Crypto founder Jake Claver has defended his 2025 XRP price prediction amid criticism, arguing that delays are common when dealing with regulators and large institutions. Claver highlights Ripple's 13.5-year history as evidence that building real financial systems takes time. Despite missing his $100 XRP target, Claver maintains that his "Domino Theory" for XRP adoption remains intact, driven by regulatory clarity and market changes. Claver also pointed to Ripple's signing of over 1,700 non-disclosure agreements, suggesting these are part of a long-term strategy for XRP-based systems. He argues that adoption may be progressing quietly, with visible price action lagging behind infrastructure development. Claver believes early positioning is crucial for major returns, as public confirmation often comes too late for significant gains. The comments follow criticism from analyst Zach Rector, who challenged Claver's prediction, citing the improbability of a 5,000% increase in a short period. As 2025 ends, the focus shifts to measurable adoption metrics for 2026, with Claver advocating patience and infrastructure over aggressive timelines.