XRP Could Hit $10 in 2026, Analyst Says as Key Catalysts Line Up

• YoungHoon Kim predicts XRP could hit $10 and enter a supercycle in 2026.
• Spot XRP ETFs opened regulated access, bringing over $1B from traditional investors.
• Japan set to boost XRP Ledger activity with Ripple-SBI RLUSD stablecoin.

A bold new prediction is gaining attention in the crypto community. YoungHoon Kim, known online for claiming an IQ of 276, says XRP could reach $10 or higher in 2026. He also believes XRP may enter what he calls a “supercycle” next year. 

However, the XRP price has been under pressure lately and is trading below the important resistance level near $2. But here are the recent developments and upcoming catalysts that could shape Kim’s bold projection in 2026. 

Fed Rate Cut Hopes Could Lift XRP in Early 2026

U.S. inflation is cooling, with core CPI at a four-year low. This gives the Federal Reserve room to cut interest rates in early 2026, a move that usually supports cryptocurrencies like XRP. 

Lower rates often weaken the U.S. dollar and encourage investors to move back into speculative markets. Upcoming inflation reports and Fed comments will be important for XRP price direction.

ETFs Make Institutional Access Easy

Spot XRP ETFs launched in November 2025, bringing over $1 billion in inflows by mid-December from firms like Canary Capital, Grayscale, and Franklin Templeton. ETFs simplify buying XRP for investors, removing the need for exchanges, wallets, and custody risks.

Big finance is following suit. In early December, Vanguard opened access to XRP ETFs for its 50+ million clients. This signals a shift from debating crypto legitimacy to figuring out how to integrate it into mainstream portfolios.

Japan RLUSD Launch Could Boost Real-World Usage

Japan is also becoming a key market for Ripple. Ripple and SBI Holdings plan to launch RLUSD, a dollar-backed stablecoin, in early 2026 via SBI VC Trade, pending approval.

Japan already handles a large share of Ripple’s global payment volume. Using RLUSD for domestic and cross-border payments would increase activity on the XRP Ledger, supporting XRP as a settlement infrastructure token.

XRP Supply Drops, Creating Scarcity

Recent on-chain data shows 1.35 billion XRP moved off exchanges in under two months, reducing available supply from 3.95 billion to 2.6 billion. Lower exchange balances may reduce selling pressure and amplify price moves if demand rises.

Ripple Expands Financial Infrastructure

Ripple has also been building the foundation for long-term adoption. Its RLUSD stablecoin crossed $1 billion in market value, and partnerships with Mastercard are boosting ledger usage. Ripple rebranded Hidden Road to Ripple Prime, gained DTCC access, and expanded into institutional finance. These moves focus on real-world integration, not hype.

With legal certainty, ETF access, supply tightening, and growing infrastructure, XRP has multiple catalysts lining up for 2026. 

Related: Ripple-Backed Evernorth Faces $230M Unrealized Loss on XRP Holdings