TLDR

  • XRP is currently trading in the $1.80–$1.88 range, well under its record peak of $3.84.
  • Ripple’s centralized approach provides a competitive edge over rivals.
  • Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin hit a $1 billion market capitalization by November 2025.
  • Ripple has teamed up with Mastercard and BNY Mellon to launch RLUSD.

Crypto analyst Santiago R Santos has sparked renewed investor interest in XRP with his positive long-term forecast. During a recent conversation, he said its organized business framework offers superior odds compared to Ethereum for returning to its former peak.

XRP presently trades in the $1.80 to $1.88 bracket, carrying a fully diluted market value of approximately $188 billion. The token’s all-time high of $3.84 was set in January 2018, requiring more than a 100% increase to reach that threshold again.

Santos contended that although market conditions may stay difficult through 2026, Ripple’s methodology enables it to remain robust and keep delivering results while competitors face difficulties.

Ripple’s Execution Strength in a Tough Market

According to Santos, Ripple distinguishes itself by maintaining performance under unfavorable circumstances. He stated, “I believe Ripple has a greater likelihood than nearly any other top 10 crypto network to, even in a worst-case scenario, actually have a better chance of hitting that all-time high.”

He drew a comparison with Ethereum, remarking, “I’m highly skeptical about Ethereum returning to its all-time high.” His statements echoed a wider perspective that centralized coordination might enable a firm to weather downturns more successfully than purely decentralized systems.

Centralized Product Strategy Gives Ripple an Edge

Santos highlighted that Ripple’s achievements derive from a well-defined product strategy. “A decentralized product strategy in business development doesn’t succeed. Decentralized security combined with centralized product decision-making is the winning formula. Ethereum lacks that,” he commented.

He also raised doubts about Ethereum’s valuation compared to Ripple’s, asserting that Ethereum’s market capitalization doesn’t correspond with its present practical applications. In contrast, Ripple’s valuation offers potential for growth, particularly when measured against established financial institutions like Visa, which holds a valuation of around $600 billion.

XRP’s Utility Through Acquisitions and RLUSD Expansion

Another factor driving the optimistic prediction is Ripple’s capacity to leverage XRP for acquisitions and product rollout. Santos observed that the company can strategically utilize its token to expand and purchase new enterprises. He remarked, “Ripple has greater flexibility to employ its currency for acquiring actual businesses, establishing distribution channels and products, and has additional time to work through this.”

Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has played a pivotal role in this growth. The stablecoin finished its operational deployment in 2025 and surpassed a $1 billion market cap by November. BNY Mellon acts as the reserve custodian, and Ripple has obtained listings for RLUSD on several leading exchanges.

Collaborations with fintech companies such as Yellow Card, VALR, and Chipper Cash have broadened its footprint throughout Africa, while trials with Mastercard and WebBank seek to incorporate RLUSD into conventional payment infrastructure.