- Standard Chartered lowered XRP’s 2026 target from $8 to $2.80 after market turmoil.
- XRP fell to $1.16 amid ETF outflows and a 28% monthly decline in price.
- The bank also reduced forecasts for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
Standard Chartered reduced its XRP price forecast after February’s severe crypto market selloff. In a note released Thursday, the bank cut its end-2026 XRP target to $2.80 from $8. The revision followed heavy ETF outflows, falling prices, and broader macro pressure across digital assets.
XRP Target Cut Follows Market and ETF Weakness
The downgrade came from Standard Chartered after what it described as challenging recent market conditions. Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s global head of digital assets research, said analysts now expect further near-term declines.
Notably, XRP dropped sharply during the broader market rout. The token briefly fell to $1.16, its lowest level in 15 months. Although prices later rebounded, XRP remains down about 28% over the past month.
Earlier in the year, XRP had started strongly. The asset gained 25% during the first week of 2026, supported by ETF inflows and regulatory momentum. However, that trend reversed as capital moved out of risk assets.
ETF Outflows Reverse Early 2026 Momentum
According to crypto data platform SoSoValue, assets locked in XRP exchange-traded funds peaked at $1.6 billion on January 5. Since then, ETF holdings declined to just over $1 billion by February 13, a 40% drop.
Meanwhile, the broader crypto market experienced its worst downturn in nearly four years. Bitcoin fell 28% in one month, briefly touching $60,000 before stabilizing. Other major tokens followed similar patterns, intensifying pressure on altcoins like XRP.
As a result, Standard Chartered reassessed its earlier optimism. Kendrick said February’s prolonged weakness forced analysts to revisit assumptions made during calmer market conditions.
Broader Crypto Forecasts Also Lowered
The XRP downgrade formed part of wider forecast cuts. Standard Chartered lowered its Bitcoin target to $100,000 from $150,000. Ethereum’s outlook dropped from $7,000 to $4,000, while Solana’s target fell from $250 to $135.
Despite the cuts, Kendrick said XRP and Ethereum could still benefit from developments in stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets. Separately, regulatory developments remain under observation.
On Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said passage of the Clarity Act could support crypto markets. Earlier, Ripple chief legal officer Stuart Alderoty said discussions in Washington showed bipartisan momentum behind the legislation.