Key Takeaways
- YoungHoon Kim, who claims an IQ of 276, is calling XRP a “super cycle.”
- Kim has been vocal about XRP in recent months, predicting it could outperform gold and silver in 2026.
- Ripple has secured key regulatory approvals from the U.K.’s FCA.
The self-proclaimed “world’s smartest man,” YoungHoon Kim, is again spreading bullish predictions for XRP, saying the token has entered a “super cycle.”
Kim’s comments come as Ripple, the blockchain payments company behind the token, announced an expansion of its cross-border payment services to the U.K.
XRP Super Cycle?
Kim, who claims an IQ of 276, made the comments in a series of posts on X, including a statement that “XRP is in a super cycle.”
In a previous post, Kim wrote that “it’s time for XRP. From now on.”
A “super cycle” refers to an extended period of strong upward momentum that significantly outpaces normal market growth, often driven by macroeconomic trends.
The notion of a crypto “super cycle” has gained traction among prominent market figures in recent months.
This term has been mentioned by Fundstrat and Bitmine’s co-founder Tom Lee, Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood, and most recently Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.
In response to the SEC removing crypto from 2026 priority risk list, CZ wrote: “I could be wrong, but Super Cycle incoming.”
Tom Lee said in November that he believed Ethereum was embarking on the same super cycle as Bitcoin from 2017.
“The path higher is not a straight line,” he wrote on X.
XRP Super Cycle, XRP Bullishness
Kim has been increasingly vocal about XRP’s potential.
Earlier this month, he wrote that the cryptocurrency may outperform precious metals in 2026, noting, “My prediction: XRP may outperform gold and silver in 2026.”
He added that while gold and silver were currently “pumping,” XRP would be “next.”
The comments mark a shift from Kim’s prior focus on Bitcoin, with whom he had previously engaged in frequent comparisons.
He has also suggested that XRP could approach $1,000 over the next decade under certain macroeconomic scenarios, citing a potential decline in the U.S. dollar and sustained inflation.
Ripple Expands Cross-Border Payments
The predictions come as Ripple announced a significant regulatory milestone, obtaining approval for its Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence and crypto asset registration from the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The new approvals allow Ripple to extend its licenced cross-border payments platform to U.K. institutions, enabling them to send international payments using digital assets efficiently.
“Finance is undergoing a fundamental shift, and we are rapidly moving beyond pilots into a new era where blockchain and digital assets serve as critical infrastructure for the global economy,” said Monica Long, President at Ripple.
Adding: “Extending Ripple’s licensing portfolio and payments solution is about more than just efficiency; it is about unlocking trillions in dormant capital and realizing a world where value moves instantaneously.”
The firm said the new licence approvals “underscore the company’s deep and ongoing commitment to the U.K.,” with Ripple’s biggest office outside of the U.S. has been in London since 2016.
“Securing approvals from the FCA is a pivotal moment for Ripple, enabling us to provide essential digital assets infrastructure to U.K. businesses,” said Cassie Craddock, Managing Director, U.K. & Europe at Ripple.
“We have seen in other jurisdictions how regulatory clarity drives adoption, and the U.K. is poised to take advantage.”
What About XRP’s Price?
From a technical perspective, XRP’s price is showing signals that have not appeared in months, according to CCN analyst Victor Olanrewaju.
“XRP’s recent technical signals suggest that demand could increase if the current sentiment holds,” Olanrewaju said in a recent report.
“Although the price recently fell below the critical $2 support level, bulls are likely to continue defending this floor,” he added. “If the momentum sustains, we could see XRP break out above $2.49, with the next potential target around $3.26.”
Olanrewaju cautioned, however, that failure to maintain support at $2 could invalidate the bullish outlook.
“If XRP falls below $2, it might decline toward $1.50, potentially erasing gains achieved so far in 2026,” he added.
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.
