XRP Price Prediction: Will XRP Flip ETH and Hit $12.5 by 2028?

XRP, the native token of Ripple's XRP Ledger, is stealing the spotlight in 2025. After surging 600% from November 2024 to January 2025, it's now consolidating

The native token of Ripple’s XRP Ledger, XRP, has been making waves in 2025 with a remarkable 600% surge from November 2024 to January 2025, to now consolidate around the $2 mark.

However, an even more staggering prediction comes from Standard Chartered (Stan Chart), which sees XRP reaching $12.50 by 2028. To put this into perspective, this would be a greater than 500% leap from today’s price levels.

But wait, there’s more. The bank also predicts that XRP could outpace Ethereum (ETH) in market cap, potentially becoming the second-largest non-stablecoin cryptocurrency after Bitcoin (BTC).

Now, let’s break down the key aspects of Standard Chartered’s bullish outlook on XRP and examine the market dynamics that could propel this token.

Why Will XRP Surge? Standard Chartered’s $12.50 Prediction

At the beginning of this year, Standard Chartered’s Global Head of Digital Assets Research, Geoffrey Kendrick, shared a multi-year price prediction for XRP, and it has been making headlines ever since. In a recent report from this week, Kendrick continues to project:

Kendrick’s optimism isn’t fueled by hype; it’s based on three crucial drivers:

* Regulatory clarity: The SEC’s decision to pause its appeal against the SEC in December 2024, President Trump’s pro-crypto policies, and the potential for a U.S. crypto bailout package could create a strong tailwind for crypto in 2025. Trump's proposed strategy to build a strategic crypto reserve—initially without mentioning XRP—also speaks volumes about broader political support for the crypto market.

* Cross-border payment utility: As institutions seek efficient solutions for global transactions, products like RippleNet’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service come into play. Already used by banks in Japan, Latin America, and the Middle East, ODL facilitates seamless liquidity provisioning.

* Tokenization and ETF potential: The U.S. launch of a leveraged XRP ETF in 2025, though not a spot product, sparked buzz, with Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas noting it’s a sign “nature is healing” for crypto’s boldest predictions. A spot ETF approval could drive billions in yearly inflows, similar to Bitcoin’s ETF-fueled rally in 2024.

However, Kendrick acknowledges some challenges, such as XRP’s smaller developer ecosystem compared to Ethereum and its low-fee model, which might limit its ability to capture a large share of blockchain fees. Despite these factors, he believes XRP’s strong real-world utility and positive market trends will outbalance these challenges.

XRP Price Is Up Today

As of Saturday, April 12, 2025, one XRP is trading at $2.05 on the Bitstamp exchange, reflecting a 0.16% increase since the start of the session. This continues the upward momentum from Friday, when the token surged by nearly 3%.

Over the past 24 hours, XRP has gained approximately 3%, pushing its market capitalization to nearly $120 billion. The daily trading volume exceeds $3 billion.

Why Is XRP Going Up? The 5 Main ReasonsssWhy Is

XRP’s potential isn’t just about one bank’s forecast. A confluence of factors is setting the stage for a breakout, offering retail investors a compelling case to watch closely:

1. Regulatory Tailwinds

The SEC’s decision to pause its appeal against Ripple, President Trump’s pro-crypto policies, and the potential for a U.S. crypto bailout package are signaling a strong 2025 for crypto.

Trump's proposed strategy to create a strategic crypto reserve—initially without mentioning XRP—also showcases broader political support that could benefit all cryptocurrencies.

2. Institutional Adoption

Ripple’s XRP Ledger is coming into focus for cross-border remittances as institutions seek efficient solutions. Banks in Japan, Latin America, and the Middle East are testing XRP for liquidity provisioning via RippleNet’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service.

3. ETF Hype

The U.S. launch of a leveraged XRP ETF in 2025, despite not being a spot product, sparked buzz. Balchunas called it a sign “nature is healing” for crypto’s boldest predictions. A spot ETF approval could drive billions in yearly inflows, much like Bitcoin’s ETF-fueled rally in 2024.

4. Tokenization Ambitions

Ripple’s push into tokenized assets—like Treasury bills and RLUSD—positions XRP as a backbone for next-gen finance. Kendrick sees the XRP Ledger evolving into a “tokenization chain,” amp