XRP Takes the Crown As Hottest 2026 Crypto Trade, Edges Out BTC and ETH

The XRP token is making ripples in the crypto industry, with Wall Street media CNBC TV hailing the altcoin as the hottest crypto trade of 2026.  According to MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC’s finance and tech correspondent, the Ripple token has been outperforming top players like Bitcoin and Ether, even remaining resilient during the broader crypto market crash.

XRP Overtakes BTC and ETH, Says CNBC

Speaking at the Power Launch segment, CNBC’s Brian Sullivan underscored the XRP token’s strong start to the year. He declared Ripple crypto as the hottest digital asset of the year, sparking widespread optimism.

Notably, CNBC named Ripple’s native cryptocurrency as the top performer of the year, outshining Bitcoin and Ethereum. Within a span of seven days, the XRP price has shown a massive surge of 20% while BTC and ETH are lagging behind with just 4% and 9% hikes, respectively.

It is noteworthy that the development comes hot on the heels of Ripple’s rejection of IPO rumors. While the XRP community has been keenly awaiting Ripple becoming public soon, the team confirmed that they will remain private for now. President Monica Long stated, “We’re in a really healthy position to continue to fund and invest in our company’s growth without going public.”

What Sets Ripple Token Apart?

Interestingly, the CNBC representative highlighted the unique position of XRP as a bridge asset. Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other assets, XRP focuses on payments, particularly cross-border settlements. This makes the token a unique player in the larger crypto market.

“XRP is trying to be the exchange layer that moves value between currencies,” stated CNBC’s MacKenzie Sigalos. She added,

“So money is moving into XRP for three big reasons. First, the regulatory overhang has finally cleared as Ripple has fully wrapped up its SEC fight as of August 2nd. It’s a less crowded trade than Bitcoin or Ether. And third, the flows have held up even during the Q4 dip. Investors kept adding to XRP-focused funds while Bitcoin ETF flows fell with the price.”

Further, Sigalos commented on the growing demand for the Ripple token. She pointed out that the cryptocurrency has been largely accumulated by investors in Q4 2025 when the broader market sank into high volatility. Reportedly, XRP ETF net inflows reached a massive $1 billion, with zero outflows, in the first month of launch.

According to her, this increasing demand for Ripple’s coin is indicative of the community’s shift in interest towards altcoins from Bitcoin. The token’s key features, like speed, cost-efficiency, and cross-broader payment role, attract more users to it.