Key Takeaways
- XRP sentiment has turned sharply bearish.
- Standard Chartered remains one of the most bullish banks on XRP in the long term.
- AI models ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok weigh in.
XRP’s path to a potential $28 valuation by 2030 is facing renewed scrutiny after crypto analytics platform Santiment reported a sharp downturn in trader sentiment and declining whale accumulation, even as some banks continue experimenting with Ripple’s blockchain infrastructure.
The token, currently trading far below bullish long-term forecasts, has become a focal point for debate over whether institutional adoption of Ripple’s ecosystem can translate into meaningful demand for XRP itself.
Bearish Sentiment Returns
Crypto data firm Santiment said XRP’s crowd sentiment has “swung sharply negative again,” with the ratio of positive to negative commentary falling to just 1.1 bullish comments for every bearish one.
Historically, Santiment argued that extreme pessimism around XRP has often acted as a contrarian signal.
“When traders across social media become overly fearful, many weak hands have already sold, reducing selling pressure and creating conditions for a rebound,” Santiment wrote on X.
The analytics platform added that previous drops into what it described as the “FUD zone” were “frequently followed by price stabilization or bounces shortly afterward.”
At the same time, Santiment warned that periods of excessive optimism have historically preceded local market tops.
“When the positive-to-negative sentiment ratio rises deep into the ‘FOMO zone,’ it usually means traders are becoming overly confident and aggressively buying based on fear of missing out,” the firm said.
XRP Price Bullish Predictions In Focus
Most analysts project that XRP will trade in a range of $5 to $8.70 by 2027.
Standard Chartered has emerged as one of the most bullish voices in the space, forecasting XRP could reach roughly $7 by the end of 2027 and potentially climb to $28 by 2030.
In February, the firm cut its year-end 2026 XRP price target to $2.80 from $8.00, according to a research note.
In January, Ripple’s former Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz pushed back on extreme price projections circulating within the XRP community.
Responding to a question on X about whether levels of around $100 were achievable, Schwartz declined to endorse the idea.
“I don’t feel comfortable saying something like that,” he wrote.
“While I don’t think it’s likely, I didn’t think it was likely that XRP would ever hit $0.25.”
AI Models Weigh XRP Price’s Chances
To explore whether XRP can realistically reach $28 or more by 2030, we asked three leading AI models to assess the credibility of the bullish forecasts.
ChatGPT’s View
ChatGPT said a move toward $28 would require XRP to undergo significant changes.
“The biggest issue for XRP is whether institutional adoption of Ripple’s infrastructure actually translates into sustained demand for the token,” ChatGPT said.
The AI noted that much of Ripple’s institutional interest has centered on the blockchain network rather than XRP itself.
“Using the ledger without needing significant amounts of XRP creates a disconnect between network growth and token value,” the model explained.
However, ChatGPT said regulatory clarity could change sentiment over the longer term.
“If XRP secures clearer legal standing in the US and attracts major ETF inflows, the token could re-enter a strong multi-year growth cycle,” the AI added.
Claude’s View
Claude took a more cautious stance, arguing that the scale required for a $28 valuation of XRP remains difficult to justify.
“At $28, XRP would be approaching one of the largest market capitalizations in financial history,” Claude said.
The AI pointed to concerns that many bullish projections assume institutional adoption automatically creates token demand.
Claude also highlighted the importance of investor psychology.
“Sentiment cycles matter heavily in crypto markets, and XRP’s community has historically experienced extreme swings between optimism and pessimism,” the model said.
However, Claude acknowledged that crypto markets have exceeded expectations in the past.
“In digital assets, improbable scenarios cannot be dismissed entirely if macro liquidity and regulatory conditions turn favorable,” it added.
Grok’s View
Grok struck a more skeptical tone about near-term price targets while acknowledging XRP’s strong retail following.
“XRP hitting $28 by 2030 isn’t impossible, but traders are pricing in a lot of things going perfectly all at once,” Grok said.
The AI pointed to declining sentiment data and weaker whale activity as signs that conviction has softened after earlier rallies.
“You need regulatory wins, ETF demand, real institutional token usage, and a broader crypto bull market all lining up together,” Grok added.
The model also emphasized the scale of the valuation challenge.
“That kind of market cap would put XRP in territory usually reserved for the biggest companies and assets on Earth,” it said.
“Possible in crypto? Maybe.”
Kurt Robson is a London-based reporter at CCN, specialising in the fast-moving worlds of crypto and emerging technology. He began his career covering local news in Cornwall after graduating from Falmouth University with First Class Honours in Journalism. There, he cut his teeth on everything from council meetings to missing swans.
He quickly rose through the ranks to become a frontline journalist at several of the UK’s leading national newspapers. Over the years, he has interviewed musicians and celebrities, reported from courtrooms and crime scenes, and secured multiple front-page exclusives.
Following the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kurt shifted his focus to technology journalism—just ahead of the AI boom. With a natural curiosity and a trained eye for emerging trends, he has found a new rhythm in reporting on innovation.
At CCN, Kurt's work focuses on the cutting edge of crypto, blockchain, AI, and the evolving digital world. Drawing on his background in people-first reporting and his deep interest in disruptive tech, Kurt delivers stories that are insightful, entertaining, and human-centric.
