
Ripple closed 10 major deals in early 2026 with big names like Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan, and Mastercard, plus expanded fully into Brazil. These partnerships enhance Ripple's payment infrastructure but do not create direct demand for its XRP token, as most deals use Ripple’s technology without requiring XRP for transactions. XRP’s price has dropped 41% since January, and its value may only rise if the CLARITY Act passes, which would legally enable institutional XRP use for settlements. Until then, Ripple’s deals build network credibility but don’t impact XRP’s price significantly.