- Aaron Arnold projects 1,000 XRP worth $5,000-$9,000 by 2026 depending on BTC
- RLUSD migration to XRP Ledger could accelerate token burn and network activity
- Eleven firms with $240B assets have filed XRP ETF applications for approval
Altcoin Daily founder Aaron Arnold has outlined price scenarios for XRP holdings through 2026, focusing on how 1,000 XRP tokens currently worth $2,940 could appreciate based on market conditions. His analysis connects XRP’s potential performance to Bitcoin’s trajectory and institutional adoption factors.
Arnold projects two main scenarios: if Bitcoin reaches $150,000, XRP could surpass $5 making 1,000 tokens worth $5,000, while a Bitcoin rally to $250,000 might drive the coin to $9 for a $9,000 valuation. These projections assume cryptocurrencies with real-world utility will benefit from Bitcoin’s momentum during the current cycle.
RLUSD Stablecoin Could Drive Network Migration
Arnold highlighted Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin as a key catalyst, noting its growth to over $686 million market capitalization within eight months since launch. This makes RLUSD the second-fastest expanding stablecoin in 2025, trailing only BlackRock’s USDTB.
Currently, most RLUSD activity occurs on Ethereum, but Arnold predicts migration to XRP Ledger as institutions seek faster and more cost-efficient transaction rails. This shift could boost the network activity while accelerating the token burn rate through increased transaction volume.
The stablecoin’s growth trajectory suggests potential for capturing market share from established players if the predicted migration to XRP Ledger materializes. However, network effects and existing liquidity pools on Ethereum create switching costs that may slow adoption.
ETF Applications Signal Institutional Interest
Arnold emphasized that eleven firms controlling more than $240 billion in assets under management have filed XRP ETF applications. He drew parallels to Bitcoin’s ETF approval, which helped drive BTC from $45,000 to over $100,000 in 2024.
The analyst suggested similar institutional inflows could propel XRP higher, though regulatory approval remains uncertain. Teucrium’s recent XRP futures ETF launch has attracted demand, indicating institutional appetite exists for XRP exposure through traditional investment vehicles.
Arnold noted Ripple’s compliance focus and 60+ regulatory licenses worldwide as positioning the company favorably for institutional adoption. CEO Sal Gilbertie’s comparison of Ripple’s approach to investment banking discipline suggests methodical market expansion rather than speculative growth.
Despite his bullish outlook, Arnold’s $9 target appears conservative compared to community predictions exceeding $20 within the same timeframe.
Source: https://thenewscrypto.com/heres-xrp-price-by-2026-if-bitcoin-surges-analysis/