Expert Says XRP Could Soon Be Out of Reach for 99% of People!

As the calendar turns to 2026, a chilling warning is echoing through the XRP community: the “window of opportunity” for retail investors is slamming shut. Edoardo Farina, founder of Alpha Lions Academy, believes we are approaching a historic tipping point where 99% of the global population will be effectively priced out of owning XRP. Between a worsening global economy that forces families to sell their crypto for survival and the aggressive entry of massive financial institutions, the digital asset traditionally known as the “people’s coin” is rapidly transforming into an exclusive institutional tool. If Farina is correct, the XRP you hold today could soon be worth an amount that is simply incomprehensible to the average person. I. The Retail Exit: Forced Selling in a Worsening Economy Farina’s thesis is rooted in a grim economic reality. As inflation continues to outpace wages and the cost of basic necessities like food and rent skyrockets, many average investors are reaching a breaking point. Instead of “HODLing” for the long term, retail participants are increasingly being forced to liquidate their XRP holdings just to cover everyday expenses. High credit card debt and missed payments are clear signals that for the bottom 99%, investing in crypto has moved from a strategic goal to an unaffordable luxury. As these small players exit, their tokens are not vanishing they are being vacuumed up by the very institutions the community once aimed to bypass. II. The Rich List Reality: The Growing Cost of the Top 10% On-chain data confirms this shift in ownership. As XRP trades near $2.04 in early 2026, the cost of entry into the “Rich List” has exploded. In late 2024, joining the top 10% of XRP holders required roughly $1,551; today, that same status requires nearly $4,700. For the top 1% wallets holding at least 48,716 XRP the entry fee is now a staggering $100,000. Meanwhile, over 6 million wallets (roughly 80% of the network) hold 500 XRP or less. This concentration of wealth shows that while the total number of tokens needed to be a “whale” is decreasing, the financial barrier to reaching that tier is becoming insurmountable for the average wage-earner. III. The Institutional Land Grab: ETFs and the $1,000 Pipe Dream While retail investors are being squeezed out, institutional giants are moving in with unprecedented aggression. XRP ETFs, which launched in late 2025, have already accumulated nearly 700 million XRP, now worth over $1.37 billion. This institutional “land grab” is driven by a belief in XRP’s role as the fundamental plumbing of a restructured global financial system. Farina speculates that this massive reduction in retail liquidity could eventually catapult XRP to astronomical levels some even whispering of $100 or $1,000 targets. At $1,000 per coin, a mere 500 XRP would be worth half a million dollars, turning today’s “small fish” into tomorrow’s elite provided they have the patience to survive the squeeze. IV. Essential Financial Disclaimer This analysis is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Theories regarding XRP becoming “out of reach” for 99% of the population are speculative and based on subjective economic interpretations. Price targets such as $100 or $1,000 are extreme forecasts with no guarantee of fulfillment. The cryptocurrency market is highly volatile and influenced by regulatory, technical, and macroeconomic factors that can lead to significant losses. Always perform your own deep research (DYOR) and consult with a licensed financial professional before risking capital in digital assets.

Are you part of the 1% who will hold through the squeeze, or are you being forced to sell by the economy? Do you believe XRP is destined for $1,000, or is the institutional takeover a bearish signal for decentralization? Share your 2026 survival plan in the comments below! Let’s see who has the “diamond hands” to stay in the game.