Here’s What 1,000 XRP Could Be Worth by 2026: Altcoin Daily Founder

Aaron Arnold, the founder of Altcoin Daily, has sparked a new conversation about what 1,000 XRP could be worth by 2026. He posed the question in a tweet, prompting various responses from market participants. While some were ultra-bullish, projecting ambitious triple-digit price levels, others presented more bearish outlooks. Meanwhile, Arnold shared his own target and provided a deep dive into various factors supporting his outlook. Renewed Optimism for XRP Arnold noted that he has only recently become optimistic about XRP’s potential, after having ignored the coin for years. Notably, he was previously concerned about regulatory uncertainty. However, the market pundit now believes the environment is much clearer following the resolution of Ripple’s case with the SEC. According to him, XRP has evolved beyond being just another altcoin and is positioning itself as a global bridge currency with major upside potential. The RLUSD Factor Interestingly, a key driver of his outlook is Ripple’s stablecoin, RLUSD. Launched eight months ago, it has already grown to a market cap of over $686 million. This makes RLUSD the second-fastest expanding stablecoin of 2025, behind only BlackRock’s USDTB. Arnold pointed out that most of RLUSD’s current use is on Ethereum. Nonetheless, he predicts a shift to the XRP Ledger is inevitable, as institutions seek faster and more cost-efficient rails. He believes this transition won’t just boost XRP’s network activity but will also accelerate its burn rate, gradually reducing supply. Price Scenarios for 1,000 XRP by 2026 Arnold mapped out two potential XRP price paths based on Bitcoin’s performance: If Bitcoin rallies to $150,000, XRP could surpass $5, turning 1,000 XRP into $5,000. If Bitcoin climbs to $250,000, XRP might reach $9, making 1,000 tokens worth $9,000. For context, 1,000 XRP is currently worth around $2,940—an impressive rise from roughly $500 just nine months ago. Arnold’s projection hinges on the idea that cryptocurrencies with real-world utility—like XRP—will ride Bitcoin’s momentum during this cycle. Notably, Bitcoin reached a peak of $124,450 earlier this month. XRP has also inched closer to setting a new peak. ETF Factor The analyst also highlighted growing institutional interest. Eleven firms, representing more than $240 billion in assets under management, have filed for an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF). He compared this to Bitcoin’s ETF approval, which propelled BTC from $45,000 to over $100,000 in 2024. A similar inflow, he suggested, could drive XRP significantly higher. Still, Arnold’s $9 target by 2026 is relatively conservative compared to more optimistic community predictions of $20 or more within the same timeframe. Ripple’s Strategy and Global Expansion Arnold also highlighted Ripple’s consistent focus on compliance and long-term strategy. He noted that the company has already secured over 60 regulatory licenses worldwide. He cited Teucrium CEO Sal Gilbertie, who likened Ripple’s approach to that of investment bankers: disciplined and deliberate. Notably, Teucrium recently launched an XRP futures ETF, which has already attracted significant demand. Ultimately, Anold believes XRP’s unique positioning as a bridge asset, growing ETF interest, and the rise of RLUSD could set the stage for a stronger-than-expected performance by 2026.