XRP ETF inflows could exceed $8.3 billion by 2026, says Standard Chartered

  • NAV benchmarks for BTC and ETH ETFs underpin the forecast.
  • SEC’s final deadline for XRP ETF approval is 12 October.
  • Polymarket data shows a 79% chance of approval by year-end.

Anticipation over an XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) is building in the crypto sector as analysts weigh up potential inflows, market impacts, and regulatory dynamics.

While rumours and delays have shaped much of the recent conversation, data-driven forecasts from key institutions now offer a clearer picture.

Standard Chartered Bank projects that a US-listed XRP spot ETF could attract between $4.4 billion and $8.3 billion in inflows within its first year, based on net asset value benchmarks seen in existing Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.

This projection, while optimistic, comes with caution from others in the market.

Standard Chartered bases its projection on ETF benchmarks

Standard Chartered’s head of digital assets research, Geoff Kendrick, said NAV-to-market-cap ratios from already approved US spot ETFs were used to model potential XRP ETF inflows.

Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs currently show NAVs of around 6% and 3% of their respective market caps.

Applying these ratios to XRP’s market capitalisation results in a $4.4 billion to $8.3 billion range.

Kendrick highlighted data from Bitwise ETPs in Europe, where XRP, Solana, and Litecoin trade alongside BTC and ETH.

He noted that altcoins account for a greater share of ETP NAV relative to their market caps, although this may reflect the lower number of products available for altcoins compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum.

XRP price forecast revised amid ETF optimism

Based on anticipated ETF inflows, Standard Chartered forecasts a significant XRP price increase.

The bank expects XRP to rise to $5.50 by the end of 2025 and reach $8.00 by 2026.

The target for 2029 is set at $12.25.

This forecast assumes XRP ETF approval and a general continuation of growth in digital asset investment vehicles.

For comparison, Kendrick noted that Bitcoin could reach $120,000 in Q2 2025, $200,000 by the end of the year, and $500,000 by 2028.

XRP is expected to keep pace, albeit with lower overall adoption and inflation differences.

XRP’s current inflation rate stands at 6%, compared to Bitcoin’s 0.8%.

Bitfinex analysts issue cautious counterpoint

Despite bullish projections, not all market observers are convinced that XRP ETFs would generate the same excitement as Bitcoin products.

Analysts from crypto exchange Bitfinex argue that investor interest may be spread thin across a growing list of altcoin ETFs.

As such, XRP might not see inflows comparable to Bitcoin, even if approved.

Their caution reflects broader concerns about ETF market saturation and regulatory clarity.

While Bitcoin enjoys legal clarity as a commodity, XRP has faced classification issues and legal disputes that may influence investor confidence.

Timeline for XRP ETF approval remains uncertain

Several financial firms, including Grayscale, WisdomTree, Bitwise, Canary, and 21Shares have filed for XRP ETFs with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Bitwise’s application was officially acknowledged on 18 February, setting a maximum deadline of 240 days, or 12 October, for a final decision.

This mirrors the timeline applied to Bitcoin spot ETFs earlier in 2024.

However, other altcoin ETF applications such as those for Solana and Litecoin could impact when an XRP decision is made.

According to Kendrick, Litecoin may be prioritised given its similarity to Bitcoin and its historical treatment as a commodity.

Polymarket data shows that as of now, the probability of XRP ETF approval by 31 July is 39%, rising to 79% by the end of the year.

Analysts including Bloomberg’s Eric Balchunas suggest Litecoin could be the first among altcoins to secure approval, followed by HBAR and eventually XRP and Solana, which face unresolved security classification challenges.

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Japan’s Metaplanet issues $24.8 million in bonds to boost Bitcoin holdings past 5,000 BTC

  • The funds raised will be specifically allocated for further Bitcoin purchases.
  • The bonds were sold in full to EVO FUND.
  • The bonds offer investors the potential for early repayment if certain conditions are met.

Tokyo-based Metaplanet is taking steps to expand its cryptocurrency portfolio by issuing ¥3.6 billion (approximately $24.8 million) in bonds to fund the acquisition of more Bitcoin (BTC).

This move comes as the Japanese hotel firm’s Bitcoin holdings surpass the 5,000 BTC mark.

The bonds, which carry no interest, are set to be redeemed at their par value on October 31, 2025, or earlier, if the bondholder requests repayment.

The funds raised will be specifically allocated for further Bitcoin purchases, continuing the company’s earlier strategy to increase its digital asset investments.

The bonds were sold in full to EVO FUND, a move Metaplanet hopes will help support its growing Bitcoin strategy.

While the bonds carry no interest, they offer investors the potential for early repayment if certain conditions are met.

Specifically, Metaplanet plans to use capital raised through stock acquisition rights to redeem the bonds.

This means the company’s ability to repay the bonds hinges on the demand for its equity-linked instruments, highlighting a potential reliance on investor sentiment and market conditions.

Metaplanet’s recent bond issuance underscores the growing trend of companies integrating Bitcoin into their financial strategies.

With cryptocurrency markets gaining momentum, the company’s move aligns with the broader trend of corporate adoption of digital assets as a store of value.

As Metaplanet’s share price recently rose by 8.6%, investors are keeping a close eye on how the company’s Bitcoin purchases will impact its financial performance in the coming years.

In an era where digital currencies are becoming more mainstream, Metaplanet’s decision to use bonds for Bitcoin acquisition marks a noteworthy step toward integrating cryptocurrency into corporate balance sheets.

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ETF speculation around Dogecoin, XRP drives spike in investor optimism

  • Santiment’s social data indicates a marked shift in favor of both Dogecoin and XRP.
  • Social commentary can play a crucial role in shaping trading strategies.
  • For XRP, the mood remains overwhelmingly bullish.

Investor optimism for Dogecoin (DOGE) and XRP is rapidly growing, fueled by rising social sentiment and speculation surrounding the potential approval of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) based on these cryptocurrencies.

According to recent data from Santiment, positive chatter surrounding both DOGE and XRP is intensifying, contributing to a sharp shift in market outlook.

This growing confidence in the two tokens suggests a potential bullish phase for the coins, despite regulatory hurdles that still loom.

Santiment’s social data indicates a marked shift in favor of both Dogecoin and XRP, particularly in online discussions and crowd sentiment.

Social commentary can play a crucial role in shaping trading strategies, as positive discussions often support upward price momentum, while negative sentiment can influence bearish trades.

For XRP, the mood remains overwhelmingly bullish, with very few bearish voices despite a drop in overall social discussions for the token compared to other major cryptocurrencies.

The perceived probability of a spot XRP ETF approval by the end of 2025 has surged to 85%, a notable increase from 65% just two months ago, according to Polymarket.

DOGE and XRP are poised to benefit from this shift in sentiment

This rising confidence comes even as the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has delayed decisions on the spot DOGE and XRP ETF proposals until June 17, 2025.

Despite this, technical analysis shows strong accumulation patterns, suggesting that the market remains positive.

Both DOGE and XRP appear poised to benefit from this shift in sentiment as investors remain optimistic about future regulatory outcomes.

Dogecoin, in particular, has experienced a dramatic rise in social dominance following ETF filings by 21Shares and Bitwise in April.

Before late April, DOGE was languishing in a period of low social attention, but the recent filings have sparked renewed interest, pushing its social dominance to a three-month high.

The support from the House of Doge and the Dogecoin Foundation for the 21Shares application has further solidified DOGE’s credibility as a serious investment option, shedding its “memecoin” image.

Traders and analysts are now noticing heavy accumulation by large holders, or “whales,” and bullish patterns emerging on the charts, fueling speculation that Dogecoin could be entering a new growth phase.

While other tokens like Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and Binance Coin (BNB) are seeing mixed social signals, the positive momentum surrounding DOGE and XRP reflects a broader market shift toward digital assets.

As Dogecoin and XRP ETFs continue to capture investor attention, the market’s sentiment remains bullish, with both tokens poised to make waves in the coming months.

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PepeX presale raises $1.83 million as Solana memecoins rally

  • PepeX presale has raised over $1.83 million.
  • Stage 6 tokens are priced at $0.0255, up from $0.02 at launch.
  • Forecasts place PepeX at $0.30–$0.50 by 2026 if momentum continues.

PepeX, a new AI-powered meme coin launchpad on the Solana blockchain, has raised over $1.83 million since its presale began on 24 March.

With a capped supply of 5 billion tokens and strong emphasis on fairness and decentralisation, PepeX is positioning itself as a next-generation alternative in a rapidly evolving memecoin market.

The project arrives as interest in Solana-based memecoins such as Dogwifhat and Bonk continues to surge.

PepeX’s presale structure, featuring dynamic pricing and stage-based increases, has caught investor attention.

It offers early buyers a potential return of over 240% if it lists at its planned $0.085 price.

With the public platform set to launch in Q3 2025, all eyes are on whether PEPX can outperform rivals like Myro and rise beyond its meme status.

PepeX: Why should you invest in this?

PepeX’s presale runs for 90 days, with 50% of the 5 billion token supply allocated to early investors.

By early April, the project had raised more than $1.25 million from the sale of around 62.5 million tokens.

Stage 5 of the presale saw tokens priced at $0.0243, while Stage 6 began on 8 April at $0.0255.

Each presale stage lasts three days, with token prices increasing by roughly 5% per stage.

At this pace, the final presale stage could hit a token price of approximately $0.0823.

If the token lists on exchanges at the projected $0.085, early participants from Stage 5 stand to gain around 240% to 311%, depending on their entry point.

The platform also promises anti-sniping protections, liquidity locks, automated smart contract audits, and a fair launch model where the team holds just 5% of the total supply—an unusually low figure for meme coins.

Dogwifhat and Bonk boost Solana meme sentiment

While PepeX is still in presale, established Solana-based memecoins have been rallying. Bonk saw a 26% rise in the week ending 23 April, while Dogwifhat gained around 30%.

At the end of April, Bonk was trading near $0.0000188 with a market cap of roughly $1.49 billion.

Dogwifhat, priced around $0.616, had a market cap of approximately $620 million.

These surges were supported by a broader altcoin rally driven by Bitcoin nearing $95,000 in early March.

Both Bonk and Dogwifhat have benefited from widespread listings, active community support, and integration into Solana’s DeFi and gaming ecosystems.

This meme-led momentum on Solana has created the perfect launch window for newcomers like PepeX to capitalise on demand for high-upside tokens.

PepeX price forecast

Short-term projections suggest PepeX could reach between $0.09 and $0.14 within one to three months of launch.

Medium-term estimates place the token at $0.15 to $0.25 within six months, and potentially between $0.30 and $0.50 by 2026.

That long-term estimate would translate to gains of over 1,000% for Stage 1 presale investors.

However, analysts caution that short-term pullbacks are possible.

Some expect early investors to take profits at listing, which could push the price temporarily back toward $0.0198—just below its initial $0.02 presale level.

PepeX’s future depends on its ability to deliver a working launchpad and attract meme creators and users to its ecosystem.

With its unique combination of AI tools, tokenomics, and fair launch approach, the token is positioned to capture attention in an increasingly competitive landscape.

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Bybit-FXStreet report sees gold hitting $4,000 by end-2025

  • Bybit and FXStreet have released a joint report forecasting that gold could rise to $4,000 per ounce by the end of 2025.
  • The report comes on the heels of gold reaching an all-time high of around $3,500 per ounce.
  • The report also points to silver as a compelling diversification opportunity.

Bybit and FXStreet have released a joint report forecasting that gold could rise to $4,000 per ounce by the end of 2025, driven by a combination of macroeconomic pressures, technical momentum, and increasing investor aversion to traditional assets.

The report comes on the heels of gold reaching an all-time high of around $3,500 per ounce last month, marking a 26% gain year-to-date and a 41% jump over the past 12 months.

Over the same period, the S&P 500 has declined 11%, highlighting gold’s renewed strength as a safe-haven asset.

Safe-haven demand intensifies

Investors are reallocating capital into gold in response to persistent inflation, a weakening US dollar, and deteriorating real returns in equity and bond markets.

The metal’s traditional role as a hedge against currency devaluation has resurfaced, with both central banks and private investors seeking shelter from fiat instability.

Adding to this flight to safety are escalating concerns over US trade policy under President Donald Trump, which has reignited fears of a global tariff war.

The report added:

By serving as a neutral reserve asset, gold provides much-needed stability amid shifting trade patterns and geopolitical tensions.

The report notes that capital is being pulled from vulnerable currencies—including the euro, yen, yuan, and peso—into gold, which offers liquidity and political neutrality.

Bullish technical setup

From a technical standpoint, indicators remain supportive of further gains.

The MACD remains in positive territory, with the 12-day moving average above the 26-day, signaling sustained bullish momentum.

Meanwhile, the RSI at 60 reflects ongoing strength without tipping into overbought levels.

Analysts expect gold to consolidate near $3,500, a key resistance level, before targeting $4,000 by year-end, assuming macroeconomic and geopolitical headwinds persist.

Silver: the overlooked hedge

The report also points to silver as a compelling diversification opportunity.

Though trailing gold in performance, silver remains well below its 2011 peak of $50 per ounce and may benefit from both defensive capital flows and rising industrial demand, particularly from green energy and infrastructure sectors.

For investors seeking broader exposure, silver’s asymmetric upside presents an attractive hedge.

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