures trading in May. This move provides institutional traders with regulated exposure to XRP price movements. Additionally, several asset managers have introduced XRP futures ETFs, further expanding access.

But the game-changer could be the approval of spot XRP ETFs.

Unlike futures-based ETFs, spot ETFs hold actual XRP tokens and track their real-time market price. They allow investors to gain direct exposure through traditional brokerage platforms—without needing crypto wallets or navigating exchanges with high fees and security risks.

This model proved transformative for Bitcoin. Since the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, Bitcoin’s price has surged 136%. The influx of capital from retail and institutional investors via these accessible investment vehicles played a major role in that rally.

A similar effect could unfold with XRP if spot ETF applications currently under review receive approval.

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Such approval would likely trigger a wave of new demand, especially from retirement funds, wealth managers, and conservative investors who prefer regulated products over direct crypto ownership.

Core Keywords Driving XRP’s Future

To better understand search intent and optimize visibility, here are the core keywords central to this discussion:

These terms reflect both technical interest and investor sentiment, making them essential for reaching audiences actively researching XRP’s viability as an asset.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will XRP overtake Ethereum by 2028?

While Ethereum currently leads with a $335 billion market cap, Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick believes XRP could surpass it by 2028 if adoption accelerates and a spot ETF is approved. For that to happen, XRP would need to reach approximately $5.70—a 150% increase from current levels. While ambitious, such growth isn’t unprecedented in crypto markets given the right catalysts.

What is the difference between futures and spot XRP ETFs?

Futures ETFs track XRP futures contracts and do not hold actual tokens. Spot ETFs, on the other hand, directly own XRP and reflect its true market price. Spot ETFs are generally preferred because they offer more accurate exposure and lower tracking error.

How does the XRP Ledger support real-world asset tokenization?

The XRP Ledger supports smart contracts and decentralized issuance of digital assets. Guggenheim’s use of the network to issue tokenized commercial paper demonstrates its capability to handle regulated financial instruments securely and efficiently.

Is XRP a good investment under $2.50?

At under $2.50, XRP appears undervalued relative to its potential if spot ETF approval occurs or institutional adoption grows. However, regulatory uncertainty remains a risk. Investors should weigh both technical progress and macro-level developments before committing capital.

Can volatility hinder XRP’s use in cross-border payments?

Yes, price volatility has historically made cryptocurrencies risky for transactional use. To address this, Ripple introduced Ripple USD (a stablecoin), which reduces reliance on volatile XRP for payments while still requiring small amounts of XRP for transaction fees.

When will spot XRP ETFs be approved?

The SEC has not announced a decision timeline for pending spot XRP ETF applications. Approval depends on regulatory assessments around market structure, custody, and investor protection—similar to what was evaluated for Bitcoin ETFs.

Final Thoughts: Timing the Opportunity

XRP sits at a pivotal moment. Its underlying technology solves real problems in global finance, and early signs of institutional engagement—like Guggenheim’s RWA issuance—are promising. But the biggest leap forward may not come from utility—it may come from accessibility.

The potential approval of spot XRP ETFs could mirror Bitcoin’s post-ETF surge, unlocking billions in new capital from traditional investors who’ve waited for regulated entry points.

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With XRP still trading below $2.50 and backed by strong fundamentals and bullish analyst projections, now could be a strategic time to evaluate its place in a diversified portfolio—especially as Wall Street begins to take notice.

Whether driven by payment innovation or investment inflows, one thing is clear: XRP’s next major move may be just around the corner.