XRP defies market slump, closes in on top-three crypto spot

XRP has surged 17% in 2025, outperforming major cryptocurrencies and edging closer to reclaiming its spot as the third-largest digital asset.

XRP has been among the top-performing cryptocurrencies in 2025, defying the downward trends in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other top digital assets. In the midst of the broader crypto market downturns, XRP has surged by a whopping 17% year-to-date (YTD), the sole top-10 cryptocurrency to record net gains this year and as XRP continues its upward streak, the question on every investor’s mind is: What’s driving the rally and can it claim status as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization?

At the start of 2025, Bitcoin and Ethereum were expected to pace the market, but both have been unable to retain their value; Bitcoin (BTC) has dropped 6.62% YTD and Ethereum (ETH) has taken an even bigger hit, falling 38.38%. Dogecoin (DOGE), another very popular cryptocurrency, has fallen 39% over the same period. XRP’s resilience has set it apart from the rest of the pack, gaining 17% YTD and outperforming most major digital assets.

Investors holding their funds in a cryptocurrency wallet have been watching this trend closely, as XRP’s growing market activity could be a sign of a changing of the guard among leading cryptocurrencies. XRP’s market cap is now over $142 billion and earlier this month temporarily passed Tether (USDT) as the third-largest cryptocurrency. Although it is now ranked fourth, analysts estimate a 6-7% price increase would again push it past USDT, cementing its status as a top-three digital asset.

One of the key catalysts for XRP’s streak has been its widening investor base. On-chain analytics firm Santiment reports that the number of XRP holders has increased by over 8% YTD, with 490,000 new investors joining the ecosystem, and this increase in adoption is a mark of growing confidence in XRP’s long-term outlook.

Additionally, daily active addresses on the XRP network have spiked. XRP started the year with 56,261 active addresses, but this figure spiked to 612,340 last week. This exponential increase in network activity is an indicator of higher usage and engagement, both of which are good omens for future price action. As more investors join XRP, the network’s strength continues to increase, further setting it apart from other assets that have underperformed in 2025.

XRP’s price action and adoption trends suggest that it can reclaim the third-largest crypto spot in 2025. XRP has historically been a titan within the crypto space, and recent price action suggests firm momentum. If XRP remains on its current growth trajectory and tacks on an additional 6-7% in value, it would be in a position to surpass Tether (USDT) in market capitalization once again.

The possibility of an extended rally is also increased by the number of institutional players who have shown interest in XRP, which serves as another source of stability and potential upside for the asset. With its expanding holder base, increasing daily active addresses, and strong price action, XRP is well-positioned for further growth.

However, as with any cryptocurrency, externalities in the form of regulatory intervention, macroeconomic trends, and overall market sentiment will play a large role in determining its future trajectory. A shift in the U.S. Federal Reserve’s monetary policy or negative legal rulings could impact XRP’s potential for further growth.

Nevertheless, XRP’s strong performance in 2025 has undoubtedly made it a point of interest for retail and institutional investors alike, and its relative resilience to broader market drawdowns suggests that it may have even more room to run in the months ahead.