The price of XRP fell by about 15% in 2025 but outperformed most alternative coins.
Macroeconomic uncertainty and the exit of retail stores have pressured prices.
Institutional flows have contributed to mitigating negative risks.
Regulatory clarity remains the biggest catalyst for 2026.
The commentator in the field of cryptocurrencies, Austin Hilton, published a video addressing XRP holders and reviewing a year that was tough but strong for the currency. It fell $XRP by more than 15% to about $1.90 by the end of the year, but Hilton points out that this loss was better than the rest of the alternative cryptocurrency market, where many coins dropped by more than 40% as retail trader activity continued to decline.
The price movement of XRP is influenced by macro pressures
Hilton points to the global macro forces that weighed on cryptocurrency markets in 2025. Trade tensions, uncertainty over tariffs, and changing Federal Reserve expectations led to a risk-averse stance that resulted in the liquidation of speculative assets. Despite these headwinds, $XRP managed to defend its key levels better than most other large cryptocurrencies.
Unlike previous cycles that were almost entirely driven by retail markets, Hilton notes that institutional flows have helped offset the unjustified declines in XRP. Additionally, the focus on payments, experimental projects, and expanding corporate interest has helped avoid major sell-offs, despite individual traders exiting the market.
Why Hilton remains optimistic about 2026
In an attempt to look to the future, Hilton sees 2026 as a promising year, believing that regulatory certainty could usher in a new era of demand for digital currencies. He points to progress in U.S. digital currency laws, such as the GENIUS Act, which could enable banks and financial institutions to gain broader exposure to digital currencies like XRP.
2026 predictions for $XRP vary significantly among analysts. Some platforms estimate the price conservatively at around $2, while some optimistic institutions like Standard Chartered expect it to reach $8, representing an increase of over three hundred percent from current levels.
Adoption trends
Hilton cites broader studies on blockchain adoption, which show that 25% of institutions are increasing their use of payment technologies annually. With these trends, the story based on the real utility of XRP may become more compelling than the speculative narrative associated with tokens. Hilton encourages holders to keep an eye on regulatory changes, institutional news, and the general market cycle for Bitcoin.
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