As economic tensions grow worldwide, some market watchers are pointing to US tariffs and national debt as signs of a broader financial reset. This theory suggests that XRP, the cryptocurrency developed by Ripple, could play a role in transforming financial systems during this period of change.

The XRPUSD H1 chart shows that after bouncing off an intraday support level, the cryptocurrency has been moving upwards. A trendline is acting as resistance, which buyers may watch for a potential bullish breakout before adding more long entries to push the price upwards.

Trump’s Tariffs May Reshape Debt Talks

The theory links recent US policies to wider financial shifts. President Donald Trump’s use of tariffs is seen by some not only as a response to trade issues but also as a tool to influence large US creditors.

Countries like China, Japan, and members of the European Union hold large amounts of US Treasury debt. Some analysts believe the tariffs may be used to gain leverage in talks that could lead to debt restructuring, Coinfomania reported.

Standard Chartered Predicts XRP to Reach $12.50 by 2028

Standard Chartered (STAN) initiated coverage of XRP in a report today (Tuesday), predicting that the cryptocurrency could rise to $12.50 by the end of 2028, with a forecast of $5.50 by the end of this year, $8 by 2026, and $10.40 by the end of 2027. At the time of writing, XRP was trading at $1.94, nearly 9% higher.

The bank highlighted that XRP saw a sixfold increase after Donald Trump’s election, driven by expectations that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) would drop its appeal against Ripple , and due to the potential approval of XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Could XRP Replace SWIFT in the Future?

If debt terms are revised, reset supporters believe global finance may also shift structurally. In this view, XRP could help build a new system. Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) uses XRP to move funds across borders without pre-funded accounts. Over 300 institutions are connected through this system.

Backers say XRP’s speed, scale, and decentralized setup make it a possible upgrade over older systems like SWIFT. While major institutions have not endorsed it, the idea reflects a growing interest in digital assets during economic uncertainty.

Ripple Acquires Hidden Road for $1.25 Billion

Meanwhile, Ripple has acquired Hidden Road for $1.25 billion, making it the first crypto company to operate a global, multi-asset prime broker. Hidden Road provides services across foreign exchange, digital assets, derivatives, swaps, and fixed income.

This acquisition aims to support the institutional adoption of crypto by providing essential infrastructure. Brad Garlinghouse, CEO of Ripple, stated that the U.S. market is now open following the end of regulatory uncertainty, and the market is maturing to meet traditional finance needs.