XRP has recently undergone a shift in how it is perceived by institutional investors, according to Steven McClurg, Chief Executive Officer of Canary Capital.
During a discussion on the AInvest podcast hosted by Adam Shapiro, McClurg explained that XRP was previously an asset he followed casually rather than one that commanded active investment consideration. However, developments over the last two years have altered that stance significantly.
McClurg noted that Canary Capital had long been aware of XRP’s presence in the digital asset market, but awareness did not equate to conviction. For much of that time, the firm prioritized other opportunities it believed offered clearer paths to adoption or stronger investment narratives. XRP, while familiar, did not initially meet those criteria from an institutional perspective.
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What Triggered the Shift in Perspective
According to McClurg, the change in outlook stemmed from measurable progress in how the XRP Ledger is being used rather than speculative price movements.
He pointed to Ripple’s consistent efforts to position the network as a functional infrastructure for real-world financial activity. Over time, this has included facilitating stablecoin transactions and supporting tokenized representations of real-world assets.
This expansion in practical usage prompted Canary Capital to reassess XRP’s role in the broader digital finance ecosystem. McClurg emphasized that institutional investors are increasingly focused on whether a blockchain network can support real economic activity at scale.
In his view, the XRP Ledger has moved closer to meeting those expectations, which has elevated XRP from a passive monitoring position to one that warrants deeper analysis.
Positioning Within Real-World Asset Tokenization
McClurg believes that XRP is becoming increasingly relevant within the growing market for tokenized real-world assets. From Canary Capital’s standpoint, the XRP Ledger shows alignment with traditional financial systems in a way that many blockchain platforms do not.
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This alignment, he argued, could make XRP a practical choice for institutions looking to tokenize assets such as financial instruments or other regulated products.
He contrasted this trajectory with that of other crypto projects that remain largely confined to decentralized or experimental use cases. While those networks may serve important roles, McClurg suggested that XRP’s closer connection to established financial processes provides it with a clearer institutional narrative.
The conversation also addressed other networks under Canary Capital’s watch. McClurg mentioned Hedera as an example of a protocol attracting interest for different reasons. While XRP is increasingly tied to financial market applications, Hedera, in his view, is oriented toward enterprise data and software use cases. This distinction allows both networks to occupy different segments of the institutional market rather than competing directly.
Regulatory Clarity and Market Differentiation
McClurg expects regulatory developments to play a critical role in reshaping crypto market dynamics. He suggested that clearer rules could reduce the tendency for digital assets to move in lockstep, allowing prices to better reflect actual usage and adoption levels.
Under such conditions, McClurg anticipates that networks like XRP, Solana, and Hedera could be valued based on how effectively they serve real-world needs. Bitcoin, by contrast, may continue to be influenced by different factors, including operational and energy-related considerations. This divergence, he believes, could begin to emerge more clearly by 2026.
While cautious on Bitcoin’s near-term trajectory, McClurg expressed confidence in XRP’s growth potential. He stated that increasing use of the XRP Ledger could support a price level around $5 sometime in 2026. This projection is tied to adoption trends rather than short-term speculation.
For McClurg, XRP’s evolution reflects a broader shift in how institutional investors evaluate digital assets. What was once a token observed from a distance has become, in his assessment, a serious contender in the next stage of crypto adoption driven by practical financial applications rather than hype alone.
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 urged to do in-depth 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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