XRP Targets $15 as Ripple Clears Key Banking Hurdle Before Major Swell Event

Ripple has received final U.S. regulatory approval for its national trust bank, strengthening its push into traditional financial services as Swell 2026 begins in New York. The development has renewed attention on XRP, with investors watching whether the company’s regulatory progress, institutional partnerships, and growing ETF demand could help drive the token toward higher price levels.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) granted final approval to Ripple National Trust Bank on October 26, following conditional approval in December 2025. The decision advances Ripple’s plans to expand institutional digital asset custody and oversee reserves backing its RLUSD stablecoin.

Ripple’s Federal Trust Bank Approval Marks a New Milestone

The approval represents another step in Ripple’s efforts to bring blockchain-based financial services into the regulated banking system. Ripple National Trust Bank is expected to manage segregated reserves supporting RLUSD, serve as collateral trustee for holders of the stablecoin, and provide fiduciary custody services for digital assets.

RLUSD will continue to be issued by Standard Custody & Trust Company under New York state regulation. The additional federal oversight strengthens the regulatory framework surrounding Ripple’s stablecoin and institutional offerings. Since launching in December 2024, RLUSD has reportedly reached a market capitalization of $2.5 billion.

For XRP, Ripple’s expanding operations across payments, custody, stablecoins, and capital markets could create new opportunities for institutional adoption. Greater use of the company’s infrastructure may encourage more financial institutions to explore the XRP Ledger, potentially supporting ecosystem activity and liquidity.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has repeatedly stressed the importance of connecting the cryptocurrency industry with traditional financial institutions. The latest approval adds regulatory support to that strategy as industry leaders gather to discuss the next stage of digital finance.

XRP ETFs Record $1.8 Billion in Cumulative Net Inflows

U.S. spot XRP exchange-traded funds have accumulated approximately $1.8 billion in net inflows, highlighting the growing role of regulated investment products in providing institutional exposure to XRP. Their combined net assets stood at $1.48 billion.

Recent data indicates that investors continued allocating capital to these products. Between October 19 and October 23, XRP ETFs recorded $4.3 million in net inflows, including $3.5 million on October 22. The October 23 session ended without net creations or redemptions.

These funds allow investors to gain exposure to XRP through traditional investment channels without directly holding the token or managing blockchain transactions. Continued demand could therefore become an important factor in XRP’s institutional investment outlook.

Ripple Swell 2026 adds another potential catalyst. The annual conference runs from October 27 to October 29 in New York, alongside the XRP Ledger developer conference Apex and a gathering associated with the University Blockchain Research Initiative.

Ripple expects the event to attract more than 1,500 attendees, with over 100 speakers and more than 80 sessions. Discussions will focus on capital markets, payment settlement, tokenization, stablecoins, cryptocurrency ETFs, and practical applications for XRP.

Announcements involving institutional payments, custody infrastructure, tokenized assets, or new investment products could strengthen confidence in Ripple’s ecosystem. Such developments may also influence expectations for future XRP demand.

Could XRP Rally to $15?

Technical analyst Javon Marks has outlined a bullish XRP price scenario targeting $15, drawing comparisons between the token’s current chart structure and its historic rally in 2017.

In July 2026, Marks pointed to the approximately 2,872% gain XRP achieved during that earlier breakout. Applying a similar increase to XRP’s November 2024 breakout level near $0.50 resulted in his $15 projection.

Reaching that level would require a substantial rally and a renewed period of strong price discovery. Growing institutional participation, sustained ETF inflows, and positive announcements from Ripple could strengthen the bullish outlook, although none of these developments guarantees the projected price.

Another analyst, Chad Steingraber, has previously suggested that XRP could rise from $2 to $10 in less than a year. His forecast cited ETF demand and the possibility of faster price discovery as institutional investment expands.

Swell 2026 provides Ripple with an opportunity to reinforce these expectations through potential announcements involving banking relationships, RLUSD adoption, and institutional services built around the XRP Ledger. Meaningful progress in these areas could strengthen the ecosystem’s long-term prospects.

Nevertheless, the $15 target remains speculative. Regulatory approval and ETF inflows may improve investor sentiment, but XRP’s future performance will also depend on broader cryptocurrency market conditions, real-world adoption, and sustained buying pressure.

With Ripple’s banking approval arriving just as Swell 2026 begins, investors will be looking for developments that could expand institutional participation and shape XRP’s next major price move.