XRP Overtakes BNB as Fourth-Largest Crypto After 8% Price Surge in 24 Hours

XRP has risen to the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, overtaking BNB in recent 24-hour trading. This move followed an 8% price increase, driven by growing institutional interest and regulatory clarity.

The shift reflects broader market dynamics as XRP ETFs continue to attract consistent inflows. With more than 30 days of net inflows reported, investors are increasingly using regulated vehicles to gain exposure to the token.

Uphold confirmed that XRP was the most traded asset on its platform in 2025, a sign of sustained community engagement and market activity according to recent data.

Why Did This Happen?

Legal developments in late 2025 provided clarity on XRP's status, reducing regulatory uncertainty for institutional investors. The launch of the first XRP ETF also contributed to increased demand.

Additionally, Uphold expanded XRP's utility in 2025, including yield-based options tied to the Flare Network. This helped maintain XRP's trading volume even during a weak altcoin market according to platform data.

How Did Markets React?

BNB briefly overtook XRP in late 2025, reaching a market cap of $182 billion and a price of $1,326 according to CoinMarketCap. However, the momentum shifted in favor of XRP in the final days of 2025. XRP trading volume surged 65% as traders made last-minute moves ahead of the new year according to TradingView.

XRP's price rebounded to $1.87, up 1.2% in the last 24 hours. This follows a multi-week decline from a peak of $2.06, with XRP trading within a tight range for most of December according to TradingView data.

What Are Analysts Watching Next?

Analysts are closely monitoring XRP ETF inflows and institutional adoption. Roundhill Trust recently amended its filing for an XRP Covered Call Strategy ETF, signaling growing acceptance of XRP in traditional finance.

Crypto analyst Zach Rector predicted that XRP ETFs could accumulate between 3 billion and 5 billion XRP by 2026. This would represent roughly 3% to 5% of the total supply, according to market analysis assuming current inflow trends continue.

XRP's potential as a cross-border payment solution is also being closely watched. Ripple's network offers faster and cheaper transactions compared to traditional systems like SWIFT, which could drive long-term adoption according to market reports.

Investors are also tracking broader market conditions, including the Federal Reserve's rate path. These factors will influence how XRP and other cryptocurrencies perform in 2026 according to market analysis.

With BNB Chain reporting 60 million monthly active addresses, competition remains strong. However, XRP's recent performance and ETF momentum suggest it is regaining ground in the crypto hierarchy according to market data.