Editorial staff
While the increase has garnered lots of attention and remarks from experts – CNBC, for instance, has already called XRP the hottest crypto of the year and the new crypto darling – it’s important not to jump the gun. A steep increase is much easier for a coin with a smaller market cap, and XRP, while a popular cryptocurrency, is still significantly smaller than BTC or ETH.
But that doesn’t mean what we’ve seen so far isn’t a sign of things to come.
The increase was, no doubt, statistically significant; we haven’t seen a relative jump like this in the price of XRP compared to BTC since 2018.
Another thing that speaks for XRP is the very real and practical utility of the currency. As real-world crypto adoption is increasing, cryptocurrencies that are useful for actual transactions are likely to rise in popularity. XRP is specifically designed by Ripple Labs for the purpose of making cross-border payments faster and cheaper. The currency is ideal for banks and financial institutions. As we’ve seen a rise in institutional acceptance of cryptocurrencies in the past few years, this could be a critical point that will lead to the rise of this specific currency.
But, of course, there's no guarantee that companies will choose XRP as their currency of choice. Bitcoin has an inherent advantage in that it’s the most well-known cryptocurrency to date; many companies might instead want to incorporate a bigger currency like Bitcoin or even ETH into operations.
Many online services and platforms today offer the possibility of paying with crypto, and Bitcoin is often the most available option.
Bitcoin platforms in the casino industry, for instance, have enjoyed ”Bitcoin slots sites have experienced a drastic growth in popularity, as they offer features that fiat sites simply cannot match.” (Source: https://esportsinsider.com/crypto/bitcoin-slots-sites) Consumers often look for crypto payment options on iGaming platforms, not just for convenience and anonymity, but also for transaction speeds – crypto transactions can often be instant.
Bitcoin specifically is already a step ahead in this market, and it could prove difficult for XRP to catch up now. Still, as the third-biggest cryptocurrency, it seems to have a real shot.
While it’s impossible to predict if XRP is going to take off in 2026, it’s generally considered a solid project with real value. This contrasts with many launches, like meme coins and celebrity-launched currencies that are destined for a quick rise and even quicker fall.
Like any investment, putting money into XRP is always a risk without a guarantee of a return. But the potential for growth is looking good this year, even when we compare XRP to BTC. And unlike Bitcoin, the XRP market cap is still small enough that it has the potential to increase in value manifold in a relatively short time. This makes it a good investment for someone hoping for a bigger payoff this year but who is also willing to take a somewhat higher risk.
Editorial staff
