CNBC’s Power Lunch segment just crowned XRP as the hottest crypto trade of 2026, overtaking both Bitcoin and Ethereum. CNBC highlighted how investors are shifting focus from mature cryptocurrencies to higher-beta opportunities like XRP.
Why XRP is beating BTC and ETH right now:
1. Already up more than 20% in 2026.
2. Climbed into the top three cryptocurrencies by market value, with "big money behind this trade."
3. Pooled interest from ETFs compared to Bitcoin's fluctuating flows.
XRP’s growth is supported by steady inflows into spot XRP ETFs and a drop in exchange-held balances. It's currently trading around $2.25 after a recent pullback of about 5%, showing its strong potential despite being below its all-time high.
Meanwhile, BTC is hovering just under $92,000, down slightly on the day. ETH is holding near $3,200 but with weaker long-term momentum.
XRP’s appeal extends beyond its cross-border payment use case—it's also a popular altcoin for Solana’s fast and low-cost asset tokenization.
As Morgan Stanley files to launch Bitcoin and Solana ETFs, and Coinbase integrates Solana decentralized exchange for 100 million users, XRP is set to continue its rise in the new crypto landscape. 🚀
Are you bullish on XRP heading into 2026? 👇