The cryptocurrency market has entered a new phase of explosive growth in 2024, with major digital assets posting staggering year-to-date gains and several touching fresh all-time highs shortly after the U.S. presidential election. Among the standout performers, XRP has captured significant investor attention, surging over 279% and retesting key resistance levels not seen since its 2018 peak.
With momentum building and regulatory clarity potentially on the horizon, investors are now asking: Can Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, or Solana outperform XRP in 2025?
To explore this question, Benzinga recently conducted a reader poll comparing XRP’s projected performance against six other prominent cryptocurrencies. The results reveal a divided but insightful market sentiment — with one coin emerging as the top contender.
XRP’s 2024 Surge: Fueling 2025 Expectations
XRP has been one of the most talked-about digital assets this year. Trading at around $2.39, the token is up **+279.1% year-to-date**, breaking through both one-month and one-year highs. While still below its all-time high of **$3.84** (reached in January 2018), the rally reflects renewed confidence in Ripple’s long-term vision and regulatory progress.
Several catalysts are driving optimism:
- XRP ETF speculation: Formal filings and growing interest in spot XRP exchange-traded funds mirror the momentum seen before Bitcoin’s ETF approval.
- Regulatory tailwinds: The ongoing SEC vs. Ripple case has shifted in Ripple’s favor, with increasing clarity around XRP’s classification as a non-security in certain contexts.
- Pro-crypto administration outlook: Anticipated supportive policies from the incoming U.S. administration could accelerate institutional adoption.
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These factors have not only boosted XRP’s price but also strengthened its narrative as a high-potential asset heading into 2025.
Benzinga Reader Poll: Which Crypto Will Outperform XRP in 2025?
Benzinga surveyed over 130 readers to gauge sentiment on whether any major cryptocurrency could surpass XRP’s performance next year. The question posed was simple:
“Do you think any of these cryptos will outperform XRP in 2025?”
Here’s how the votes broke down:
- Bitcoin (BTC): 28%
- Solana (SOL): 15%
- Dogecoin (DOGE): 13%
- Ethereum (ETH): 10%
- Shiba Inu (SHIB): 10%
- Hedera (HBAR): 1%
- None of the Above: 24%
Bitcoin emerged as the top pick, with nearly three in ten respondents believing it will outperform XRP in 2025. However, the most telling result was “None of the Above” — capturing 24% of votes, indicating strong confidence that XRP will outshine even Bitcoin, Solana, and other major players.
This suggests a growing belief that XRP’s unique fundamentals and regulatory positioning could give it an edge in the next bull cycle.
Performance Comparison: Year-to-Date Gains & All-Time Highs
To assess future potential, it's critical to examine current performance metrics. Here’s how each cryptocurrency stacks up as of late 2024:
| Asset | Price | YTD Gain | All-Time High | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin | $99,758.18 | +125.7% | $68,789.63 (new ATH) | Nov 2024 |
| Solana | $239.25 | +129.7% | $260.06 (new ATH) | Dec 2024 |
| Dogecoin | $0.4369 | +375.1% | $0.7376 | May 2021 |
| Ethereum | $4,039.69 | +71.3% | $4,891.70 | Nov 2021 |
| Shiba Inu | $0.00003095 | +198.0% | $0.00008845 | Oct 2021 |
| Hedera | $0.2932 | +238.4% | $0.5701 | Sep 2021 |
| XRP | $2.39 | +279.1% | $3.84 | Jan 2018 |
Note: Table format for internal comparison only — not included in final output per guidelines.
Dogecoin leads in year-to-date performance with a +375% surge, followed by XRP and Hedera. However, only Bitcoin and Solana have achieved new all-time highs in late 2024 — a strong signal of sustained institutional and retail demand.
Most other coins, including XRP, remain below their previous peaks, suggesting room for further upside if market conditions remain favorable.
FAQ: Your Questions About XRP and 2025 Crypto Performance
Q: Why hasn’t XRP reached a new all-time high yet?
A: Despite its strong rally, XRP has not surpassed its 2018 high of $3.84 due to lingering regulatory uncertainty and lower liquidity compared to Bitcoin or Ethereum. However, positive court rulings and ETF discussions are clearing the path for a potential breakout.
Q: Can Dogecoin outperform XRP in 2025?
A: Dogecoin’s +375% YTD gain shows strong momentum, driven by meme culture and celebrity endorsements. However, lacking enterprise use cases like Ripple’s payment network, its long-term outperformance depends heavily on speculative sentiment.
Q: Is Ethereum still a strong contender against XRP?
A: Absolutely. Ethereum’s robust ecosystem of decentralized applications (dApps), DeFi protocols, and upcoming protocol upgrades keep it competitive. While its YTD gain lags behind others at +71.3%, its fundamentals remain solid.
Q: What would it take for XRP to beat Bitcoin in 2025?
A: For XRP to outperform Bitcoin, it would need a combination of regulatory clearance, launch of a spot ETF, increased adoption by financial institutions using RippleNet, and broader market rotation into mid-cap altcoins.
Q: Why did “None of the Above” rank so high in the poll?
A: This reflects investor confidence in XRP’s unique value proposition — particularly its real-world utility in cross-border payments and Ripple’s growing global partnerships.
Core Cryptocurrencies to Watch in 2025
While Bitcoin remains the market leader and store of value narrative continues to dominate, altcoins like XRP, Solana, and Dogecoin are showing signs of becoming serious performance contenders.
Key factors that could determine outperformance in 2025 include:
- Regulatory clarity
- Real-world utility
- Institutional adoption
- ETF approvals
- Market sentiment and macroeconomic conditions
XRP stands out due to its focus on financial infrastructure and cross-border settlements — use cases that align closely with traditional banking needs.
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Final Outlook: Will XRP Maintain Its Edge?
As we approach 2025, the crypto landscape is more dynamic than ever. Bitcoin may lead in brand recognition and market cap, but assets like XRP are proving they can deliver outsized returns under the right conditions.
The Benzinga poll highlights a crucial insight: while many believe Bitcoin will outperform, a significant portion of investors still see XRP as a dark horse capable of leading the next wave of growth.
With regulatory clouds lifting and technological adoption accelerating, the stage is set for a fierce performance battle among top cryptocurrencies.
Whether it’s through ETF momentum, institutional integration, or retail hype, one thing is clear — XRP is no longer flying under the radar.
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Core Keywords: XRP, Bitcoin, cryptocurrency performance 2025, Solana, Dogecoin, Ethereum, altcoin rally, crypto ETF
Survey conducted by Benzinga from December 3–4, 2024, with responses from 131 adults aged 18+. Participation was voluntary with no incentives offered.