Crypto analyst Adam_XRP has mapped out a bullish case for XRP in 2026, putting the token in a $6 to $12 range, or higher. His thesis rests on Ripple’s 2025 acquisitions, broader partnership activity, and a buildout aimed at regulated financial infrastructure rather than short-term market speculation.
Hidden Road and Rail are central to the 2025 thesis
In the analyst’s view, 2025 marked a shift in Ripple’s strategy. Instead of chasing speculative expansion, the company focused on buying pieces of financial infrastructure. The largest deal cited was Ripple’s $1.25 billion acquisition of prime brokerage firm Hidden Road, which brings institutional trading and financing tools into the XRP ecosystem.
Ripple also acquired Rail for about $200 million. That deal is presented as a way to strengthen stablecoin payment rails and cross-border settlement capacity. Taken together, the two transactions point to a plan centered on deeper institutional integration for XRP, not just retail-driven growth.
RLUSD expansion and Binance listing add liquidity
Adam_XRP also pointed to rising adoption around RLUSD, Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin. RLUSD recently secured a listing on Binance, a step that adds liquidity, broadens available trading pairs, and increases market visibility across regions.
The report says Ripple’s technology is also being integrated by banks and institutions across Asia, Europe, and Africa. The analyst’s argument is that these are live operational deployments. That matters because it supports the case that XRP is being used inside real payment and settlement systems rather than remaining a purely market-driven asset.
Ripple’s focus shifts to regulated rails and tokenization
The broader strategy described in the report centers on regulated financial rails, tokenization of real-world assets, and closer links between RLUSD and the XRP Ledger. By connecting RLUSD directly to XRPL and expanding compliant on- and off-ramps, Ripple is aiming to build a network that can handle large institutional flows.
Adam_XRP also referenced Ripple’s reported ambition to secure regulated charters and banking licenses. If approvals are obtained, that could open more direct access to central banking infrastructure, including the Federal Reserve, and strengthen Ripple’s position between traditional finance and blockchain settlement.
The 2026 price call is tied to adoption, not hype
With the acquisitions completed, partnerships growing, and infrastructure nearing maturity, Adam_XRP argues that XRP could see a major re-rating in 2026. His stated range is $6 to $12 or more if current momentum continues and adoption speeds up.
He framed the outlook as a response to structural developments, not a short-term trading narrative. The report also notes that XRP’s 2026 performance may hinge less on hype cycles and more on whether Ripple can turn infrastructure into sustained transaction volume and liquidity.