Ripple’s recent acquisition of prime brokerage powerhouse Hidden Road has shaken the crypto space and rekindled ambitious price projections for XRP—some as high as $50 before 2026.
Crypto trader and market commentator Xaif, in a bold statement via X, suggested that the stars may finally be aligning for XRP, not through speculation, but through institutional-grade infrastructure and massive capital inflows. The reason? Hidden Road processes over $3 trillion annually for some of the world’s top financial institutions—and Ripple just brought it into the XRP ecosystem.
$XRP TO $50 BEFORE 2026 ??
Bitcoin maxis' reaction got real when Ripple acquired Hidden Road — a firm that processes $3 trillion in transactions annually. Now, everything is set to flow through the XRPLedger.
“Fake it till you make it.” but they just make it
But XRP?… pic.twitter.com/3OxzaUqhEC— 𝕏aif
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(@Xaif_Crypto) April 10, 2025
The Ripple-Hidden Road Power Move
The acquisition of Hidden Road for $1.25 billion stands as one of the largest in crypto history, not just in dollar terms but in strategic significance. Hidden Road acts as a non-bank prime broker for more than 300 leading financial institutions, providing access to both traditional markets and digital assets.
According to Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse, the firm has been a long-time Ripple customer, and the acquisition will now integrate the XRP Ledger (XRPL) into its clearing infrastructure, with RLUSD (Ripple’s upcoming stablecoin) set to be used as collateral.
This development opens the floodgates for cross-asset trading, where XRPL becomes the rails for institutional-grade clearing. It’s no longer just about retail traders speculating on XRP. It’s about integrating XRP into the plumbing of global finance.
Why $50 XRP Is Gaining Credibility
While XRP price targets have historically attracted skepticism, the idea of a $50 XRP is not as far-fetched in light of this latest development. Xaif underscores that Bitcoin maximalists, who often downplay XRP’s utility, have gone unusually quiet in response to the Hidden Road news. “Fake it till you make it,” Xaif quips, “but they [Ripple] just make it.”
The math behind the $50 projection begins to make sense when one considers capital inflows from institutional clients. If even a fraction of Hidden Road’s $3 trillion annual volume is routed through XRPL—using XRP as a bridge asset or RLUSD as collateral—XRP’s utility demand would skyrocket. With increasing use, particularly for settlement and liquidity provisioning, the upward price pressure becomes more than just speculative; it becomes functional and systemic.
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Timeline: Before 2026?
Xaif’s projection places 2026 as the outer boundary for this rally. The timing isn’t arbitrary. It aligns with several significant market catalysts:
Macroeconomic easing is expected to resume as central banks pivot from tightening. Also, Ripple’s regulatory clarity in the U.S. is creating an environment of reduced legal overhang.
Tokenization of real-world assets and stablecoin issuance are gaining steam, and Ripple is positioning XRPL at the heart of this revolution.
Bitcoin’s current cycle is expected to climax between late 2025 and early 2026. If XRP rides this macro wave with institutional tailwinds, it may reach unprecedented price territory.
XRPL’s Strategic Advantage
Unlike many Layer 1 networks chasing hype, XRPL has carved out a specific, highly valuable niche: fast, low-cost, interoperable settlement for financial institutions. With RLUSD set to become an on-chain stable collateral option and the growing narrative around ISO 20022 compliance, XRP is no longer just a crypto asset—it’s becoming a financial utility token.
Ripple’s vision has always been to embed itself in the backend of financial infrastructure. This move brings that vision closer to fruition. It’s not just Ripple using XRPL anymore—it’s Ripple + Hidden Road + 300 institutions with trillions in capital flows.
A New Era for XRP
Xaif’s prediction of XRP reaching $50 before 2026 isn’t just hyperbole—it’s built on a shifting landscape where Ripple’s enterprise strategy is finally converging with global financial adoption. The Hidden Road acquisition isn’t a headline grabber; it’s a paradigm shift. And in this new era, XRP isn’t following trends—it’s setting them.
If this integration unfolds as planned, the $50 target could become less of a moonshot and more of a milestone.
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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