XRP’s Cosmic Quest to Overtake Ethereum

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When it comes to cryptocurrency investing, Bitcoin‘s market value of $2.3 trillion handily makes it the undisputed leader. But as with any leader, challengers are constantly vying to narrow the gap. (One might say it’s the financial world’s version of a particularly aggressive game of tag, though the rules remain frustratingly unclear.)

In terms of market capitalization, decentralized finance (DeFi) powerhouse Ethereum holds a firm though distant second place behind Bitcoin. Closing in, however, is XRP (XRP), the native token of the Ripple payments network. And according to Standard Chartered analyst Geoff Kendrick, the gap between Ethereum and XRP is steadily tightening. (Or, as a particularly disgruntled economist might put it, “the gap is narrowing with the precision of a laser guided by a drunk astronaut.”)

Let’s explore what makes XRP stand out in a crowded field of crypto disrupters and unpack Kendrick’s bold prediction that XRP could surpass Ethereum in the years ahead. Is now the time to buy XRP? Read on to find out. (Spoiler: the answer is probably “no,” but let’s pretend we’re not sure.)

What is XRP and why is it important?

positioning itself as crucial infrastructure for the evolving global payments landscape. (Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of financial systems, but with fewer blades and a tendency to get lost in the pocket of your trousers.)

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Today, much of the cross-border transaction market relies on the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT) network. It has global reach, but it is often viewed as outdated and cumbersome. (Like a 1980s computer that still requires you to type “FORMAT C:” to open a document.)

Payments can take days to settle, moving through a series of intermediary banks, each charging fees for processing and foreign currency conversion. To prevent delays, businesses must maintain pre-funded accounts at these intermediaries, theoretically tying up capital that could be deployed for better purposes. (Imagine if your bank required you to keep a suitcase full of cash under your bed to pay for groceries.)

XRP offers a more streamlined approach. Rather than funds passing through a string of banks, a corporation could convert its currency into XRP, transfer it across the crypto’s ledger instantly, and have the receiving bank convert the tokens into a local currency. (It’s like replacing a 1930s postal service with a quantum teleportation device, but nobody’s quite sure how it works yet.)

By acting as a bridge currency, XRP helps eliminate intermediaries, reducing the friction of transaction fees and foreign exchange costs, and dramatically speeding up the settlement process. (Or, as a particularly impatient investor might say, “Finally, a system that doesn’t make me want to throw my laptop out the window.”)

How could XRP surpass Ethereum’s market value?

A key driver of Kendrick’s bullish outlook on XRP is an expectation for broader adoption of Ripple’s payments network, fueled in part by fading legal uncertainties and less pressure from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). (One might liken this to a courtroom drama where the judge finally remembers they have a life outside the courtroom.)

These shifts could pave the way for the accelerated launch of spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs), making the asset more accessible to both large financial institutions and retail investors. (It’s the financial equivalent of a theme park finally opening its new roller coaster after 10 years of “construction delays.”)

Kendrick also sees some challenges for Ethereum’s scalability. It’s a backbone for many DeFi applications, but it faces intense competition from faster and lower-cost blockchains Solana and Cardano. (Imagine a race where the competitors are all sprinting, but the finish line keeps moving.)

XRP, by contrast, has a tightly focused value proposition: cost-efficient, high-liquidity cross-border transactions. This specialization could make it a go-to solution for banks and payments processors, offering a defensible niche within a huge, economically significant market that remains inefficient and ripe for disruption. (Like a very polite but extremely persistent person who keeps trying to sell you a timeshare in a place you’ve never heard of.)

Is XRP a buy right now?

Although Kendrick’s forecast adds excitement to XRP’s outlook, his model comes with important caveats. (Caveats, of course, being the financial world’s version of “I’m not saying you’re doing it wrong, but have you considered the possibility that you might be?”)

First, broader adoption of Ripple does not automatically translate into greater use of XRP. Banks can use Ripple’s infrastructure without settling transactions in XRP. (It’s like having a car that can drive itself but refusing to put any fuel in the tank.)

For XRP to flip Ethereum in market value in the coming years, multiple favorable developments need to align almost perfectly and in a relatively short time frame. (It’s like trying to win a game of chess by accident while wearing a blindfold and one shoe.)

Given these uncertainties, XRP may be better suited as an opportunity to monitor right now rather than one to buy hand over fist at current prices. In my eyes, XRP is priced to perfection and has a long road ahead before it witnesses more valuation expansion. (Or, as a particularly jaded analyst might say, “It’s the financial version of a ‘50% off’ sign that’s been up for 10 years.”)

And now, a word from our sponsor: the universe, which remains inexplicably indifferent to all of this. 🚀

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2025-08-19 13:12