Researcher States What Would Drive XRP Price

Crypto researcher SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) has posted a detailed analysis of why XRP’s long-term value depends on network effects and what forces are already pushing that growth forward. The post states it plainly. “The value of a network grows as more people and institutions use it.”

Every new bank, payment provider, and application that joins makes the network more useful for everyone already on it. The video accompanying the post builds that case.

Metcalfe’s Law Applied to XRP

Networks grow exponentially, not linearly. The video references Metcalfe’s Law to explain how this works. A network’s value scales with the square of its users. That exponential relationship traces an S-curve, experiencing slow growth for years, then a surge once critical mass is reached.

EasyA co-founder Dom Kwok recently made a similar argument about XRP adoption following an S-curve. SMQKE applies this directly to XRP. Network effects are not yet driving XRP’s price, but the forces behind them are already in motion. The distinction matters. Infrastructure precedes adoption. Adoption precedes value.

The value of a network grows as more people and institutions use it.

XRP is no exception.

Its long-term growth depends on network effects, where every new bank, payment provider and application that joins makes the network more useful for everyone already on it.

The… pic.twitter.com/ym05DG0N5q

— SMQKE (@SMQKEDQG) October 21, 2026

Why XRP Has a Structural Advantage

Not every technology that moves first wins. The video notes that many of today’s largest technology companies were not first movers. Apple did not invent the smartphone. What ultimately determined the winner was better technology.

One academic paper cited in the video found speculative bubbles in Bitcoin and Ethereum but none in XRP, attributing this to Ripple’s technological superiority. A separate paper identifies XRP’s consensus mechanism as a key differentiator. It settles transactions in seconds at minimal cost and scales.

Ethereum’s early developer dominance came with a significant cost as congestion grew and fees soared. XRP does not carry that burden.

Supply, Scarcity and Critical Mass

Usage drives demand for XRP. Demand deepens liquidity and better liquidity attracts more usage. Each transaction burns a small amount of XRP, permanently reducing supply. Bitwise estimates that a 100x increase in transaction volume would remove approximately 0.75% of XRP from circulation annually.

Ripple is accelerating this by targeting adoption market by market. Asheesh Birla, now CEO of Evernorth, stated that about half the market in India was in Ripple’s pipeline, integrated or being signed.

The bridge asset model adds further demand. With XRP as a bridge, 180 currencies need only 180 pairs and each new currency added increases demand for XRP itself.

Where This Leads

Cross-border payments, tokenization, DeFi, and Ripple’s acquisitions all serve as catalysts. The video closes with the same point it opened with: “Networks don’t grow in a straight line.” Slow growth is not the end of XRP’s story. It is how network effects begin.

Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.

Follow us on X, Facebook, Telegram, and  Google News

The post Researcher States What Would Drive XRP Price appeared first on Times Tabloid.