I just came across something interesting: Standard Chartered has once again adjusted its expectations for XRP. This time, the adjustment is really not small—its year-end target has been cut from $8 to $2.8, a drop of 65%. The market’s downturn has been pretty harsh this time; crypto assets overall have wiped out nearly $2 trillion. XRP is currently hovering around $1.41, down from a peak of $3.65, with the decline exceeding 60%.

What’s interesting is that opinions on this adjustment are split into two camps. Some see it as a disaster signal, while others think it’s not that serious. Supporters point out that the original $8 target was already too aggressive, and lowering it to $2.8 is actually a more realistic expectation that fits the current macro environment. Plus, Standard Chartered itself has said it’s only being conservative in the short term—the long-term target for 2030 remains at $28, suggesting they still have confidence in XRP’s structural outlook.

What’s also interesting is that Standard Chartered didn’t just adjust XRP. It lowered its Bitcoin target from 150,000 to 100,000, its Ethereum target from 7,000 to 4,000, and its Solana target from 250 to 135—essentially, the whole market is being repriced. However, from another angle, this also reflects institutional investors reassessing risks and opportunities. One potential catalyst in the current crypto market is the direction of U.S. regulation, especially the proposed “crypto clarity” bill. If the regulatory framework truly becomes clearer, liquidity conditions could improve, and market sentiment may turn around. Some people now view the current price as a historic buying opportunity, while others believe the bottom hasn’t arrived yet. In short, in the short term, Standard Chartered’s adjustment indeed reflects the market’s caution, but the long-term story isn’t over yet.