Ripple’s Hidden Road push and an old prediction from former CTO David Schwartz have raised questions about XRP price growth. | Source: CCN
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Key Takeaways
Ripple’s institutional expansion is gaining attention.
An eight-year-old outlook from former Ripple CTO David Schwartz has resurfaced.
Analysts remain divided on XRP’s price trajectory.
XRP is once again drawing attention from investors as developments surrounding Ripple’s strategy coincide with renewed discussion of an old prediction from the company’s leadership.
The recent addition of Hidden Road — the prime brokerage platform acquired by Ripple last year — to a key clearing directory used by traditional financial institutions has sparked optimism among XRP supporters.
At the same time, comments resurfaced from former Ripple Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz, who years ago outlined how broader adoption of the company’s infrastructure could eventually increase XRP’s price.
Together, the developments have revived debate over whether XRP could revisit the $3 level and beyond.
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Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC was recently added to the National Securities Clearing Corporation’s (NSCC) Market Participant Identifiers directory.
The NSCC, a subsidiary of DTCC, plays a central role in U.S. financial markets by providing clearing, settlement, and risk management services for broker-to-broker trades.
Inclusion in its participant directory signals that a firm is integrated into the infrastructure used by traditional financial institutions for post-trade processing.
— David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) March 3, 2026
Ripple announced plans to acquire Hidden Road in April 2025 and completed the $1.25 billion transaction later that year.
Following the acquisition, the company rebranded the platform as Ripple Prime, positioning it as a global multi-asset prime brokerage.
Ripple previously said the platform’s post-trade activity would eventually connect with the XRP Ledger (XRPL).
An 8-Year-Old Prediction on XRP Boosts Sentiment
The renewed interest in Ripple’s institutional expansion led Schwartz to share a detailed explanation from roughly eight years ago.
At the time, Schwartz addressed a common criticism of Ripple’s technology — that banks could use the company’s payment software without ever needing to hold or transact with XRP itself.
Schwartz explained that Ripple’s banking software could indeed improve cross-border payments without requiring the use of XRP.
However, he argued that XRP could gain value if it became a bridge asset for international payments.
David Schwartz shared his outlook from eight years ago | Source: Quora
Under that model, XRP would act as an intermediary currency connecting different fiat markets.
Schwartz suggested that if the cost advantages became meaningful — even marginally cheaper than existing methods — institutions and corporations could begin holding XRP as working capital for global payments.
That accumulation, he said, would increase demand for the asset.
The strategy closely aligns with Ripple’s current push into institutional financial infrastructure.
With the company now integrating its newly acquired prime brokerage platform into broader financial market plumbing, traders are hoping the move could expand the types of financial flows that eventually interact with the XRP Ledger.
Analysts Say $3 XRP Price Is Possible in 2026
As Ripple pushes deeper into traditional finance rails, some analysts say the developments could strengthen the case for XRP eventually revisiting the $3 level.
Alex Carchidi, a crypto analyst contributor at The Motley Fool, recently argued that XRP could reach $3 again in 2026, noting that the asset has already demonstrated it can trade above that level after hitting an all-time high of $3.65 in 2025.
The analyst pointed to several factors that could influence whether the token regains that price range.
One key variable is the development of the XRPL Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) sidechain, which launched in 2025.
Another factor is Ripple’s continued push into institutional financial services with firm infrastructure offerings through acquisitions and new services.
However, not all analysts share the same optimism about XRP’s near-term outlook.
Dominic Basulto, a crypto analyst at The Motley Fool, warned that the asset could face downside pressure despite renewed interest around Ripple’s institutional expansion.
Basulto noted that XRP has declined significantly from its 2025 peak of $3.65 and remains well below that level, currently trading around the mid-$1 range.
Given the broader weakness in the crypto market, he argued that further price drops remain possible.
In his view, XRP’s price could even fall below the psychologically important $1 level if market conditions deteriorate.
CCN XRP Price Outlook
CCN analyst Abiodun Oladokun noted that while certain indicators — including a declining Network Value to Transactions (NVT) ratio and reduced exchange activity — suggest underlying demand on the XRP Ledger may be strengthening.
“While XRP’s falling NVT ratio and easing exchange activity suggest that underlying demand on the XRPL remains strong, a look at the token’s daily chart reveals that bears still hold the upper hand,” Oladokun wrote.
However, he added that the coin’s Elder-Ray Index has remained deeply negative since mid-January, indicating sustained selling pressure.
According to his analysis, if the bearish trend persists and demand fails to strengthen meaningfully, XRP could slide toward $1.11 during March.
However, a shift in market momentum could push the token above the $1.42 resistance level, potentially opening the door to a move toward $1.61.
At the time of reporting, XRP was trading at $1.40, down roughly 12% in the last month.
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.
