In a dramatic shift within the cryptocurrency market, XRP has surged past USDT to reclaim its position as the third-largest digital asset by market capitalization. Over the past 24 hours, XRP's price climbed by 10%, reaching $2.6 and pushing its total market cap to approximately **$152 billion**, according to CoinGecko data.
This milestone comes amid growing optimism surrounding Ripple’s legal resolution with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its expanding footprint in institutional finance.
Meanwhile, Tether’s USDT also achieved a significant benchmark—its market cap hit a record $150 billion on Monday, reinforcing its dominance as the most widely adopted stablecoin in the crypto ecosystem.
Despite this, XRP’s momentum has temporarily placed it ahead in rankings, marking a pivotal moment for the long-contested digital asset.
XRP Reaches Highest Level Since March
XRP is now trading at its highest point since early March, though it remains about 24% below its all-time high of $3.4, which was set back in January 2018. Still, the recent rally reflects renewed investor confidence and increasing speculation around regulatory clarity and institutional adoption.
This isn’t the first time XRP has claimed the third spot. In December of last year, it briefly overtook both USDT and Solana with a market cap exceeding $140 billion. That surge was fueled by favorable sentiment following U.S. election developments perceived as pro-crypto, along with growing chatter about potential approvals for spot XRP ETFs.
Today’s price movement suggests those same catalysts are resurfacing—this time with stronger fundamentals behind them.
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SEC Settlement Paves Way for New Growth
One of the most significant drivers behind XRP’s latest rally is the announcement last Friday that Ripple and the SEC have filed a joint motion to settle their long-running legal battle. The proposed settlement involves Ripple paying $50 million, pending court approval.
Crucially, the agreement would allow Ripple to regain access to $125 million currently held in escrow, providing much-needed liquidity for future operations. More importantly, it upholds a prior court ruling that clarified certain XRP sales do not constitute unregistered securities offerings—a landmark decision for the broader crypto industry.
Legal clarity has long been a major hurdle for institutional investment in XRP. With this settlement on the horizon, many analysts believe it could open doors for wider adoption by banks, payment providers, and asset managers who previously hesitated due to regulatory uncertainty.
Strategic Acquisitions Expand Ripple’s Institutional Reach
Beyond resolving its legal challenges, Ripple has been actively strengthening its position in global financial infrastructure through strategic acquisitions and partnerships.
In April, the company announced a $1.25 billion deal to acquire Hidden Road, a multi-asset prime broker serving institutional clients. This acquisition is expected to enhance Ripple’s financial services capabilities, particularly in post-trade settlement and liquidity management.
Notably, Hidden Road plans to migrate its post-trade operations onto the XRP Ledger (XRPL)—a move that could significantly increase real-world utility and transaction volume on the network.
Additionally, Ripple made headlines last month when reports revealed it submitted a bid valued between $4 billion and $5 billion to acquire Circle, the issuer of USDC—one of the largest dollar-backed stablecoins. While Circle ultimately rejected the offer, citing undervaluation ahead of its planned IPO, the attempt signals Ripple’s ambition to become a dominant player in the stablecoin and institutional payments space.
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Why Market Rank Matters: Signals of Trust and Adoption
Being ranked among the top three cryptocurrencies isn’t just symbolic—it reflects investor trust, liquidity depth, and ecosystem strength. For XRP, reclaiming this spot underscores growing confidence in its technology, use cases, and regulatory trajectory.
Unlike purely speculative assets, XRP is designed for fast, low-cost cross-border payments—a function increasingly adopted by financial institutions worldwide. The XRP Ledger supports settlements in seconds with minimal fees, making it an attractive alternative to traditional banking rails like SWIFT.
As more institutions explore blockchain-based solutions for remittances and treasury management, XRP’s underlying infrastructure stands to benefit directly.
Core Keywords Driving Market Interest
The resurgence of XRP is closely tied to several key themes shaping today’s crypto landscape:
- XRP price surge
- Ripple SEC settlement
- XRP market cap
- USDT vs XRP
- XRP Ledger adoption
- spot XRP ETF
- institutional crypto adoption
- stablecoin competition
These keywords reflect not only current market dynamics but also long-term trends influencing investor behavior and platform development across decentralized finance.
Their natural integration into news cycles and technical analyses helps improve search visibility while aligning content with real user intent—whether that’s tracking price movements or understanding regulatory impacts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What caused XRP to overtake USDT in market cap?
XRP’s temporary rise above USDT was driven by a 10% price increase to $2.6 within 24 hours, fueled by positive sentiment around Ripple’s proposed $50 million settlement with the SEC and expectations of increased institutional adoption.
Is XRP now more valuable than USDT?
As of this report, XRP holds a market cap of approximately $152 billion, slightly ahead of USDT’s $150 billion. However, market rankings fluctuate frequently due to price volatility and changes in stablecoin supply.
Could a spot XRP ETF be approved soon?
While no official application has been approved yet, Ripple’s progressing legal resolution with the SEC has reignited speculation about future ETF filings. Regulatory clarity is seen as a prerequisite for such products.
What is the significance of Ripple acquiring Hidden Road?
The acquisition strengthens Ripple’s institutional services, particularly in post-trade operations. Migrating these functions to the XRP Ledger could boost network utilization and demonstrate enterprise-grade blockchain use.
Why did Circle reject Ripple’s acquisition offer?
Circle reportedly believed Ripple’s $4–5 billion bid undervalued the company, especially given its upcoming IPO plans. The rejection doesn’t rule out future collaboration or consolidation in the stablecoin sector.
How does XRP compare to other top cryptocurrencies?
XRP differentiates itself through its focus on real-world payment solutions. Unlike general-purpose blockchains like Ethereum or speculative assets without utility, XRP is optimized for speed, scalability, and cost-efficiency in global transfers.
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Final Outlook: Momentum Building for Long-Term Growth
While short-term price movements can be volatile, the structural developments behind XRP suggest lasting momentum. From legal resolution to strategic expansion, Ripple is positioning itself at the intersection of traditional finance and blockchain innovation.
With enhanced institutional credibility and growing use cases on the XRP Ledger, XRP may not only maintain its top-three status but also deepen its role in reshaping how value moves across borders.
For investors and fintech observers alike, the convergence of regulation, technology, and market demand makes this a pivotal chapter in cryptocurrency evolution.