Bitcoin Still Dominates the Crypto Market by a Wide Margin
Since its 2009 launch, bitcoin has remained the most valuable cryptocurrency. With over 60% of the market share and a market cap of $1.5 trillion, it towers over rivals like XRP, which has a market cap of just $100 billion.
To overtake bitcoin, XRP would need to surge by 15x in value—an unlikely feat without bitcoin itself remaining flat. Given that bitcoin typically leads crypto market trends, XRP’s climb would require an extraordinary catalyst.
Could Spot ETFs and Stablecoins Boost XRP?
Some speculate that upcoming spot ETFs could drive fresh capital into XRP, while Ripple’s new stablecoin launch might attract attention. However, bitcoin remains the primary beneficiary of institutional interest, especially since the approval of multiple bitcoin ETFs earlier this year.
Even if XRP rallies, it faces the uphill task of narrowing a trillion-dollar gap in valuation.
XRP’s 2025 Surge and the Trump Effect
XRP surged 600% in early 2025, hitting a 52-week high of $3.39, largely fueled by optimism around the Trump administration’s pro-crypto stance. Key wins like the SEC dropping its lawsuit and the inclusion of XRP in the U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile drove investor enthusiasm.
But since January, XRP has fallen 45%, showing that it remains vulnerable to broader market risks like inflation and trade tariffs—pressures that also affect bitcoin, albeit to a lesser extent.
Can XRP Overtake Bitcoin in Utility?
While bitcoin is mostly seen as a store of value—similar to gold—XRP was built for cross-border transactions. Its utility lies in faster, cheaper money transfers across global networks, and it’s already being used by banks and financial institutions.
That said, bitcoin’s simplicity and decentralized nature are what make it a preferred asset among institutional and retail investors. Its adoption as “digital gold” may limit its utility but secures its status as a long-term value reservoir.
XRP at $3.84? Unlikely to Close the Gap
Even if XRP hits its all-time high of $3.84 again, it still falls dramatically short of bitcoin’s valuation. A doubling from its current $2 to $4 would still leave it trailing by over $1 trillion in market cap.
While XRP has more utility in payments, bitcoin’s market strength, security, and institutional support make it almost impossible to dethrone in the near term.