Saad Ullah
The Ripple-affiliated cryptocurrency has surged past $151 billion market cap, now outvaluing corporate giants like Sony and Citigroup, spoiling what should have been USDT's celebration day.
XRP's Stunning Climb Puts It Back in Crypto's Elite Circle
XRP's been on quite a tear lately, jumping more than 9% in just 24 hours and muscling its way back into cryptocurrency's exclusive top three club. With its market cap now pushing $151 billion, XRP isn't just making waves in crypto – it's now bigger than household names like Sony, Citigroup, Airbus, and Shopify. Pretty impressive for a digital asset that's had its fair share of ups and downs.
The timing couldn't be more dramatic, with XRP snatching the spotlight just as Tether was preparing for its own victory lap. This shake-up shows investor confidence in XRP remains rock-solid, even in this cutthroat crypto landscape where rankings can flip overnight.
Tether (USDT) Hits Historic $150B Milestone as XRP Steals the Show
Talk about stealing someone's thunder! Just as Tether was celebrating becoming the first stablecoin ever to cross the $150 billion market cap threshold, XRP swooped in and knocked it down a peg on the leaderboard.
Tether didn't miss the chance to remind everyone of its pioneer status, though. In a celebratory tweet, the company highlighted how it's been the backbone of the stablecoin ecosystem since way back in 2014. That's practically ancient history in crypto years! They also pointed out how the stablecoin space is getting crowded these days, with even Ripple jumping into the mix last year.
Despite Tether's milestone moment, XRP's surge pushed USDT out of the top three – a perfect illustration of just how quickly fortunes can change in crypto.
The XRP vs USDT Game of Musical Chairs Continues
This isn't the first time these two crypto heavyweights have played tag on the leaderboard. XRP and USDT have been knocking each other around in the rankings for ages, with each taking turns in the spotlight.
Last year, XRP managed to cement its position near the top after Ripple scored some big wins in court and the regulatory winds in the US started shifting in a more favorable direction. Those developments gave XRP holders a massive confidence boost, which we're still seeing the effects of today.
This back-and-forth between XRP and Tether really drives home just how fluid the crypto pecking order is. One good day in the markets, one positive legal development, or one change in sentiment, and suddenly the whole leaderboard gets reshuffled.
XRP Flexes Its Muscles While Changing Up Reporting Strategy
While XRP still has a long way to go before it can realistically challenge Ethereum for the #2 spot in terms of regular market cap, it's worth noting that XRP has actually leapfrogged ETH several times in recent months when looking at fully diluted market cap. Not too shabby!
Meanwhile, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse dropped a bit of news that flew under the radar – the company's ditching its quarterly XRP reports. But before holders panic, Garlinghouse clarified that Ripple will still keep everyone in the loop about their XRP holdings through their official website. Transparency isn't going anywhere, just the format is changing.
This reporting shift comes as Ripple continues to adapt its strategy and relationship with XRP, potentially setting the stage for even bigger moves in this ultra-competitive market.
What's Next for Crypto's Comeback Kid?
XRP clawing its way back into crypto's top three represents a major milestone for the digital asset. With market cap approaching $151 billion, it's showing impressive staying power despite all the volatility that comes with the territory.
As competition between the crypto elite intensifies, XRP's ability to hold onto its spot will depend on a cocktail of factors – regulatory developments, tech advancements, and broader market sentiment all playing crucial roles.
The crypto landscape remains incredibly dynamic, with yesterday's winners often becoming tomorrow's has-beens. XRP's current resurrection shows it's still a major player in the digital asset game, but keeping that momentum going will require continued innovation and adaptation.
For now, though, XRP holders have earned their victory lap as their favorite crypto continues its impressive climb in 2025.
Saad Ullah
