During CNBC’s Power Lunch segment, the network singled out XRP as the hottest cryptocurrency of the year, placing it ahead of Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Specifically, CNBC anchor Brian Sullivan highlighted XRP’s strong start to the year, noting that it has already climbed more than 20%. This move outperforms several major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Sullivan explained that XRP has moved up to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. Amid this, he declared that the hottest crypto trade of the year is neither Bitcoin nor Ethereum, but XRP.
XRP Outperforms Bitcoin and Ethereum
Notably, XRP’s rise marks a sharp reversal from the bearish pressure it faced last month. Entering 2026 with strong momentum, the token opened the year at $1.84 and quickly posted consistent gains. This upward trend pushed XRP to a year-to-date high of $2.41, representing a 30.97% surge.
By comparison, Bitcoin and Ethereum started the year at $87,508 and $2,967, respectively, and have so far reached highs of $94,762 and $3,303. These moves translate to gains of 8.28% for Bitcoin and 11.32% for Ethereum. The disparity reinforces XRP’s position as the standout performer so far this year among large-cap assets.
Meanwhile, XRP has surrendered some gains amid the market pullback and now trades at $2.25. Yet, it remains up 22.28% year-to-date.
Factors Fueling XRP Rally
Commenting on the rally, CNBC’s MacKenzie Sigalos attributed XRP’s strong performance to a mix of strategic investor positioning, market rotation, and shifting blockchain priorities.
According to Sigalos, investors quietly accumulated XRP throughout Q4 2025, even as the crypto market remained largely stagnant. Unlike spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, whose inflows and outflows often mirror price movements, XRP ETFs continued to attract buyers during the downturn. As a result, these funds recorded cumulative net inflows of $1 billion, with zero outflows, in the first month of going live.
Moreover, Sigalos suggested that many investors viewed XRP as a less crowded trade with greater upside potential than Bitcoin or Ethereum. That strategy, she noted, quickly paid off in the first days of January.
Beyond positioning, she also pointed to a shift in investor interest toward altcoins with clearer or faster-growing use cases. While Bitcoin and Ethereum are now well understood and increasingly mainstream, XRP and Solana are emerging as the “next big thing” in the crypto market.
In particular, Sigalos emphasized that XRP’s long-standing role in cross-border payments remains central to its appeal.
Further, she highlighted XRP’s speed and cost efficiency as key advantages that continue to attract real-world financial applications. In her view, these factors suggest that capital is rotating toward assets and blockchains positioned for the next phase of financial innovation—a shift now reflected in XRP’s impressive start to the year.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
XRP Completes Bounce and Analyst Expects Wave 3 Down Price Movement, XRP Positioned for Bull Run
Altcoin XRP completes bounce and analyst expects action.
First a wave 3 down price movement will occur for XRP to fall below $1.
After this a surge to new ATH is expected as the altcoin is positioned for a bull run.
The crypto community has been patiently waiting for a bullish
CryptoNewsLand1h ago
XRP Stabilizes Near Key Levels Amid Fed Pressure and Rule Shift
Key Insights
XRP stabilized near $1.31 as macroeconomic pressures and declining liquidity combined to limit recovery momentum and increase short-term volatility risks significantly.
Proposed stablecoin regulations favor utility models, positioning RLUSD for growth while reducing incentives t
CryptoNewsLand5h ago
XRP Today’s News: Institutional funds return, circulating inflow of 120 million exceeds Bitcoin
This week, XRP recorded a $119.6 million capital inflow, setting the highest mark since 2025 and becoming a major beneficiary in the crypto market. This round of funds returning was mainly driven by greater clarity in regulatory policy and XRP’s real-world use in cross-border payment infrastructure. Technically, it shows an initial recovery, but overall it is still in a downward channel. The support and resistance levels are $1.31 and $1.40, respectively; if it breaks through, it is expected to reach $1.50.
MarketWhisper7h ago
XRP drops to $1.33, with $3.32 million in ETF inflows still failing to reverse the downtrend; the key support to watch is $1.28
In April 2026, the XRP price pulled back to $1.33, down about 4%. Although there was capital inflow into Ripple-related products, selling pressure dominated the market, and increased trading volume signaled distribution. Declining liquidity further heightens volatility risk; watch the $1.33 support—if it breaks, prices will likely fall further. For a short-term rebound, it needs to break above $1.35; otherwise, it should remain in a weak range-bound consolidation.
GateNews8h ago
XRP Price Structure Signals More Downside — Key Levels to Watch
XRP fails to make new highs, confirming bearish market structure remains intact.
Price targets $1.13, $1.08, and potentially $0.87 support levels.
Traders should wait for confirmation instead of reacting to short-term price moves.
Short bursts of green candles can quickly shift market
CryptoNewsLand8h ago
XRP Liquidation Imbalance Jumps 1,278% Amid Short Seller Wipeout - U.Today
Short sellers of XRP faced significant losses as the asset's price rebounded over 4%, resulting in $2.63 million liquidated. The increase in price and trading volume, coupled with institutional interest, indicates positive market sentiment despite caution around resistance levels.
UToday8h ago
