Ripple’s XRP could soon become the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, overtaking Ethereum (ETH), according to a bold new prediction from a top banking analyst. The news coincides with the NYSE‘s recent approval of a new leveraged XRP ETF, marking rising mainstream interest in the cryptocurrency.
Geoffrey Kendrick, Global Head of Digital Assets Research at Standard Chartered Bank, believes XRP is on track to surpass Ethereum in market value within the next three years. Speaking to News.Az, Kendrick said XRP’s rising real-world use, strong financial position, and growing institutional interest set it apart as a top contender in the crypto market.
Currently, XRP is valued at $130.9 billion with a price of $2.22, while Ethereum holds a market cap of $329.5 billion. For Kendrick’s prediction to come true, XRP would need to climb to around $5.60, a goal that might seem ambitious but not impossible, especially considering the token has already surged 360% in the past year.
Kendrick’s believes its possible as his view is based on XRP’s increasing utility, particularly in the global payments sector. Ripple, the company behind XRP, has been pushing into the cross-border transaction market and aims to capture 14% of SWIFT’s market share within five years. CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently shared this ambitious vision, highlighting XRP’s potential to become a backbone for international money transfers.
Ripple’s legal clarity, following its partial win against the U.S. SEC, has also boosted confidence among institutional players. The company’s latest move, a $700 million share buyback at a hefty 135% premium, underscores investor trust and shows Ripple’s commitment to long-term growth. The company currently holds $3.7 billion in cash, no debt, and 41 billion XRP tokens, valued at approximately $91 billion.
Kendrick encouraged investors to stay focused on long-term gains despite market ups and downs. He said the tariff issues will pass and Bitcoin’s steady performance suggests a bigger rally could be ahead.
One of the key drivers of XRP’s potential rise lies in its appeal to institutions. As traditional finance continues to explore blockchain adoption, Ripple’s established infrastructure and regulatory progress give it an edge. Kendrick suggests that over time, institutional interest in XRP may even outpace Ethereum’s, especially if Ethereum struggles with scaling and high gas fees.
At the time of writing, XRP was trading at $2.16. In the past 24 hours, XRP recorded a trading volume of $2.71 billion, reflecting strong market activity and continued investor interest. To meet Kendrick’s prediction of overtaking Ethereum by 2028, it would need to rise about 2.5 times. While ambitious, this isn’t out of reach, XRP has already gained over 360% in the past year.
Faster regulatory clarity for XRP, broader institutional adoption, successful XRP ETF launches, and Ripple’s continued expansion in global payments could accelerate its growth.
SEC approval of an XRP ETF would bring significant institutional capital, increase liquidity, enhance price stability, and provide regulatory clarity, potentially boosting its value.
Ripple focuses on increasing XRP’s utility in cross-border payments, securing regulatory clarity, developing the XRP Ledger (XRPL), and forming partnerships with financial institutions.
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