Fresh claims based on alleged leaked documents and institutional reports are circulating, suggesting XRP could see massive long-term price appreciation as Ripple expands its global payments infrastructure. While unconfirmed, these claims center on Ripple's planned RLUSD stablecoin and its potential to drive institutional demand for XRP. Analysts cited in the discussion propose that RLUSD is not a replacement for XRP but a tool to expand adoption of the XRP Ledger, with the stablecoin integrated into institutional settlement systems while XRP acts as a bridge asset for cross-border liquidity.
This model could see institutions using RLUSD for settlements while still requiring XRP to move value between currencies, theoretically increasing token demand over time. The discussion also references institutional analyses predicting a shift in the stablecoin market, currently led by USDT and USDC, as new entrants like Ripple target institutional payment flows. Market observers note that RLUSD gaining traction could indirectly boost XRP usage within Ripple's liquidity and settlement processes.
Adding tangible weight to the speculative narrative, XRP is simultaneously attracting significant institutional capital. Data from CoinShares shows XRP-linked products drew $63.1 million in inflows for the week ending February 6, 2026. Year-to-date inflows have reached $109 million, making XRP the most successful asset for institutional allocation in 2026, a period during which Bitcoin saw net withdrawals. This divergence suggests institutions may see durability in XRP's payments utility.
Further context comes from Ripple's outlined plans to build compliance-focused institutional DeFi on the XRP Ledger, where XRP is positioned as both a settlement and bridge asset. CEO Brad Garlinghouse has repeatedly stated XRP remains central to the company's long-term strategy. However, experts warn that interpretations of alleged legal documents framing XRP as an access right within Ripple's ecosystem remain speculative and unverified.
Despite the bullish institutional flows and expansive rumors, price impact remains highly speculative. Some commentators suggest scenarios where XRP could see a "100x" increase if Ripple's expansion scales rapidly, but such projections depend heavily on regulatory approvals, real-world adoption, and transaction growth.
