Ripple has received official confirmation from U.S. authorities, marking an important milestone for this blockchain company and their native token, XRP. This recognition highlights Ripple's charitable initiatives and the company's growing influence in the field of financial inclusion and blockchain innovation.
XRP Challenges Ethereum's No. 2 Position
In Q2 2025, XRP surpassed Ethereum in retail trading revenue on Coinbase, accounting for 13% of the platform's retail trading income compared to 12% for Ethereum. Analysts suggest that this shift is due to increased retail demand, interest from new institutions, and growing speculation around potential XRP ETFs.
This is not the first time XRP has risen to the second position. In January 2018, its market cap briefly surpassed Ethereum. Now, with XRP liquidity surging and price forecasts predicting a 500% increase to $12.50 by 2028, XRP may once again surpass ETH - especially if Ethereum's growth momentum slows.
However, despite Ethereum boasting a deep network of developers and strong Layer 2 activity, recent ETF capital inflows have stalled. This could create an opportunity for XRP to reclaim the No. 2 position if the current trend persists.
Bitcoin Remains the Mountain to Climb
Despite the achievements, XRP still faces a long road to ascend to the throne of Bitcoin. As of mid-2025, Bitcoin's market capitalization reached over $2 trillion, compared to about $138 billion for XRP. To catch up, XRP will need to increase nearly 1,500% - a feat that is unlikely to occur without the approval of major institutions and multiple ETFs.
Although XRP has shown strength in specific markets like India - where it has surpassed Bitcoin in trading volume - a historical shift in demand is needed to dethrone Bitcoin as the industry's flagship asset.