XRP News Today: XRP Surges 200% Against Bitcoin, Prompting Rivalry Claims

Charles Shrem, a prominent figure in the crypto world and the host of the Blockchain Backer channel on YouTube, has made a bold statement asserting that XRP could potentially challenge Bitcoin's dominance. Shrem, known for his bullish stance on XRP, has been vocal about the altcoin's potential for years. His recent claim comes at a time when XRP has experienced significant volatility against Bitcoin.

According to market data, XRP saw a remarkable surge of over 200% against Bitcoin from November 2024 to January 2025. However, this upward trend was short-lived, as XRP lost approximately 30% of its value against Bitcoin since February 2025. During this period, Bitcoin continued to set new all-time highs, highlighting the rapid fluctuations that characterize the crypto market.

Shrem's assertion that XRP poses a threat to Bitcoin is not new, but his recent statements have been more direct. He suggests that Bitcoin enthusiasts feel threatened by XRP's potential, pointing to online disputes where Bitcoin maximalists have criticized XRP and its supporters. Shrem interprets these attacks as evidence of XRP's growing influence and significance within the crypto community.

In January 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to study a "digital asset stockpile," which sparked discussions within the crypto community. Although the order did not explicitly mention XRP, some Bitcoin supporters blamed XRP and Ripple's CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, for advocating for the inclusion of the altcoin. This led to heated online debates, which Shrem views as further proof of XRP's rising prominence.

Despite its recent volatility, XRP still has a considerable journey ahead. Currently trading at approximately $2.19, XRP has a market cap of $129.4 billion, placing it behind Ethereum, which has a market cap of $295 billion. To match Ethereum's market cap, XRP would need to increase by 135% to reach $5. To surpass Bitcoin's market cap of $2.125 trillion, XRP's price would need to surge by approximately 1,620% to $36. In October, analyst Dark Defender predicted that XRP could reach $36, a forecast that seems ambitious given the current market conditions.

XRP's rapid price movements and its association with banks and quick payment systems set it apart from Bitcoin. However, displacing Bitcoin would require overcoming a significant lead in adoption and market share. Shrem's claims have generated significant attention, but whether XRP can translate this talk into actual market gains remains to be seen. For crypto enthusiasts, the potential rivalry between XRP and Bitcoin is a storyline to watch closely in the coming months.