Canary Capital CEO Predicts XRP to Lead Real-World Asset Tokenization in 2026

XRP is emerging as a frontrunner in real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, according to Canary Capital CEO Steven McClurg.

He argues recent developments around the XRP Ledger have fundamentally changed how institutional investors view the asset.

Speaking on a podcast hosted by AInvest’s MD Adam Shapiro, McClurg explained that XRP was not always a major focus for him. While he had followed the asset for years, he said the progress made over the last two years stood out, particularly Ripple’s success in integrating the XRP Ledger into mainstream financial infrastructure.

• Canary Capital CEO says XRP is set to lead real-world asset tokenization.

• XRP Ledger’s live financial use is attracting growing institutional interest.

• Regulatory clarity could cause XRP to decouple from Bitcoin by 2026.

• CEO projects XRP could reach $5 as adoption of tokenized assets grows.

McClurg noted that the XRP Ledger is now being used to move stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets, including Ripple’s own stablecoin, RLUSD. This utility, especially within traditional finance, is why he believes XRP is set to become the leading token for real-world asset tokenization.

Unlike many blockchain networks that are still in experimental stages, the XRP Ledger processes live financial transactions. This shift toward real-world usage, rather than speculation, is what McClurg sees as XRP’s biggest advantage as institutions explore tokenization.

"I believe #XRP is going to be probably the leading token when it comes to real world asset tokenization." – @stevenmcclurgpic.twitter.com/J6PXGD2QE1

— AInvest (@AInvestOfficial) January 14, 2026

While bullish on XRP, McClurg also highlighted Hedera as another protocol to watch. He drew a distinction between the two, explaining that XRP Ledger is more aligned with traditional finance, while Hedera is geared toward enterprise use cases.

Specifically, Hedera’s strength lies in fast data processing and enterprise-grade applications, attracting interest from professionals in the software and enterprise technology sectors rather than typical crypto traders.

Beyond XRP and Hedera, McClurg pointed to emerging networks like Injective and Sui, which he sees as competitive with established players such as Ethereum and Solana in specific use cases.

Looking ahead, McClurg expects regulatory clarity from lawmakers, the SEC, and other agencies to alter how crypto assets move. Instead of rising and falling together, he believes prices will begin to diverge based on real usage.

In this environment, networks like XRP, Solana, and Hedera could benefit, as their value is more closely tied to adoption and transaction activity than to energy costs. By contrast, Bitcoin’s proof-of-work model leaves it more exposed to energy-related pressures.

McClurg expects this divergence to become clear in 2026. For instance, he does not anticipate Bitcoin reaching a new all-time high until 2027. Meanwhile, he believes assets like XRP could reach fresh highs sooner.

From a price perspective, McClurg said Bitcoin’s price could revisit the $60,000–$70,000 range if recovery efforts fail. In contrast, he sees XRP as having stronger upside potential. In particular, he projects that it could reach around $5 per token in 2026, roughly doubling from current levels.

Overall, McClurg’s outlook reinforces the idea that XRP could decouple from Bitcoin and chart an independent trajectory. He sees XRP’s role in tokenizing real-world assets shaping its price outlook going forward, rather than Bitcoin’s price movements.