Industry commentators are noting that XRP, the underdog of the large-cap crypto market, is defying expectations.
In a recent post on X, Jaime Rogozinski, founder of the popular WallStreetBets community, highlighted the unexpected rise of XRP.
He noted that the token, often widely “hated,” is now outperforming due to real network improvements and favorable regulatory developments. “What a time to be alive,” Rogozinski said.
His observation comes as XRP trades at $2.85, representing a staggering 388% surge since 2024. By comparison, Bitcoin has climbed 78% over the past year, trading at $112,635, while Ethereum is up 58% at $4,182.
These figures show that XRP’s percentage gains in the last year have far outpaced both market leaders. Meanwhile, in the short term, all three assets are in the red, losing between 4% and 8% of their value over the past week.
The Momentum in XRP
Notably, XRP’s strength stems from ongoing network upgrades and regulatory clarity, which have fueled investor confidence.
Specifically, Ripple’s long-running dispute with the SEC concluded months ago. The development removed a major overhang and opened the door to new partnerships and institutional interest. For instance, Ripple has even secured a partnership with America’s oldest bank, BNY.
Several institutions have disclosed establishing strategic reserves of XRP, with announced investments exceeding $1 billion.
Notably, Ben Armstrong (BitBoy) recently pointed to the same forces when discussing XRP’s potential to challenge Ethereum’s market position. He noted that Ripple’s banking integrations and ultra-fast settlement times, measured in seconds, compared to days with SWIFT, are advantages that could support long-term adoption.
The Case for XRP Outperformance
Rogozinski’s remarks echo a broader sentiment shared by other market commentators. In June, Alpha Lions Academy founder Edoardo Farina argued that XRP offers a stronger risk-reward profile than Bitcoin at current levels.
He highlighted how, in late 2024, XRP rallied from $0.50 to $3.40, nearly a 7x return, while Bitcoin’s rise from $68,000 to $112,000 represented only about a 64% gain.
Farina even suggested that if Bitcoin were to hit $500,000, XRP could soar to $100, implying more than 40x gains, while Bitcoin would yield just a 5x return.
Such projections illustrate why some analysts believe XRP’s upside potential exceeds that of Bitcoin at today’s valuations.
Similarly, crypto commentator Dustin Layton compared XRP’s current setup to Bitcoin at $0.05 in its early days, calling today’s prices a “generational entry.”
He cited Bitcoin’s 2,281,602% lifetime ROI as evidence that early positioning in the right asset can yield unimaginable long-term rewards.
Critics Remain Cautious
Despite the bullish momentum, not everyone is convinced that XRP can become the “next Bitcoin.”
Skeptics point out that Ripple still controls about 40% of XRP’s total supply, raising concerns about centralization. They also note that even after its massive 2024–2025 rally, XRP has yet to reclaim its all-time high of $3.84 set in 2018.
Nonetheless, voices like BitBoy argue that market dynamics can change dramatically over five to ten years. He added that the crypto industry has a history of defying expectations.
DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.
