Zach Rector says $XRP will not reach $100 in 2026, urges realistic targets

Analyst pushes back on $XRP price hype

Rector’s commentary comes amid ongoing discussions among traders and investors, some of whom believe that $XRP will achieve extraordinary price gains in the next several months. Despite this optimism, Rector distinguished his stance, stating that bullishness on $XRP does not equate to expecting an extreme price surge within the year.

He wrote,

“XRP is not going to $100 this year. I’m bullish on XRP but let’s stop playing around out here.”

This view stands in strong contrast to bolder forecasts that anticipate $XRP reaching triple-digit figures or beyond within a short timeframe. Rector’s perspective has resonated with some portions of the community who value tempered optimism over sensational targets.

Competing views on long-term potential

While Rector called for more moderate projections, Jake Claver, CEO of Digital Ascension Group, recently offered an alternative outlook for $XRP. Claver stated that “major institutions are accumulating XRP without saying much about it publicly” and suggested that $XRP could evolve into “core infrastructure for international finance.” He argued that under such circumstances, the current price may appear modest when viewed in retrospect.

Claver previously predicted that $XRP would reach $100 by the end of 2025, yet the asset closed that year at $1.87, falling far short of his forecast. Undeterred, Claver raised his target in 2026, setting a new long-term goal of $750 per token. This figure remains highly controversial and underscores the sharp differences in price forecasts within the digital assets sector.

Claver’s assertion that $XRP could serve as critical banking infrastructure continues to spark considerable debate, especially given the discrepancy between optimistic targets and recent market realities.

Community sentiment remains divided

Within the $XRP community, a spectrum of opinions has emerged in response to recent analyst posts. Some members voiced support for more restrained projections, with one community figure stating it would be “fortunate to see it reach the lower double digits.” Others expressed gratitude for any possible increase, suggesting that even a climb to $5 would represent a significant achievement relative to current levels.

These reactions highlight persistent diversity in sentiment among $XRP holders. While some continue to anticipate outsized gains, others are bringing expectations in line with historical market performance and the realities of institutional adoption timelines.

Overall, industry observers continue to monitor whether emerging infrastructure and evolving institutional interest can translate to more sustained growth for $XRP, while analysts like Rector urge realism in price expectations, especially for dramatic targets within restricted timeframes.