finbold.com
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OpenAI’s artificial intelligence model ChatGPT projects that $XRP could trade at $1.85 after Ripple completes its remaining 2026 escrow releases.
The predicted value implies a potential gain of about 22% from $XRP’s press-time price of $1.52.
For the remainder of the year, Ripple is expected to unlock a gross total of 3 billion $XRP between October and December.
Regarding the price outlook, ChatGPT outlined a bearish scenario in which $XRP falls to between $1.20 and $1.35, a base-case range of $1.60 to $1.90, and a bullish outcome of $2.20 to $2.80.
The forecast assumes Ripple maintains its current re-escrow strategy, under which most unlocked $XRP is returned to escrow rather than entering circulation.
Based on recent trends, approximately 2.1 billion $XRP of the expected 3 billion $XRP gross release could be re-escrowed. That would leave about 900 million $XRP as net new supply entering the market after the final 2026 unlock cycle is completed.
The resulting net supply increase of roughly 900 million $XRP represents less than 1% of $XRP’s total 100 billion token supply.
Ripple locked 55 billion $XRP into escrow in 2017, releasing up to 1 billion $XRP each month. However, the company typically re-escrows most of the unlocked tokens, recently re-locking about 700 million to 800 million $XRP per month while retaining 200 million to 300 million $XRP for operational and liquidity purposes.
The forecast assumes institutional demand, $XRP investment products, and continued whale accumulation help absorb the additional supply entering circulation.
Meanwhile, Ripple’s practice of re-escrowing most unlocked tokens has significantly extended its original release schedule.
With an estimated 32 billion $XRP still in escrow and net releases averaging about 300 million $XRP per month, the remaining balance could take roughly nine years to deplete, potentially extending the program until 2035.
By press time, $XRP was trading at $1.52, down 1.69% over the past seven days, though broader sentiment remained bullish.
At current levels, $XRP continues to trade above its key moving averages, with the 50-day SMA at $1.34 and the 200-day SMA at $1.28. Meanwhile, the asset’s RSI stands at 56.64, indicating neutral momentum with room for further gains.
With technical indicators holding firm and sentiment remaining positive, traders will be watching whether $XRP can build enough momentum to reclaim the $1.60 level in the coming days.
Featured image via Shutterstock
