XRPL at $10,000? Why Experts Warn of an ’Elitist Takeover’

Ripple's XRP hitting five figures sounds like a crypto dream—until you consider who gets left behind.

The 'Banker Chain' Problem

If XRP rockets to $10,000, the XRP Ledger could become a playground for institutional whales. Retail investors? Good luck affording transaction fees when one XRP costs more than a used Tesla.

Decentralization Theater

The same networks preaching 'democratized finance' tend to calcify into VIP clubs when prices moon. Just ask Bitcoin maximalists sipping champagne in their private keys.

Final Thought

Maybe the real utility token was the friends we made chasing Lambos. Or maybe Wall Street wins again—surprise.

TLDR

• A crypto analyst believes a $10,000 XRP price could make the XRP Ledger financially inaccessible to regular users.
• The concern centers on the XRP Ledger’s reserve requirements which increase in real cost as XRP’s value rises.
• At $10,000 per XRP, opening a wallet could cost $10,000 while holding a single token could cost $2,000.
• XRP supporters argue that fees remain low because the ledger operates in drops and not in dollar amounts.
• The network’s reserve requirements can be changed through governance to maintain affordability as market conditions shift.

Growing predictions of a $10,000 xrp price have sparked fresh concerns about the long-term accessibility of the XRP Ledger. While the token’s surge could boost market cap and liquidity, critics argue it may conflict with the network’s original mission. As the price climbs, debate intensifies over whether the ledger can remain user-friendly or become financially out of reach.

Pundit Highlights Risk to Everyday Users as XRP Rises

A known blockchain analyst raised concerns that a $10,000 XRP price would create barriers for typical users on the XRP Ledger. He emphasized that even simple actions like creating a wallet or holding tokens would become extremely costly. This shift could undermine the ledger’s aim of offering low-cost and fast financial access.

If 1 XRP = $10,000…
Wouldn’t that defeat the very purpose of the XRP Ledger?

It was built for liquidity, speed, and low-cost access.

Not to become a gated elite chain where it costs $100K just to open a wallet.

Just a thought. #XRP

— stellar Expert (@StellarExpert) June 29, 2025

The concern stems from the base reserve requirement, which users must hold to interact with the ledger. This reserve is set in XRP units, not dollars, so price increases raise actual costs significantly. For example, a 1 XRP wallet activation becomes $10,000 if XRP reaches that valuation.

The trustline reserve, currently set at 0.2 XRP, WOULD jump to $2,000 per token held if the price climbs. Critics argue this would create a network usable only by institutions and whales. In that scenario, small developers and ordinary users might get priced out entirely.

Network Fundamentals Could Offset Rising Costs

On the other hand, XRP advocates argue that such fears miss key details about how the network functions. They point out that the ledger operates in “drops,” allowing very small denominations for fees and internal calculations. These supporters maintain that rising token prices would not significantly affect transaction costs.

Supporters also highlight that network reserves are adjustable via governance mechanisms built into the XRP Ledger itself. This flexibility allows the community to lower reserve requirements if the price increases substantially. As a result, fees and reserves can be rebalanced to maintain accessibility.

Because of the system’s structure, the ledger’s Core transaction fees remain near-zero, regardless of market value. Transactions cost only a few drops, meaning actual fees stay under one cent. Thus, they say XRP can remain efficient and cheap, even at a five-figure price point.

XRPL Utility Depends on Governance Flexibility

Governance updates already reduced the account reserve from 10 XRP to 1 XRP by late 2024. These changes reflect ongoing community efforts to ensure the ledger stays affordable for all users. Supporters suggest that similar adjustments continue if price growth demands further tweaks.

This ability to adapt is central to the argument that rising prices do not necessarily break the system. As the community votes on proposals, technical constraints can evolve to fit new market realities. Therefore, proponents believe that accessibility is not permanently tied to XRP’s dollar value.

The discussion continues as predictions grow more aggressive and market enthusiasm spreads. However, both sides agree that maintaining utility is crucial for the ledger’s long-term success. Whether through price moderation or governance updates, the outcome could shape the XRPL’s future direction.