Key Highlights
- Steven McClurg, CEO of Canary Capital, anticipates XRP could reach prices exceeding $2.80 before 2026 ends, supported by a 30% surge in ETF capital.
- Last week saw XRP-focused ETFs attract $60 million in net capital, marking the most robust weekly showing of 2026 and pushing total inflows to $1.39 billion.
- An XRPL mainnet update version 3.1.3 is slated for deployment on May 27, with half of all network nodes already running the upgraded software.
- Major holders added more than 71 million XRP tokens during the previous seven days, while 4,300 fresh addresses emerged within a single day.
- CME Group’s XRP derivatives products recorded $62.87 billion in notional trading activity during their inaugural year, maintaining a daily average of $238 million.
Ripple’s native token is presently changing hands between $1.36 and $1.40, with traders eyeing a critical barrier at the $1.40 level. While institutional participation remains consistent, the asset has traded within a narrow range recently.
During its first twelve months, CME Group’s XRP futures platform generated over $62.87 billion in notional value. Daily trading averaged approximately $238 million, encompassing roughly 1.32 million contracts and representing aggregate exposure near 28.6 billion XRP tokens.
Speaking to media outlets this week, Canary Capital’s Steven McClurg suggested XRP could “probably double in price by the end of the year.” Based on present valuations hovering around $1.40, such a move would push XRP beyond $2.80 before year-end.
McClurg further anticipated a 30% expansion in ETF participation by December. However, he cautioned the journey wouldn’t follow a linear path, characterizing the approaching summer months as “a tough summer for equities and crypto across the board.”
His outlook encompasses three distinct phases. Initially, challenging summer conditions. Subsequently, a deceleration during midterm campaign season as investors redirect capital away from markets. Finally, a post-election rally fueled by ETF momentum, implementation of the CLARITY Act, and expanding real-world asset tokenization.
XRP-backed ETFs captured $60 million in fresh capital last week, representing 2026’s strongest seven-day performance. Total accumulated inflows have now reached $1.39 billion.
Network Metrics Show Growing Engagement
Blockchain analytics provider Santiment identified a notable increase in XRP network expansion this week. Santiment’s data reveals 4,300 newly established wallets appeared during a 24-hour window — ranking as 2026’s fourth-largest single-day spike. The firm emphasized that network expansion serves as a primary indicator for detecting potential price trend reversals.
Large holder activity also demonstrated accumulation patterns. Blockchain monitoring reveals major addresses acquired over 71 million XRP throughout the past week, although the accumulation rate has moderated relative to earlier monthly activity.
Major XRPL Network Update Approaching May 27
The XRP Ledger faces a scheduled mainnet enhancement on May 27 at 03:49 AM UTC. Version 3.1.3 incorporates the fixCleanup3_1_3 amendment, resolving technical issues affecting NFTs, Permissioned Domains, Vaults, and the Lending Protocol infrastructure.
Currently, half of all network nodes operate the updated software version. Validators have achieved complete consensus regarding the amendment. Nodes failing to implement the upgrade face becoming “amendment-blocked,” rendering them incapable of processing transactions or engaging in consensus activities.
David Schwartz, Ripple’s CTO Emeritus, has responded to community questions surrounding the upgrade. This enhancement aligns with XRPL’s broader development agenda encompassing tokenized real-world assets, permissioned decentralized exchange functionality, and post-quantum cryptographic security initiatives.
Derivatives market participants maintain optimistic positions on potential movement toward $1.40 before month-end. Futures open interest has climbed in the period leading to the upgrade, though diminished spot market activity continues signaling caution for near-term price momentum.
Market analyst CRYPTOWZRD observed that a validated breakthrough above $1.40 would establish a trajectory toward $1.55, with further advancement past $1.55 potentially targeting the $2.00 threshold.
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