As the cryptocurrency market continues to evolve, a potential game-changer for Ripple's XRP token has emerged. The company's possible approval to hold a Federal Reserve (Fed) master account could be the catalyst that pushes XRP into a new phase of upside momentum. According to market analyst Sam Daodu, AI models broadly agree that XRP may rise if Ripple gains access to Fed settlement infrastructure, allowing for direct transactions without the need for middlemen.
A major reason behind the optimism is that Fed access would enable Ripple to settle transactions directly, rather than routing them through banks. This development could have significant implications for the cryptocurrency market, particularly in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Daodu cites the example of Kraken, which became the first crypto firm to receive a master account through the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City in March 2026, as evidence that the approval pathway is no longer purely theoretical.
AI Model Forecasts and Projections
Daodu has shared model-driven forecasts for XRP, drawing comparisons between various AI systems and their respective approaches to weighing catalysts and risks. ChatGPT, for instance, points to a measured recovery under base conditions, with XRP expected to trade in the $2.50 to $3.00 range by August 2026. However, the model also flags $1.50 as a key level that XRP needs to hold for the prediction to remain on track. Currently, the altcoin is trading well below that level, having retraced to $1.32 per token.
Other AI models, such as Grok and Claude, have more aggressive projections. Grok's base forecast lands between $2.50 and $2.80, but it lifts the upper target to $10 under the right conditions. Claude's outlook is more cautious, with a base projection calling for XRP to remain in the $1.35 to $1.65 range for the rest of 2026. However, Claude's longer-term view is more constructive, leaving room for XRP to reach between $8 and $14 if ETF inflows exceed $10 billion and banking adoption accelerates.
Among the models Daodu reviewed, Vincent Van Code's AI forecast is presented as the boldest. Rather than focusing on a single near-term target, Vincent Van Code maps a year-by-year trajectory that reaches $80 by 2032. The foundation for that call is Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse's projection that 30% of Ripple Treasury's $13 trillion annual payment flow could move on-chain within five years. For 2026 specifically, the AI model targets price targets ranging from $6 to $10, highlighting the potential for significant growth in the XRP market.
