Crypto researcher SMQKE has outlined a case for a higher XRP price based on two factors: growing adoption and declining supply.
In a recent post on X, SMQKE said XRP’s future price will be determined by “adoption, utility, and scarcity,” while referring readers to a video that walks through the documents behind the argument.
The video begins with the size of the cross-border payments market. SMQKE cites Delphi Digital, which used a McKinsey estimate that placed global cross-border payments at $155 trillion in 2018 and projected the market could reach around $230 trillion by 2028.
SMQKE then connects that market to XRP’s potential use in payment settlement. The video references a Ripple Labs paper stating that the company’s business model was based on the belief that demand for XRP could increase, with price appreciation possible if the Ripple protocol achieved widespread adoption.
This is the path to a higher-priced XRP.✅
XRP’s future price will determined by adoption, utility, and scarcity.📈
The documented walkthrough.📝👇 pic.twitter.com/Ly1kHcyFgV
— SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) October 12, 2026
The Role of XRP in Payments
The video explains that SWIFT can carry payment messages between banks while RippleNet can operate separately as a settlement layer. According to SMQKE, XRP can bridge different currencies during that settlement process.
The researcher also says banks do not need a direct partnership between SWIFT and Ripple to access such infrastructure. The video points to core banking systems such as Temenos, SAP and CGI, which can connect through APIs and process payment messages such as MT-103.
SMQKE further cites Gibraltar Asset Management, which reports that Ripple Payments connects more than 300 banks, payment providers and financial institutions, including Santander, Standard Chartered and Bank of America.
The video then turns to XRP Ledger transaction fees. SMQKE explains that each transaction requires a small fee paid in XRP, and that the protocol destroys that fee. As transaction activity increases, more XRP would therefore be removed from circulation.
Fixed Supply and Transaction Burns
SMQKE places particular emphasis on XRP’s 100 billion maximum supply. The video states that the XRP Ledger protocol does not allow additional XRP to be created, meaning every XRP permanently destroyed through transaction fees reduces the remaining supply.
The researcher also cites an academic paper discussing Ripple and SWIFT, which states that XRP’s transaction-based destruction could gradually reduce the total supply. SMQKE presents this alongside the demand created by increased network usage.
The video also references Gibraltar Asset Management’s view that greater XRP usage creates higher transactional demand. SMQKE describes this as a network effect and cites Zagari, who argues that increased token usage and deeper network activity could support a higher XRP price.
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Regulatory Uncertainty Also Enters the Argument
SMQKE also addresses the regulatory uncertainty that affected XRP in the United States. The video cites Gibraltar Asset Management’s assessment that Ripple’s 2025 resolution with the SEC removed a major obstacle that had affected XRP’s price and exchange support.
The researcher ultimately brings the argument back to the same two factors: greater payment activity could increase demand for XRP, while transaction fees permanently remove small amounts of the fixed supply.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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