XRP News Today: Stellar Surpasses Bitcoin Cash in Market Cap, Joins Nasdaq Index

Stellar (XLM) has recently surpassed Bitcoin Cash (BCH) in market capitalization, marking a significant shift in the cryptocurrency rankings. Stellar's market capitalization now stands at approximately $8.4 billion, edging past Bitcoin Cash's $8.25 billion. This development positions Stellar as the 16th largest cryptocurrency by market value. The change in rankings is notable as it reflects the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency market, where the value of digital assets can fluctuate based on various factors including market sentiment, technological advancements, and regulatory developments.

The Nasdaq Crypto U.S. Settlement Price Index has undergone a major update, further boosting Stellar's prominence in the crypto space. The index, which previously focused on a select few cryptocurrencies, has expanded to include Stellar Lumens (XLM) alongside other notable digital assets such as Cardano, Solana, and XRP. This inclusion signals growing institutional recognition and acceptance of Stellar as a viable and valuable cryptocurrency. The expanded index is a benchmark used by regulated funds, hinting at a potential shift in regulatory attitudes towards altcoins. This development has renewed market hopes for altcoin-based exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as the presence of Stellar in a benchmark index used by regulated funds suggests a changing landscape for cryptocurrency investments.

The addition of Stellar to the Nasdaq Crypto U.S. Settlement Price Index is a significant milestone for the cryptocurrency. It indicates that Stellar is gaining traction among institutional investors and is being recognized as a legitimate digital asset. This recognition can lead to increased investment and adoption, further solidifying Stellar's position in the crypto market. The inclusion in the index also provides a level of legitimacy and credibility to Stellar, which can attract more investors and users to the platform. The Nasdaq Crypto U.S. Settlement Price Index is a widely followed benchmark in the cryptocurrency industry, and its expansion to include Stellar is a testament to the cryptocurrency's growing importance and potential.

Institutional interest in digital assets is on the rise, and four major cryptocurrencies—XRP, Solana (SOL), Cardano (ADA), and Stellar (XLM)—are now in the spotlight following their inclusion in the Nasdaq Crypto U.S. Settlement Price Index. This listing is not merely symbolic, it could translate to increased capital inflows, improved liquidity, and heightened market stability for the included tokens. Stellar’s surge isn’t just about numbers. Its blockchain is designed to facilitate fast, low-cost cross-border payments and the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs). Operating across 70+ countries, Stellar has processed over $17 billion in transaction volume, with $522 million in assets currently tokenized on-chain. Its ongoing development of the Soroban smart contract platform, focused on scalability and developer usability, further strengthens its ecosystem.

Similarly, XRP, SOL, and ADA have continued to draw attention for their unique technical propositions. XRP remains central to Ripple’s cross-border payment infrastructure, despite regulatory hurdles. Solana stands out for its high-speed transactions and robust NFT and DeFi ecosystems. Cardano, known for its methodical development approach, continues expanding its smart contract capabilities and global reach. The Nasdaq index inclusion collectively elevates these projects in the eyes of institutional investors, legitimizing them as more than speculative assets. With ETFs and index funds increasingly becoming the gateway for traditional finance to enter the crypto space, inclusion in such indices can be a powerful catalyst for growth.

In contrast, Bitcoin Cash has maintained a steady position in the top 20 but lacks the recent momentum seen in Stellar and its peers. Analysts suggest that without major technological upgrades or renewed adoption, BCH may struggle to reclaim higher rankings amid intensifying competition. The update to the Nasdaq Crypto U.S. Settlement Price Index is not just a reflection of Stellar's market capitalization but also a recognition of its technological advancements and use cases. Stellar is known for its fast and low-cost transactions, making it an attractive option for cross-border payments and remittances. The cryptocurrency's inclusion in the index can further enhance its reputation as a reliable and efficient digital asset, attracting more users and investors to the platform. The update to the index is a positive development for the entire cryptocurrency market, as it signals a growing acceptance of digital assets by institutional investors and regulators. This can lead to increased investment and adoption, further driving the growth of the cryptocurrency industry.