XRP, full of good news, but why can't it rise... When will the $1.50 barrier be broken?

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Despite increasing adoption, XRP has failed to break above $1.50, fueling anxiety among bullish investors. As market opinions diverge on whether its real-world payment utility can lead to sustained price increases, XRP has seen a decline of over 30% in the past year.

Benzinga reported on May 5 that XRP analysts are debating whether its real-world value can translate into sustained price increases. Some traders believe that XRP's value depends on how deeply it integrates into the global payment infrastructure.

Trader BarriC cited the fact that no Ripple executive has ruled out the possibility of a significant surge as the reason why long-term XRP holders remain confident. BarriC argued that XRP's long-term price would be determined by its integration into the global financial system rather than short-term speculation by individual investors.

Conversely, skeptical market participants argue that the mere fact that XRP is used as a bridge currency does not create sustained demand. If the token is rapidly bought and sold in cross-border transactions, this usage method is unlikely to lead to long-term price upward pressure, according to their view.

David Schwartz, Ripple's Honorary Chief Technology Officer, countered the skepticism. Schwartz explained that structural demand can arise even when XRP is used as a bridge asset. Companies can hold XRP to lower exchange costs in various transactions, and companies dealing with multiple currencies can reuse XRP instead of repeatedly converting between fiat currencies.

Schwartz also suggested that liquidity providers could hold XRP to support transactions and earn spreads. His explanation focused on the idea that XRP's real-world value goes beyond mere transaction speed, encompassing capital efficiency and liquidity provision structures.

Positive signals also emerged from institutional fund flows. EvernodeXRP reported that the XRP spot ETF recorded a net inflow of approximately $80 million in April 2026, marking its strongest monthly flow this year. Fund flows have also become more consistent than before, with stable daily inflows rather than short-term spikes in April.

Benzinga stated that some analysts interpret this trend as closer to gradual accumulation rather than speculative surges. The debate surrounding XRP is narrowing down to whether real-world utility can translate into actual market prices, in a situation where both increased adoption and price stagnation are occurring simultaneously.

*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for any investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*