Could XRP Reach $8 as ETF Inflows Hit $18 Billion?

In recent months, U.S. Spot Ripple [XRP] ETF products have drawn in considerable institutional investments. This influx could potentially elevate the value of XRP, provided that general market sentiment improves.

Key Takeaways

Significant Institutional Interest: U.S. Spot Ripple ETFs have attracted substantial investment, reaching $1.16 billion in net inflows.
Potential Price Surge: Standard Chartered forecasts that XRP could reach $8, indicating a potential upside of 300% from current levels.
Investment Needs: To hit the $8 target, XRP may need approximately $18.6 billion in new capital.
Whale Activity: Recent selling by large holders (“whales”) might impede XRP’s price recovery, maintaining pressure below the $2 level.

Will XRP's price hit $8 after XRP ETF inflows climb to $18 Billion?

These ETF products launched in mid-November and quickly gained popularity, experiencing no days of outflow in 2025. The total net inflow has reached $1.16 billion, with net assets totaling $1.27 billion. Despite this positive trend, XRP struggled to maintain a price above $2 during most of December.

XRP ETF Source: SoSo Value

Standard Chartered Projects XRP Could Reach $8

According to Standard Chartered Bank, the growing demand for these ETFs might serve as a key factor in XRP’s price adjustment in 2026. In a client note from April, Standard Chartered made an assertive prediction regarding XRP’s worth, setting a target of $8. This optimistic outlook is based on improving regulatory conditions and the token's utility in payment systems.

Geoff Kendricks, the bank’s head of digital assets research, mentioned that improving clarity in U.S. regulations has enabled institutions to invest in XRP more easily, allowing Ripple and the XRP ecosystem to develop without the threat of continuous legal challenges.

The $8 price target indicates a potential upside of 300% from the current price of $1.87. At this price point, XRP’s market capitalization would reach $485 billion, representing an influx of more than $360 billion in new investment.

Currently, with ETF inflows at $1.1 billion, the capital required to elevate XRP to the $8 target seems implausible based solely on market capitalization. However, understanding the realized cap—a metric that reflects the actual capital coming into the XRP market—can provide better insight.

XRP ETF Source: Glassnode

During the rally in late 2024, XRP’s price rose from $0.50 to $3 (a sixfold increase) after capturing $25 billion, with the realized cap increasing from $30 billion to $55 billion. To achieve a 1x price move, XRP would need $4.2 billion in new capital. Therefore, to reach the $8 price target (a 4.4x increase), an estimated $18.6 billion in fresh capital would be necessary, equating to a 19x rise in current ETF inflows.

Whale Activity Impacts XRP’s Recovery

Despite the positive influx from ETFs, XRP whales turned into net sellers over the past two months. This sell-off may hinder any recovery in XRP’s price due to persistent weak market conditions. Unless this selling activity subsides, it is likely that XRP will continue to struggle below the $2 mark in the near future.

XRP ETF Source: CryptoQuant

Final Thoughts

The cryptocurrency market remains volatile, and XRP's prospects depend on several factors, including institutional confidence and regulatory developments. Investors should remain cautious and keep an eye on whale movements and ETF inflows as these elements directly influence XRP's price trajectory.