XRP’s Rise To Rarity: Only 1% May Afford It, Expert Says

XRP holders may see huge profits if they can hold on through tough economic times, according to one crypto academy founder.

Edoardo Farina of Alpha Lions Academy claims that soon, only the wealthiest 1% of investors will be able to afford XRP tokens as everyday people sell their holdings to cover basic expenses.

Economic Pressures Force Retail Investors Out

According to Farina, global economic conditions have gotten much worse since 2019. People around the world are struggling with high inflation and rising costs that outpace wage increases. These pressures have forced many crypto owners to sell their digital assets, including XRP, just to pay for food and housing.

Credit card debt and late payments have hit record levels, Farina noted. For people living paycheck to paycheck, buying cryptocurrencies like XRP has become a luxury they simply can’t afford anymore. This trend has pushed retail investors out of the market, leaving big institutions to take over.

Only 1% Will Be Able to Afford $XRP Soon
The cost of living is exploding. Most investors are drowning in debt and being forced out of the crypto markets.

HODL strong, XRP community, our time is coming. pic.twitter.com/BHMtltavPM

— EDO FARINA 🅧 XRP (@edward_farina) March 23, 2025

Big Financial Players Buying XRP While Public Sells

As everyday investors exit, Farina claims large financial institutions are buying up XRP in large amounts. These big players are betting on the altcoin’s long-term value in what they see as the future financial system.

The order books for XRP are now five times smaller than in previous market upswings, which Farina says shows fewer retail investors remain active. This shift could dramatically change the supply and demand balance for XRP, potentially driving prices to new heights. With fewer holders and less market liquidity, those who keep their crypto might see massive gains.

Central Bank Digital Currencies Could Boost XRP Value

Farina pointed to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) as another factor that could drive the altcoin’s price up. European CBDCs, like a digital euro, could launch by 2025.

The XRP Ledger might become a major part of the CBDC system, Farina believes. He mentioned that Montenegro has already tested the XRP Ledger successfully. Once the digital euro goes live on the Ledger, Farina expects XRP prices could explode.

He compared this to what happened with Stellar (XLM) when Ukraine announced plans to build their CBDC on Stellar’s blockchain last year. XRP holders might see similar gains if such announcements happen, Farina suggested.

Tough Road Ahead But Big Rewards Possible

While Farina paints a difficult picture for average investors, he believes those who hold onto their altcoins through these challenges could see extraordinary returns. His bold predictions include XRP potentially reaching $100 or even $1,000 per token.

According to Farina, the number of XRP holders will drop significantly by the time these price targets are reached. For the small group of investors who manage to keep their holdings, the future could bring remarkable wealth.

Featured image from Gemini Imagen, chart from TradingView