Should You Buy the Cryptocurrency XRP While It's Under $1.50?

By Johnny Rice – Feb 27, 2026 at 1:09PM ESTKey PointsMost major banks that use Ripple's payment technology bypass XRP entirely, undermining the token's core institutional demand narrative.XRP's bridge asset use case generates transaction volume but not lasting buy pressure.Ripple itself is now heavily focused on its stablecoin, RLUSD. XRP (XRP 2.14%) is hovering just below $1.50 after falling 50% in the last six months -- some may see it as an opportunity. But before you buy the dip, it's worth understanding what actually drives -- or doesn't drive -- XRP's value. Ripple, the company behind XRP, has built real partnerships with major financial institutions. Its settlement technology genuinely improves upon legacy banking systems. The problem is that most of the banks that use Ripple's technology do so without ever touching XRP itself. ExpandCRYPTO: XRPXRPToday's Change(-2.14%) $-0.03Current Price$1.36Key Data PointsMarket Cap$83BDay's Range$1.34 - $1.4252wk Range$1.14 - $3.65Volume3.3B Ripple's success isn't necessarily XRP's success The token's value proposition hinges on Ripple's liquidity feature, which uses XRP as a bridge asset for cross-border transfers. But this use of Ripple's payment infrastructure primarily serves smaller fintechs and remittance providers, not the marquee banking names that make headlines. And because even when these institutions use the service, the currencies are converted in and out of XRP almost instantly; each buy order is matched with a corresponding sell -- creating volume without sustained demand pressure from these institutions holding XRP in reserve. Image source: Getty Images. Stablecoins could pose a further problem There's also a growing competitive threat: stablecoins. Ripple recognizes this, and its own stablecoin, RLUSD, is now a featured part of the Ripple ecosystem. This shift will, in my view, cannibalize XRP's role as a bridge asset. Ripple, the company, may thrive as a payments infrastructure provider. But that potential success doesn't necessarily translate to XRP token appreciation. Therefore, I wouldn't buy XRP today, even at these lower prices.Read NextFeb 27, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiXRP vs. Ethereum: Which Cryptocurrency Has More Upside in 2026?Feb 26, 2026 •By Justin PopeXRP vs. Dogecoin: Which Crypto Has the Better Risk/Reward Right Now?Feb 26, 2026 •By Alex Carchidi1 Cryptocurrency to Consider Buying With $2,000, and 1 to Avoid ForeverFeb 25, 2026 •By Emma NewberyWhere Will XRP (Ripple) Go Next?Feb 25, 2026 •By Anthony Di PizioPrediction: XRP (Ripple) Will Be Worth This Much in 5 YearsFeb 24, 2026 •By Alex CarchidiWant to Make $15,000 With XRP or Bitcoin? Do These 3 Things.About the AuthorJohnny Rice is a contributing writer for The Motley Fool covering tech stocks. He previously contributed to various financial publications.TMFJohnnyRiceStocks MentionedXRPCRYPTO: XRP$1.36(-2.14%)-$0.03Ripple USDCRYPTO: RLUSD$1.00(-0.03%)-$0.00*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.