CNBC has simply labeled XRP (XRP) as the most well liked crypto commerce of the yr, as robust worth efficiency pushes the token again into the highlight.
The altcoin has began 2026 on a robust word, posting the second-largest positive aspects among the many high 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
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XRP Outperforms Massive-Cap Friends in Early 2026
BeInCrypto Markets knowledge confirmed that because the starting of January 2026, XRP’s worth has appreciated by 24%, considerably outperforming Bitcoin’s (BTC) 5.5% achieve and Ethereum’s (ETH) 9.7% return.
XRP’s advance locations it among the many strongest performers within the large-cap section, second solely to Dogecoin (DOGE). The meme coin is up 28.6% and presently leads the highest 20 by year-to-date returns.
The rally has additionally allowed XRP to overhaul BNB, establishing itself because the fourth-largest digital asset by market capitalization. Nonetheless, the transfer has not been linear.
The broader crypto market skilled a modest correction in the present day, pushed by profit-taking after practically per week of sustained positive aspects. Because of this, XRP additionally noticed a pullback. On the time of writing, XRP was buying and selling at $2.28. This represented a decline of two.47% over the previous 24 hours.
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CNBC Highlights XRP because the “New Cryptocurrency Darling” of 2026
Regardless of the short-term correction, XRP’s broader rally has not gone unnoticed. CNBC famous that XRP has quietly turn out to be the breakout commerce of crypto’s 2026 rally, even referring to it because the “new cryptocurrency darling.”
“The most well liked crypto commerce of the yr shouldn’t be Bitcoin, it’s not Ether, it’s XRP,” CNBC’s Energy Lunch host Brian Sullivan acknowledged.
CNBC host Mackenzie Sigalos defined that XRP drew traders throughout a interval when broader curiosity in most main cryptocurrencies was subdued, and that finally paid off. Through the weak market situations within the fourth quarter, many traders added publicity to XRP ETFs.
This stood out as a result of with spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs, traders normally comply with worth momentum. With XRP, the habits was the other.
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“But it surely was the truth that it’s a approach to have a better proportion bounce. So individuals had been shopping for the dip with XRP in This autumn, considering this can be a much less crowded commerce than Bitcoin or Ether. After which that proved out to be true. Simply within the first six buying and selling days of January,” Sigalos remarked.
BeInCrypto lately reported that XRP ETFs have recorded uninterrupted inflows since their launch. Knowledge from SoSoValue exhibits that cumulative inflows into XRP spot ETFs have reached $1.25 billion. The merchandise pulled in $19.12 million in web inflows on January 6.
Analyst Chad Steingraber projected that continued ETF inflows might end in as a lot as 4.8 billion XRP being absorbed by ETFs by 2026, primarily based on assumed every day purchases of 20 million XRP.
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“What occurs when the XRP ETFs are taking 20 Million XRP per day from the market?….20 Million XRP Per Day x5 – 100 Million XRP Per Buying and selling Week. 100 Million XRP Per Week x4 – 400 Million XRP Per Buying and selling Month. 400 Million XRP Per Month x12 – 4.8Billion XRP in 2026” Steingraber wrote.
If such sustained accumulation had been to materialize, it might considerably scale back accessible market provide. This might doubtlessly exert upward stress on XRP’s worth, relying on broader demand and market situations. Moreover ETFs, Sigalos instructed that XRP’s long-standing position in cross-border funds has strengthened its narrative.
Nevertheless, analyst Dom argued that XRP’s worth surge shouldn’t be pushed by robust shopping for demand, however by different elements. Particularly, very skinny ask liquidity (sell-side liquidity) has created situations for costs to rise.
“This was not pushed by aggressive market shopping for. Most exchanges are web adverse on taker quantity, which exhibits the distinction between actual demand and distinctive orderbook dynamics,” he stated. “I’ll be retaining shut eyes as such a development shouldn’t be ultimate except bids begin chasing and supporting.”
Whereas XRP’s robust begin to 2026 and sustained ETF inflows have strengthened its breakout narrative, analysts stay divided on the sustainability of the rally. Whether or not the present uptrend can proceed stays to be seen.