XRP Price Rally Outshines Bitcoin and Ethereum: Here’s How 

Ripple (XRP) has staged one of the most dramatic comebacks in cryptocurrency history. The digital asset, once considered “dead money” following its SEC lawsuit, is now up 370% year-to-date, trading near $2.85. 

This performance outpaces both Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), which have gained 167% and 76% respectively, in 2025.

Price and Return Comparison: Jan 2024 – Sep 2025

Ripple vs SEC Clarity Sparks XRP Bull Run

The Ripple vs SEC lawsuit in late 2020 was once seen as an existential threat. XRP’s price collapsed from $0.50 to $0.17, and many U.S. exchanges delisted the token.

That changed in 2024, when Ripple secured a favorable settlement. The court ruled XRP is not a security, ending years of uncertainty.

“This was the turning point,” said Edino Fina, co-founder of Alpha Lions Academy. “Without the regulatory cloud, institutional money felt safe entering XRP. The market re-rated it almost overnight.”

Ripple Institutional adoption fuels momentum

After the legal victory, Ripple made new partnerships, most notably with BNY Mellon, America’s oldest bank. Several firms also disclosed over $1 billion in XRP reserves, a signal of growing institutional confidence.

“The Ripple-BNY Mellon partnership legitimized XRP as more than just a speculative asset,” said crypto strategist Maya Rodriguez. “It positioned XRP as a bridge currency for the banking system.”

Concerns about XRP centralization remain

Despite the surge, critics point out that Ripple still controls around 40% of XRP’s total supply. Some analysts warn that this concentration could put downward pressure on prices if large amounts are sold into the market.

“XRP has always faced skepticism about centralization,” said independent analyst Richard Lee. “That hasn’t gone away. The question is whether adoption can outweigh those concerns.”

XRP Ledger (XRPL) upgrades give XRP a competitive edge

While Bitcoin dominates as “digital gold” and Ethereum leads in smart contracts, XRP has carved out a niche in cross-border payments. Upgrades to the XRP Ledger (XRPL) have cut settlement times to just seconds.

“Speed and efficiency matter,” said influencer Ben Armstrong, known as BitBoy Crypto. “You can’t ignore a blockchain that settles global payments faster than SWIFT.”

This combination of real-world use cases and regulatory clarity has been key to XRP’s rise.

XRP Price Prediction

The XRP price rally began in late 2024, when the token surged from $0.50 to $340 within weeks. By 2025, momentum carried it to new highs.

Jamie Rogozinski, founder of WallStreetBets, commented: “It’s unbelievable. XRP went from being written off to outperforming every major crypto asset. It shows you how quickly sentiment can flip.”

Still, XRP Price has not yet surpassed its all-time high of $3.84 set in 2018.

The loyal XRP community, known as the XRP Army, has stuck with the token through years of criticism, exchange delistings, and price drops. Many held on, even joking about the famous $589 prediction.

“It feels like justice,” said longtime holder Sarah Nguyen. “We were mocked for believing in XRP, but patience is finally paying off.”

Looking forward, analysts are divided. Some, like Fina, believe XRP could eventually reach $100 or higher, offering more than 40x upside from current levels if adoption grows. Others caution that speculative hype may have driven prices too far, too fast.

“What was once a toxic asset is now being seriously considered for institutional portfolios,” said asset manager Daniel Kim. “But whether XRP’s rally is sustainable will depend on real-world usage.”

XRP’s 2025 price surge has changed the crypto market. With clear regulations, support from institutions, and a strong community, XRP has gone from being overlooked to leading the pack.