- Standard Chartered predicts XRP could hit $5.50 by end of 2025, or even $12.50 under favorable conditions, citing strong positioning in cross-border payments.
- Ripple is making big moves, including a $1.25B acquisition of prime broker Hidden Road and the launch of the first-ever leveraged XRP ETF on NYSE Arca.
- After years of legal battles, XRP is gaining momentum under a more crypto-friendly U.S. administration and could break past its all-time high of $3.40.
XRP could be lining up for a major run, if Standard Chartered’s latest report is anything to go by. In a new research note, Geoff Kendrick—the bank’s head of digital assets—says XRP might climb nearly 200% to hit $5.50 by the end of 2025. But that’s not all. If things go really well under the current administration, Kendrick believes XRP could even tag $12.50 before President Trump’s term ends.
Right now, XRP is trading around $1.80, down about 6% over the last 24 hours. Still, Kendrick’s optimism shines through. He claims XRP is “uniquely positioned” at the center of the fast-growing cross-border payments space and could keep pace with Bitcoin’s growth.
A History of Legal Drama (and Turning Points)
XRP’s journey hasn’t been smooth. Launched by the founders of Ripple Labs, it quickly became a target for regulators. The SEC sued Ripple in 2020, alleging it sold unregistered securities. The legal battle dragged on for years, casting a shadow over XRP’s future.
But in 2023, there was a major turning point. A federal judge ruled that Ripple’s sales of XRP to retail buyers didn’t qualify as securities—a win, or at least a partial one, that helped restore faith in the project.
With the Biden-era SEC out and the Trump administration warming up to crypto, Ripple’s now leaning into new opportunities. The vibes? Way more bullish.
First-Ever Leveraged XRP ETF Launches This Week
Just in time to stoke the fire, Teucrium Investment Advisors announced the launch of a 2x leveraged XRP ETF, set to hit NYSE Arca on April 8. The fund, dubbed XXRP, marks the first leveraged product for XRP, even before a spot ETF has been approved.
Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas flagged the oddity, noting it’s rare—maybe even a first—for an asset’s first ETF to be leveraged.
Ripple Goes Big: $1.25B Prime Brokerage Buyout
Ripple’s not slowing down. On Tuesday, the company announced it’s acquiring Hidden Road, a prime broker known for its crypto-friendly stance, for a whopping $1.25 billion.
This deal could position Ripple as a serious heavyweight in institutional crypto finance. It’s one of the largest acquisitions in the industry’s history and further strengthens the case for XRP’s long-term utility.
XRP Price: Aiming to Break Records?
XRP’s last all-time high was $3.40 back in 2018. Earlier this year, it came close again—hitting $3.38 in January right before Trump’s inauguration.
If Standard Chartered’s prediction plays out, we’re not just talking about breaking previous highs—we’re talking about a moon mission. $5.50? Doable. $12.50? Well, let’s just say, the market’s watching closely.
