Crypto enthusiast Austin (@Austin_XRPL) recently argued that common short-term price targets for XRP, often cited in the range of $5–$10, fail to reflect the scale of what is being built around the digital asset. His post focused on the idea that these valuations overlook years of structural preparation by Ripple, suggesting that the company’s actions indicate ambitions far beyond modest price outcomes. Austin’s position was presented as a critique of narrow market expectations rather than a direct price forecast, emphasizing long-term alignment over near-term trading narratives.
People throwing around “$5–$10 XRP" miss the bigger picture. @Ripple has spent the last few years: • acquiring infrastructure • partnering with institutions • positioning for global settlement • preparing for regulatory clarity • pursuing a full banking license You don’t…
— Austin (@Austin_XRPL) January 16, 2026
Ripple’s Strategic Positioning
In his commentary, Austin pointed to Ripple’s sustained efforts in acquiring infrastructure, forming institutional partnerships, and positioning itself for use in global settlement flows. He also highlighted preparations for regulatory clarity and the company’s pursuit of a full banking license as central components of its strategy. According to Austin, initiatives of this scale are not undertaken without expectations of substantial, system-level relevance. His post suggested that the scope and cost of these developments imply a vision that extends well beyond incremental market gains.
Community Pushback on the Ripple–XRP Relationship
The post prompted responses questioning the connection between Ripple’s corporate strategy and XRP itself. One commenter, What the Pho, stated that despite holding a significant long-term XRP position, it is important to distinguish between Ripple as a company and XRP as a digital asset. The commenter argued that Ripple’s priorities may center on corporate and XRPL interests rather than directly maximizing XRP’s value, echoing long-standing discussions within the community about structural separation.
Another response, from Fishy CatFish, took a more critical stance. This user contended that Ripple’s announcements primarily serve its own corporate objectives and products such as RLUSD, rather than XRP. The commenter cited reports of Ripple attempting to repurchase its own shares instead of XRP as evidence that holding XRP does not equate to direct exposure to Ripple’s corporate value. This argument reinforced a view held by some market participants that Ripple’s incentives and XRP’s market performance are not inherently aligned.
Austin’s Rebuttal and a Call for Perspective
Austin directly rejected these criticisms, asserting that XRP remains central to everything Ripple does. His reply reinforced his original claim that the company’s long-term strategy cannot be separated from XRP’s role within its ecosystem.
Another commenter, Cryptomantus, introduced a more neutral perspective, noting that short-term price predictions and profit-taking strategies do not necessarily negate long-term beliefs. The commenter emphasized that investors have different goals and timelines, and that exiting positions should not be framed as a misunderstanding of the broader vision.
Taken together, the exchange illustrates an ongoing debate within the XRP community: whether Ripple’s expansive strategy should be interpreted as a direct signal of XRP’s long-term value, or whether corporate developments and asset performance should be assessed independently.