Will XRP Flip Ethereum? Here’s What the Odds Say

Ethereum has been comfortably the second-largest crypto for years, but could that change? With XRP gaining more adoption, some believe it’s only a matter of time before it takes the second spot.

Right now, ETH is trading around $1,974.53, while XRP is at about $2.39. These prices are not exactly close, but crypto markets can change fast.

Among the comparisons is the market cap of XRP and ETH, with ETH having a current market cap of $238.12B while XRP sits at $138.75B. Since this has happened before, the question stands: Will XRP flip Ethereum again?

For now, Ethereum still holds a strong lead, but if XRP adoption skyrockets and ETH runs into scaling or regulatory issues, a shift isn’t out of the question. The XRP vs. ETH debate is far from settled, and whether the flippening happens or not, it’s definitely something worth watching.

Will XRP Flip Ethereum? Summary

Price Volume in 24h Price 7d has been holding the #2 spot in crypto for a long time, but some think Price Volume in 24h Price 7d could take its place. With its speed, low fees, and growing use in banking, XRP has a real shot—if the right conditions line up.

But Ethereum isn’t going down without a fight; its massive ecosystem and dominance in DeFi and smart contracts keep it ahead for now. This article breaks down what would need to happen for XRP to flip ETH, what analysts are saying, and what it could mean for the crypto market.

Can XRP Surpass Ethereum in 2025?

In this article, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about XRP and Ethereum—how they work, what makes them different, and why that matters. Then, we’ll take a closer look at whether XRP has what it takes to surpass Ethereum, digging into key metrics, on-chain data, and social sentiment.

We’ll also see what experts are saying and how everyday investors feel about this potential shift. To wrap things up, we’ll explore possible scenarios and what it could mean for the crypto market if XRP ever overtakes Ethereum.

XRP and Ethereum: A Quick Overview

Blockchain has come a long way, and if you want proof, just look at Ethereum and the XRP Ledger (XRPL). Both are decentralized, but they’re built for completely different missions.

Ethereum, the brainchild of Vitalik Buterin, launched in 2015 with a bold vision: to create a world where finance, digital ownership, and agreements run on code instead of middlemen. It’s the backbone of DeFi, NFT marketplaces, and countless dApps, all powered by its native currency, ETH. If decentralization had a poster child, Ethereum would be it.

On the other hand, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) doesn’t try to do everything—it focuses on one thing and does it well: fast, low-cost cross-border payments. Developed by Ripple Labs, XRPL is a game-changer for banks and financial institutions, cutting out the delays and fees of traditional systems like SWIFT. Its native token, XRP, acts as the bridge currency, making transactions smoother and cheaper.

So, while Ethereum is busy reinventing digital interactions, XRPL is laser-focused on fixing global payments. Two different blockchains, two different goals—but both shaping the future in their own way.

What is XRP?

XRP is the native cryptocurrency of the XRP Ledger, a decentralized blockchain built for one thing: fast, low-cost cross-border payments. Traditional banking systems rely on slow, expensive intermediaries, but XRP cuts through the red tape, moving money directly between parties in seconds.

It’s not just about making payments faster—it’s about changing how global transactions work entirely.

The Ripple Project: How It All Started

XRP’s origins go back further than most people realize—way back to 2004, when Canadian engineer Ryan Fugger introduced RipplePay, a decentralized platform that let communities create their own monetary systems. This early idea laid the groundwork for what would later become the XRP Ledger.

Fast forward to 2011. Enter Jed McCaleb, Arthur Britto, and David Schwartz, who wanted to build a digital currency system that didn’t rely on Bitcoin’s energy-hungry mining process. Instead, they envisioned a faster, more efficient network powered by a unique consensus mechanism. By 2012, Chris Larsen joined the team, and together, they approached Fugger, who handed them the reins. With that, OpenCoin was born—later rebranded as Ripple Labs in 2013—with one clear mission: to create a blockchain-powered payment system that could move money across borders in seconds and at a fraction of traditional costs.

XRP’s Legal Battle and Market Impact

In December 2020, Ripple Labs found itself in the SEC’s crosshairs. The agency sued Ripple, claiming that XRP was an unregistered security—a move that threw the project into uncertainty and triggered a rollercoaster ride for XRP’s price.

But in July 2023, a game-changing ruling by Judge Analisa Torres stated that XRP itself isn’t necessarily a security—though certain sales could be classified that way depending on how they were conducted. It was a partial win for Ripple and sparked renewed optimism in the market.

Then, the landscape shifted again. Following Donald Trump’s victory in the November 2024 U.S. presidential election, XRP’s price skyrocketed over 100%. Why? Investors believed that a more crypto-friendly regulatory environment was on the horizon. Adding fuel to the fire, Trump nominated Paul Atkins, a known pro-crypto advocate, to lead the SEC, signaling potential regulatory changes that could work in Ripple’s favor.

Ripple’s Growing Institutional Adoption

Despite its legal battles, XRP has been steadily gaining traction among financial institutions. Banks and payment providers see it as a real alternative to the outdated, sluggish SWIFT system.

A major milestone came in May 2018, when Santander launched One Pay FX, the first international payments app powered by Ripple’s xCurrent technology. This proved that blockchain could integrate seamlessly with mainstream financial services.

More recently, XRP took another step toward institutional legitimacy in November 2024, when WisdomTree introduced the WisdomTree Physical XRP ETP in Europe. This made it easier for institutional investors to gain regulated exposure to XRP, further cementing its place in traditional finance.

Industry Support For XRP and What’s Next?

XRP has no shortage of powerful backers. Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, has been one of its most vocal advocates, consistently pushing the narrative that XRP is the future of global payments. With increasing institutional adoption and shifting regulatory tides, XRP’s role in finance is only getting stronger.

Several big banks have backed XRP through partnerships and investments:

Influential people who have supported XRP include Michael Arrington, the founder of TechCrunch, who launched Arrington XRP Capital, a hedge fund that operates entirely in XRP. Ashton Kutcher, actor and tech investor, showcased XRP’s real-world utility by donating $4 million worth of XRP to The Ellen DeGeneres Wildlife Fund live on TV.

Madonna also partnered with Ripple on a fundraising campaign for orphans in Malawi, with the company matching public donations. Meanwhile, Snoop Dogg helped bring XRP into the mainstream by headlining Ripple’s XRP Community Night in 2018, improving its growing presence beyond the crypto space.

From a bold vision of decentralized payments to a major player in global finance, XRP’s journey has been anything but dull. The road ahead still has hurdles, but with a growing network of supporters and real-world use cases, XRP is well-positioned to play a significant role in the future of international money transfers.

XRP Tokenomics

XRP was built to make international payments faster and cheaper, but the way its supply works—its tokenomics—is just as important. Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Token Supply

• Total Supply: When XRP was created, 100 billion tokens were made all at once. No more can ever be created.
• Circulating Supply: As of December 2024, about 53.7 billion XRP are actively being used.
• Max Supply: The total supply is permanently capped at 100 billion XRP, meaning the number of tokens will only go down over time, not up.

Inflationary or Deflationary Model

XRP follows a deflationary model, which means its total supply shrinks over time. Every time someone makes a transaction, a tiny fee (starting at 0.00001 XRP) gets burned, meaning it’s permanently removed from circulation.

Why does this matter?

• It prevents spam – Because every transaction costs a little XRP, people can’t flood the network with unnecessary transactions.
• It creates scarcity – Since XRP is slowly being burned, the overall supply is always decreasing, which could make it more valuable in the long run.

Initial Coin Offering/Token Sale

Unlike many other cryptos, XRP never had an ICO (Initial Coin Offering). Instead, when it was created:

• 20% (20 billion XRP) went to the founders.
• 80% (80 billion XRP) was given to Ripple Labs, the company responsible for XRP’s development and promotion.

Team Allocation

The 20 billion XRP given to the founders was their reward for creating the project. Ripple Labs originally controlled most of the supply but has been gradually releasing XRP into the market over time.

Decentralized Governance

XRP Ledger doesn’t use mining (like Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work) or staking (like Ethereum’s Proof-of-Stake). Instead, it runs on a consensus system, where independent validators approve transactions.

However, XRP doesn’t have a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), meaning token holders don’t get a direct say in network decisions. While Ripple Labs has taken steps to make the system more decentralized, the company still has a big influence over how things work.

Upgrade & Development Control

Ripple Labs is in charge of most of XRP Ledger’s upgrades and development. The blockchain is open-source, so anyone can contribute, but Ripple has the final say on which updates get implemented.

Exchange Listings

XRP is widely available on most major crypto exchanges, making it easy to buy, sell, and trade. You can find XRP on Binance, Best Wallet, OKX, and more. Check out top XRP exchanges below:

XRP’s tokenomics are built around a fixed supply, a deflationary burn system, and Ripple Labs’ oversight. Some see Ripple’s control as a drawback, while others view XRP as one of the best solutions for fast and low-cost global payments. Either way, it’s a key player in the crypto space, and its unique model keeps it relevant in the ever-changing world of digital finance.

How XRP Works?

XRP Ledger (XRPL) is a Layer 1 blockchain, meaning it’s stand-alone platform and doesn’t piggyback on another network for security. Unlike some blockchains that need extra layers to speed things up, XRPL was built from the ground up for fast, low cost transactions—no waiting, no crazy fees.

One of the reasons XRPL is so fast is its unique consensus mechanism. Instead of using miners competing for rewards (Proof of Work) or requiring people to lock up a ton of tokens (Proof of Stake), XRPL does things differently. It runs on a Federated Consensus Protocol, where a group of trusted validators work together to approve transactions. This means transactions get finalized in seconds without using a lot of energy.

Now, let’s talk about XRP. Unlike a lot of other crypto tokens out there, XRP isn’t an ERC-20 token, and it doesn’t live on Ethereum or Binance Smart Chain. It’s a native asset of the XRP Ledger, meaning it moves fast and direct without needing middlemen. And XRP was pre-mined, meaning all the tokens were created at the start.

When it comes to smart contracts, XRPL takes a different approach. It doesn’t support the kind of complex programmable contracts you’d find on Ethereum, but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in features. XRPL has built in financial tools, like escrow services, atomic swaps and multi-signature accounts, making it great for fast financial applications. And with Ripple’s “Hooks” feature, developers can now add lightweight smart contract capabilities, giving the network some extra flexibility.

Another big win for XRPL is interoperability, meaning it plays well with other blockchains. Thanks to XRPL sidechains, developers can build bridges that let XRP interact with other networks like Ethereum and Bitcoin, making it easier to move value between different ecosystems. And then there’s Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL), which takes it to the next level by allowing XRP to be used for instant cross border payments. Now, if you’ve heard of RippleNet, this is where it connects with XRPL.

RippleNet is a network for financial institutions to move money efficiently and the XRP Ledger is the underlying blockchain that powers fast transactions. Unlike SWIFT which still uses old-school banking rails that take days to process payments, RippleNet can settle in real time using XRP as a bridge currency to make it even faster and cheaper.

In the end, XRP’s real power is in speed, low cost and liquidity solutions. It’s the go-to choice for cross border payments, for businesses and institutions to move money between currencies instantly. Whether you’re a business moving large sums of money or just someone tired of waiting for bank transfers, XRP wants to make the whole process easier, faster and more practical for the global financial system.

What is Ethereum?

Ethereum is a decentralized, open-source blockchain that lets developers build smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps). Its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH), isn’t just digital money—it’s what powers everything on the network, from transactions to running apps.

In 2013, a programmer named Vitalik Buterin had an idea: What if blockchain technology could do more than just digital payments like Bitcoin? He imagined a platform where developers could create applications that run without a central authority. To bring this vision to life, Ethereum held a crowdfunding campaign in 2014, raising over $18 million by selling Ether. A year later, on July 30, 2015, Ethereum officially launched with its first version, Frontier, and the rest is history.

Ethereum was the first blockchain to support smart contracts, and that gave it a huge head start. That attracted a ton of developers, which led to the explosion of dApps and DeFi (Decentralized Finance) projects. Over time, Ethereum became the foundation for NFTs, decentralized exchanges, lending platforms, and more—basically, it helped shape the modern crypto industry.

As Ethereum grew, so did its problems— high fees and slow transactions were becoming a problem. To fix this, Ethereum moved from Proof of Work (PoW) to Proof of Stake (PoS) in September 2022. That cut energy consumption by 99.9%. But Ethereum isn’t done yet. In early 2025 it will roll out the Pectra upgrade, which will improve scalability and reduce transaction costs by increasing how much data can be processed at once.

Ethereum’s Institutional Adoption

Ethereum has also caught the attention of institutional investors. In July 2024, the U.S. SEC approved spot Ether ETFs, so big investors can now invest in Ethereum without actually holding the crypto. Beyond ETFs, Ethereum’s smart contract capabilities are drawing in major companies looking to integrate blockchain into their business.

Ethereum’s reach goes beyond just developers and investors—it’s backed by some of the biggest names in tech and finance. Vitalik Buterin is still one of the most important people in crypto, always pushing Ethereum forward. Fidelity and BlackRock have launched Ethereum-based products, they believe in Ethereum’s long term capabilities. Additionally, with an active community of developers continually upgrading the network, Ethereum keeps moving.

Industry Support For ETH and What’s Next?

Many big people have helped push Ethereum along. Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has been working on it nonstop and has donated millions to research and humanitarian causes. Joseph Lubin, another co-founder, took it to the next level by creating ConsenSys, a company that builds apps and tools on top of Ethereum, making it more useful. Elon Musk hasn’t been involved directly but has talked about Ethereum publicly, bringing more attention.

Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, has strongly supported Ethereum. He has called it “the closest to a true currency” and believes its smart contract capabilities could surpass Bitcoin in usefulness. Cuban has also invested in Ethereum-based DeFi projects and NFTs, actively engaging with the ecosystem and boosting its credibility.

Ethereum isn’t done. Along with the Pectra upgrade, developers are working on AI-powered agents for decentralized applications, which means automated trading and personalized blockchain services. With institutional adoption growing, new upgrades coming, and more use cases emerging, Ethereum will be here for years to come.

Ethereum Tokenomics

Ethereum tokenomics are the economic structure and policies governing its native cryptocurrency, Ether (ETH). Understanding these elements gives insight into Ethereum’s supply dynamics, distribution mechanisms, and governance models.

Token Supply

• Total Supply: As of February 2025, Ethereum’s total supply is approximately 120 million ETH.
• Circulating Supply: The circulating supply is close to the total supply; most ETH is being used actively in the ecosystem.
• Max Supply: Ethereum doesn’t have a capped supply; instead its monetary policy allows for continuous issuance, but recent changes in the protocol have introduced mechanisms to control and potentially reduce the supply over time.

Inflationary or Deflationary Model

Ethereum was originally an inflationary model; new ETH was minted as block rewards for miners. But with the introduction of EIP-1559 in August 2021, a fee-burning mechanism was added, where part of the transaction fees are burned, effectively reducing the circulating supply. Combined with the transition to Proof-of-Stake (PoS) in September 2022 (aka “The Merge”), Ethereum is now shifting towards a deflationary model, as the rate of ETH being burned can surpass the rate of new issuance, especially during periods of high network activity.

Initial Coin Offering/Token Sale

Ethereum’s Initial Coin Offering (ICO) in 2014 raised around $18.3 million. 60 million ETH was sold to the public, 12 million ETH was allocated to the development fund, and the remaining supply was issued through mining and staking rewards.

Team Allocation

From the 72 million ETH generated at genesis, around 12 million ETH (about 16.67% of the initial supply) was allocated to the development fund, which included early contributors, developers, and the Ethereum Foundation. This allocation was to fund ongoing development and support the ecosystem’s growth.

Burn Mechanism

EIP-1559 introduced a burn mechanism, where a base fee, decided by network demand, is burned with each transaction. This reduces the total ETH supply over time, counteracts issuance, and potentially leads to deflationary pressure, especially during high transaction volumes.

Decentralized Governance

Ethereum doesn’t have on-chain governance through a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) for protocol decisions. Governance is off-chain through a collaborative Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) process. EIPs are discussed and reviewed by the community, including developers, node operators, and other stakeholders, before implementation.

Exchange Listings

ETH is listed on almost all major exchanges including Binance, Coinbase, OKX and Kraken and is supported by all good wallets including Best Wallet and Zengo.

If you are wondering how and where to buy ETH, check out are separate articles on Best Ethereum Exchange Reviews & Comparison and How to Buy Ethereum.

Ethereum’s tokenomics have come a long way since its inception, from purely inflationary to deflationary and from PoW to PoS. This shows Ethereum’s adaptability to security, decentralization and sustainability of the ecosystem.

How Ethereum Works?

Ethereum is a decentralized blockchain that is the foundation for many applications, from DeFi platforms to NFTs and smart contracts. Unlike Bitcoin which is a digital currency, Ethereum is a programmable blockchain where developers can build decentralized apps (dApps) on top of it.

At its core, Ethereum is a Layer 1 blockchain, meaning it’s independent and doesn’t rely on another blockchain for security or execution. However, due to high demand and scalability issues, Ethereum has given rise to a Layer 2 solutions which improves transaction speed and reduces fees.

Technologies such as rollups, for example, Optimistic Rollups and Zero-Knowledge Rollups, process transactions off-chain and then settle on Ethereum’s main chain. This allows the network to handle much more transactions without compromising security.

Ethereum’s native currency is Ether (ETH), used to pay for transaction fees, interact with smart contracts and participate in staking. Beyond ETH, Ethereum also supports many other tokens through its ERC standards, including ERC-20 tokens which are used for DeFi and governance and ERC-721 which powers the NFT ecosystem. More advanced standards like ERC-1155 allows developers to create both fungible and non-fungible tokens in a single contract.

One of Ethereum’s main features is its programmability, where developers can create self-executing smart contracts. These contracts are written in Solidity, the primary language for Ethereum, although Vyper is available for developers who prefer a more Python-like syntax. Smart contracts run on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), a decentralized computation layer that ensures all contracts execute the same way across the network.

As Ethereum grows, so does the need for interoperability–the ability to talk and transfer value with other blockchains. Developers are also working on trustless bridges like zkBridge, which use cryptographic proofs to transfer assets between Ethereum and other blockchains without intermediaries.

Security and governance on Ethereum is community driven. Improvements to the network are proposed and implemented through Ethereum Improvement Proposals (EIPs) so developers and stakeholders can shape the future of the blockchain. Unlike corporate structures, upgrades on Ethereum are decided through open discussion and consensus among developers, validators and researchers.

Ethereum’s long term roadmap is scalability and efficiency, with upcoming upgrades like Danksharding which will increase transaction throughput and Verkle Trees which will optimize storage and data access. Proto-Danksharding, an intermediate step to full sharding is also being worked on and will reduce gas fees through a more efficient way of handling transaction data.

XRP vs. Ethereum: A Fundamental Analysis

Ethereum and XRP take very different approaches to blockchain. Ethereum is built for smart contracts and decentralized applications, while XRP is designed for fast, low-cost cross-border payments. This table breaks down the key differences between the two.

Ethereum leads in decentralized applications, while XRP focuses on financial transactions. One offers flexibility, the other efficiency. Both have strong use cases and will continue to shape the crypto space in different ways.

Historical Price Performance: XRP vs. Ethereum Over the Years

Over the past five years, both ETH and XRP have had big price moves driven by broader market trends, regulatory news and adoption cycles.

ETH entered 2020 below $200 and quickly gained momentum during the DeFi boom, breaking $1,000 by early 2021. It surged to an all time high of almost $4,800 in November 2021 riding the wave of institutional adoption, NFT growth and network upgrades.

XRP started 2020 at $0.20 and had a strong rally in early 2021, reaching $1.80 in April. But its growth was stifled by the SEC lawsuit against Ripple which was filed in late 2020. While ETH attracted investment, XRP struggled to move for most of 2022 and 2023.

During the 2022 bear market, ETH had a big drop, going below $1,000 by mid year. But it recovered steadily and stayed above $2,000 from mid 2023 onwards. ETH’s transition from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake with the Merge in September 2022 gave investors more confidence and helped its long term strength.

XRP, on the other hand, was under pressure and traded mostly between $0.30 and $0.60 for most of this period. The SEC case continued to weigh on it and it couldn’t fully benefit from the broader market recovery.

A turning point for XRP came in late 2024 when it had a massive rally, going above $3.00 for the first time in years. This sudden move was driven by speculation that the regulatory pressure on Ripple was easing, which caused an increase in investor interest. ETH also had significant price action in 2024, going over $4,000 again before correcting.

Volatility has been the main difference between the two assets. ETH’s price moves have been driven by technology and ecosystem growth, and XRP’s price has been very reactive to regulatory news.

Ethereum (ETH) and XRP’s market cap growth over the last 5 years shows a clear difference in how these two cryptocurrencies have evolved in terms of investor confidence, adoption, and regulatory impact.

Ethereum’s market cap has gone up strong, with huge spikes during the 2021 bull run, where it hit over $500 billion. Despite a deep correction during the 2022 bear market, ETH managed to recover slowly, crossing $400 billion again in late 2023 and early 2024 before pulling back.

XRP’s market cap tells a different story. It had a strong run in early 2021, hitting over $60 billion, but its growth was halted by the SEC lawsuit against Ripple which made investors cautious.

For most of 2022 and 2023, XRP’s market cap was stagnant, hovering under $50 billion. This changed in late 2024 when XRP’s market cap suddenly rose past $150 billion, briefly hitting $200 billion.

XRP vs. Ethereum Performance: On-Chain Analysis

Ethereum and XRP may both be big names in crypto, but when you look under the hood, they operate very differently. Ethereum is constantly buzzing with activity, from frequent trading to non-stop developer updates.

XRP, on the other hand, tends to move in bursts—its trading volume spikes when big news drops, and its development team is much smaller and more focused. So, what does this mean for their long-term potential? Let’s break it down.

XRP and ETH: Token Turnover Comparison

Token turnover measures how frequently a cryptocurrency is traded relative to its fully diluted market cap. A high turnover suggests strong liquidity and active market participation, while a lower turnover could indicate that investors are holding their tokens rather than frequently trading them. This metric provides insight into how engaged the market is with a particular asset and whether it is primarily being used for transactions or long-term investment.

XRP has generally shown lower token turnover, with only occasional surges in trading activity. Over the past year, its market participation remained subdued, except for a notable spike in November 2024 when turnover exceeded 15%.

This sharp increase was likely fueled by speculation or a major news event, leading to heightened liquidity and trading activity. However, as of February 17, 2025, XRP’s turnover has dropped to just 1.54%, reflecting a decline in market activity. This suggests that more holders are sitting on their XRP rather than actively trading it, possibly anticipating future price movements or regulatory clarity.

Ethereum, on the other hand, has shown a consistently higher turnover, indicating a more liquid and actively traded market. Over the past year, ETH has maintained steady market participation, with trading volume regularly reflecting its role in DeFi, staking, and institutional trading. On February 17, 2025, Ethereum’s token turnover was recorded at 6.45%, significantly higher than XRP’s 1.54%. This suggests that ETH is more frequently exchanged, whether for trading, collateral in DeFi protocols, or transactions on the network.

When comparing the two, Ethereum clearly maintains a more active and engaged trading environment, with higher and more stable turnover. XRP, while capable of sudden bursts of activity, sees much lower consistent engagement, with trading largely driven by major news or speculation.

The lower turnover in XRP might indicate stronger long-term holding behavior among investors, whereas Ethereum’s higher turnover reflects its continued use across multiple financial and smart contract applications. This dynamic highlights Ethereum’s deeper integration into the crypto economy, while XRP’s market activity remains more event-driven.

XRP vs. ETH: Development Activity Comparison

When it comes to development activity, a blockchain’s long-term success depends on how many developers are working on it and how frequently they update its code. A thriving project will have a lot of developers constantly improving the network, adding new features, and fixing issues. If development slows down, it can be a sign that the project isn’t evolving as much or that fewer people are contributing to its growth.

Looking at XRP, its developer activity has been steady but on the lower side compared to Ethereum. As of February 17, 2025, XRP had about 31 active core developers, with numbers generally fluctuating between 20 and 30 over the past year. That’s a relatively small group working on the project, which suggests either that the XRP Ledger is stable and doesn’t need frequent updates or that fewer developers are actively contributing to its open-source code.

The number of code commits—the updates made to the blockchain’s public repositories—paints a similar picture. In the last year, XRP recorded around 1,500 commits, and in the week of February 17, there were just 27. This level of activity suggests that while XRP has a dedicated team working on it, there aren’t as many frequent improvements or new features being pushed.

Ethereum, on the other hand, is in a completely different league when it comes to development. It has one of the largest and most active developer communities in the crypto space. As of February 17, 2025, Ethereum had 199 core developers actively contributing, which is more than six times the number seen on XRP.

The difference in code commits is even more dramatic—Ethereum saw 14,700 commits in the past year, with 362 recorded in a single week.

That’s nearly ten times the development activity of XRP. This constant stream of updates reflects how much Ethereum is evolving, whether through improvements to its scalability, security, or new features for DeFi, staking, and NFTs.

The contrast between the two blockchains is clear. XRP has a smaller, more focused development team that works on maintaining its network, but updates are less frequent, and the overall developer community is smaller.

Ethereum, on the other hand, is constantly being refined, with a large and highly engaged group of developers working on everything from rollups and sharding to new protocol upgrades. In fact, Ethereum ranks as the number one blockchain in developer activity, while XRP sits at 19th place.

Will Ripple Overtake Ethereum? A Social Media Analysis

If we’re looking at social media influence as a sign of who’s winning in the crypto space, it’s pretty clear: Ethereum has the upper hand. The way Ethereum and Ripple engage with their audiences on X (formerly Twitter) couldn’t be more different, and that alone makes it hard to see XRP ever catching up.

Ethereum’s online presence is spread across multiple voices, and that’s part of what makes it so strong. The Ethereum.org account is mostly about educating people, sharing ecosystem updates, and highlighting key events. It’s not hyping prices or trying to convince anyone to buy ETH—it’s just putting out useful information. But the real engagement comes from people, not just brands.

Take Vitalik Buterin, for example. With 5.7 million followers, he’s one of the most influential figures in all of crypto. His tweets aren’t just about Ethereum—he talks about tech, philosophy, blockchain research, and whatever else is on his mind. And because he’s constantly part of bigger conversations, his influence stretches way beyond Ethereum itself.

Then there’s Joseph Lubin, another Ethereum co-founder, whose posts are more focused on Ethereum’s business growth and infrastructure. Between these two, Ethereum has constant, high-level engagement that isn’t dependent on market cycles or breaking news.

The official Ripple account feels more corporate and polished, with a big focus on banking, regulations, and enterprise partnerships. It’s not really built for casual engagement—its posts are aimed at financial institutions, investors, and regulators rather than the broader crypto community.

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse is probably the most well-known individual voice in the XRP world, but with 1.1 million followers, his reach is way smaller than Vitalik’s. His tweets mostly focus on legal battles, Ripple’s positioning in finance, and responses to news rather than engaging with a wider audience about blockchain development. In short, Garlinghouse is more of a business leader than a crypto thought leader, and that makes a difference in terms of influence.

Outside of Ripple’s official messaging, community-driven accounts like JackTheRippler (with 358.7K followers) bring more hype into the mix. These accounts push speculation, XRP price predictions, and excitement about the next big pump, which definitely keeps the XRP community engaged. But the difference here is that Ethereum doesn’t rely on hype accounts to fuel conversation—the network’s development and innovation naturally keep people talking.

Reddit Communities: Ethereum’s Ecosystem is Way Bigger

Reddit tells the same story: Ethereum’s community is much larger and more engaged.

The r/ethereum subreddit has 3.7 million members, making it one of the biggest crypto hubs online. It’s full of AMAs with developers, deep discussions on Ethereum upgrades, and daily market talk.

Then there’s r/ethtrader, with 2.3 million members, where traders focus on ETH price movements, macro trends, and news. Even more niche communities like r/ethfinance—which is focused on Ethereum investment strategies—have 93K members, showing that Ethereum has multiple sub-communities, each catering to different audiences.

Ripple’s Reddit presence is much smaller and more speculative. The r/XRP subreddit has 569K members, which is decent, but nowhere close to Ethereum’s numbers. Most of the posts here focus on news updates, speculation on the SEC lawsuit, and XRP price action. There’s also r/XRPUnite, a smaller, more casual space for XRP holders to share memes, market optimism, and general crypto talk.

In regards to social media, Ethereum’s sheer size, engagement, and influence make it really hard to imagine Ripple ever catching up. Ethereum’s discussions are constantly evolving, driven by builders, traders, and researchers who are actively shaping the future of blockchain. Meanwhile, Ripple’s social media presence is highly structured and more reliant on big news events to spark engagement.

Ethereum’s community keeps the conversation going every day—whether it’s DeFi, NFTs, Layer 2 scaling, or the latest protocol upgrade. Ripple’s audience, on the other hand, tends to rally around major legal wins or banking partnerships, which means interest spikes and then cools off until the next big event.

Ripple will always have a place in the financial sector, and it has a strong following, but Ethereum is just operating on another level. It’s the backbone of Web3, DeFi, and the entire smart contract ecosystem. Based on the social media and community trends we’re seeing, that’s not changing anytime soon.

Key Factors That Could Drive XRP to Flip Ethereum

Ethereum has been there for years thanks to its massive ecosystem of smart contracts and DeFi projects. But can XRP make a serious challenge and actually overtake Ethereum? Let’s take a look.

Cross Border Payments vs. Smart Contracts: Which One’s Bigger

Ethereum and XRP are playing two different games. Ethereum is the backbone of DeFi, NFTs and smart contracts while XRP is all about making cross border payments faster and cheaper. Both have huge potential but when it comes to market size XRP might actually have the upper hand.

The cross border payments industry was valued at $190.1 trillion in 2023 and is expected to hit $290.2 trillion by 2030—we’re talking trillions here. Meanwhile the smart contract market while growing is much smaller sitting at $2.14 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $12.07 billion by 2032.

So if XRP is laser focused on dominating a market worth hundreds of trillions while Ethereum is growing in a market valued in the billions, that’s a big difference. If XRP really starts making waves in the payments world its upside could be massive.

Mass Adoption of Ripple’s Cross-Border Payment Solutions

One of the biggest things XRP has going for it is real-world adoption. Ripple has been making serious moves to integrate XRP into traditional finance, and it’s paying off. In 2024, XRP was officially integrated into U.S. banks for international payments, making transactions way faster and cheaper. And it’s not just the United States—Ripple has already partnered with banks in India, Saudi Arabia and other major markets to move money across borders more efficiently.

Ripple is also working on CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) projects like its partnership with the Digital Euro Association. If more central banks start using Ripple’s technology, it could legitimize XRP even further and put it in a unique position that few other cryptocurrencies have. So it’s not just a token anymore.

Strategic Partnerships and Expansions in Key Markets

Ripple isn’t just stopping at banking—it’s expanding everywhere. In Asia, more financial institutions are joining RippleNet to make cross border transactions smoother. In Europe, banks are warming up to Ripple’s payment solutions now that the regulatory fog is lifting.

Even institutions are showing interest. Brazil just approved XRP based ETFs and if more countries follow suit we could see institutional adoption explode. The more XRP gets into major markets the more we could see demand for the token itself.

Regulation: XRP’s Biggest Problem (or Biggest Advantage?)

Regulation has been XRP’s biggest headache for years, thanks to its long battle with the SEC. But things are looking up. Ripple has won major legal battles and confidence is returning.

Unlike Ethereum which still has uncertainty around its classification (security vs. commodity debates) XRP is working with regulators to be compliant with financial laws worldwide. That will give it a huge advantage when it comes to institutional adoption—governments and banks will use a cryptocurrency that has clear legal status.

Regulation has been a roadblock for XRP in the past but if Ripple continues to make progress here it could turn into one of its biggest advantages.

Challenges XRP Faces in Flipping Ethereum

XRP has had legal disputes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over whether it should be classed as a security or not, which has had an affect on the price of XRP over the years.

Ongoing Legal and Regulatory Uncertainty

One of the biggest issues facing XRP is the ongoing lawsuit between Ripple Labs and the SEC. The SEC has been saying XRP is an unregistered security since 2020, and things took another turn in August 2024 when a Manhattan court ordered Ripple to pay $125 million. Just when everyone thought this would bring some clarity, the case got kicked up to the second Circuit Court of Appeals, and now it’s dragging on even longer.

All this legal drama makes investors and institutions nervous. Nobody likes uncertainty, especially when money is involved. Until XRP can get these regulatory issues figured out for good, it’s hard to get big investors to fully jump on board.

Limited Ecosystem and Use Cases Compared to Ethereum

Ethereum’s biggest strength is its huge and diverse ecosystem. It’s not just about sending money—it’s about smart contracts, DeFi, NFTs, games and hundreds of decentralized apps built by thousands of devs. Ethereum has created its own universe of possibilities and it’s expanding all the time.

XRP, on the other hand, is mostly about cross-border payments. Sure, it does that one thing really well, but it’s missing out on the broader use cases that Ethereum thrives on. Having such a narrow focus means XRP can’t tap into the broader community and momentum that has made Ethereum so powerful.

Centralization Concerns

Another big problem for XRP is centralization. Ripple Labs still holds a large chunk of XRP, and that bothers many crypto purists. There’s always the thought that Ripple has too much control over the XRP network or token price.

On the other hand, Ethereum is more decentralized. Tokens are spread out among millions of people and major network decisions come from community consensus. For many in crypto, that seems safer and more transparent.

Strong Competition in the Payment Sector

XRP is great for cross border payments but it’s not alone. Competitors like Stellar (XLM) are trying to go after the same market and traditional banking systems like SWIFT are not sitting still – they’ve upped their game with SWIFT GPI which is faster, cheaper and more transparent.

Then, fintech startups pop up left and right, adding even more pressure. This competition makes it harder for XRP to fully win, even with all its technology and partnerships. Other fintechs, like Airwallex, have platforms that allow cross-border transactions with competitive foreign exchange rates and integration for businesses that do international trade.

XRP vs. Ethereum in 2025: What Market Says?

When looking at XRP vs. Ethereum, you can’t ignore their communities. Both have loyal followings but they both operate differently. Ethereum’s strength comes from its developer driven ecosystem where innovation never stops and new apps are always being built.

It’s the backbone of DeFi, NFTs and countless blockchain projects with a community that thrives on decentralization and open participation.

XRP’s community is built around a single vision— revolutionizing cross border payments and integrating blockchain into traditional finance. Ethereum fans are spread across many sectors, XRP’s community is focused and engaged behind Ripple’s push for institutional adoption. Even with regulatory challenges XRP holders have remained vocal and active keeping the momentum strong.

Both communities are powerful in their own way—Ethereum’s is broad and decentralized driving innovation, XRP’s is concentrated and focused on its mission. But when it comes to what the market says in 2025, price action, adoption and real world utility will decide which of these two giants has the upper hand.

Do Experts See XRP Overtaking Ethereum?

The idea of XRP overtaking Ethereum has been a hot topic in the crypto space, with some experts believing it’s possible and others saying it’s a long shot. While Ethereum dominates the smart contract world, XRP has been making waves in cross-border payments, and with shifting market trends, some analysts think a flippening could actually happen. Here’s what experts are saying:

Can XRP flip ETH in market cap?

If we get an alt season akin to the 2021 cycle, it's totally possible.

Don't discount:

– Low price tag (perceived "cheaper" for retail)
– Wide exchange listings & familiarity
– Ripple with a seat at Trump's table
– RLUSD & renewed optimism… https://t.co/FRcTx1r1kQ

— Nic (@nicrypto) January 16, 2025

 

Of course, while some experts are optimistic, XRP’s success depends on a lot of factors, including regulatory clarity, adoption by financial institutions, and overall market trends. Ethereum still has the edge in smart contracts, DeFi, and NFTs, but XRP’s real-world use in payments could give it an advantage if adoption continues to grow.

XRP vs. Ethereum Growth: What Retail Investors Think?

Retail investors are arguing about XRP and Ethereum and with both networks having big updates, opinions in the crypto community are pretty split.

Bullish on XRP include:

• Some investors think XRP will flip Ethereum, at least temporarily. @CryptoDonAlt, an X.com user with over 600k followers said, “I unironically think XRP has the ability to temporarily flip ETH and if everything goes crazy maybe even BTC.”
• Reddit user u/dynodog888X said, “Speed – transfers in 3 seconds. Try it – you’ll be amazed when you see it. (Compare to btc and eth).” The argument is clear: if banks widely adopt XRP, the demand and market cap will go up and XRP will flip Ethereum.

Bearish on XRP include: 

• On the other side, many are skeptical about XRP’s long-term prospects. Some say despite being one of the oldest projects in crypto, XRP has failed to keep up with Bitcoin and Ethereum. As u/Tall_Run_2814 on Reddit said, “Sold my bag in 2021 for $1.65. XRP is one of the oldest projects in crypto. It’s older than Ethereum. Go look at how BTC and ETH have performed over the last 10 years vs XRP.”
• Ethereum itself is not without issues. While it’s still dominant in the smart contract space gas fees are a major pain point. User u/willblakeuk on Reddit pointed out, “The gas fees on eth are disgusting.” Despite the ongoing upgrades like Ethereum 2.0 and layer-2 scaling solutions, high transaction costs are a big barrier to mass adoption.

In short, XRP bulls see a future where speed and banking adoption send it past ETH, while skeptics think it’s already had its chance. Meanwhile, Ethereum stays on top in smart contracts, but those gas fees? Still brutal. Both networks are evolving, and whether XRP gets its moment or ETH keeps the crown, one thing’s certain—crypto investors love a good argument.

What History Tells Us: Have Similar Flips Happened Before?

Two of the biggest flippenings in crypto history involved XRP briefly overtaking Ethereum in 2018 and Tether (USDT) surpassing major altcoins like Bitcoin Cash (BCH) and Binance Coin (BNB) between 2020 and 2021.

In January 2018, during the peak of the last true mania phase in crypto, XRP surged past Ethereum to become the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. This wasn’t just a small shift—it was a dramatic moment where Ethereum, long considered the only real contender to Bitcoin, was suddenly pushed aside. The reason? Hype. Investors were convinced that Ripple’s partnerships with banks would make XRP the backbone of global payments.

For a brief moment, it seemed like they might be right—XRP’s market cap soared past $130 billion, dethroning Ethereum. But crypto moves fast. The excitement faded, the broader market crashed, and Ethereum quickly reclaimed its spot.

A different kind of flippening happened in 2020 and 2021, but this time, it wasn’t about speculation—it was about utility. Tether (USDT), the most widely used stablecoin, overtook Bitcoin Cash in April 2020 and later pushed past Binance Coin (BNB) in 2021 to become the third-largest cryptocurrency.

Unlike XRP’s brief takeover, USDT’s rise was slow and methodical, driven by actual demand. As crypto trading, DeFi, and institutional interest grew, so did the need for a stable digital dollar. USDT became the go-to currency for moving money across exchanges and blockchains, making its dominance feel inevitable.

Both of these flippenings tell us something important. Some shifts are driven by hype, and they don’t last. Others are backed by real-world usage, and they reshape the market for the long term. Either way, history proves that no coin’s ranking is guaranteed—especially outside of Bitcoin’s top spot.

What Happens if XRP Flips Ethereum? Potential Scenarios

The idea of XRP surpassing Ethereum in market capitalization, aka “the flippening,” is big news in the crypto world. It’s an exciting thought—what would happen if XRP actually did overtake Ethereum? How would it affect the market, investors, and the broader blockchain ecosystem?

If XRP were to flip Ethereum it would shake up the crypto space in interesting ways. Institutional adoption would go even further. A higher market cap would bring more credibility to XRP which would make banks and payment providers more eager to integrate it for cross border transactions.

There could also be a shift in developer interest. Right now Ethereum is the go to for building dApps. But if XRP takes the number two spot more developers might start exploring the XRP Ledger as a cheaper and more scalable option.

Investor sentiment would also be impacted. A flippening event would trigger significant portfolio rebalancing with more money flowing into XRP. That would make both assets more volatile as traders adjust to the new market dynamics.

And then there’s regulation. If XRP were to flip Ethereum, regulators would pay even closer attention. Both are already under scrutiny but a big ranking shift would trigger new policies that would impact their future growth and adoption.

Conclusion: Will XRP Flip Ethereum in 2025?

XRP overtaking Ethereum isn’t impossible, but it won’t be easy. Ethereum’s deep-rooted dominance in DeFi, smart contracts, and institutional adoption gives it a major lead, while XRP’s strength lies in its speed, cost efficiency, and financial sector connections.

If a flippening happens, it would likely be triggered by a surge in XRP adoption, a major Ethereum setback, or a combination of both.

That said, market cap rankings don’t tell the full story—both assets serve different roles in the crypto space, and their success isn’t dependent on who’s in second place. XRP may challenge Ethereum, but Ethereum isn’t slowing down either. Whether a flippening happens or not, this rivalry will keep the market watching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has XRP ever flipped Ethereum before?

Yes, back in 2018 XRP did briefly overtake Ethereum. It didn’t last long—Ethereum bounced back fast, thanks to its developer ecosystem and broader use cases.

Can XRP flip Ethereum in 2025?

Not likely but never say never. XRP would need a massive price surge and big adoption in the banking sector, while Ethereum would have to really struggle—think regulatory issues, scaling problems or a loss of investor confidence.

What would help XRP overtake Ethereum?

For XRP to pull ahead we’d need to see big banks and financial institutions fully on board and clear regulatory approval that removes any doubts. At the same time Ethereum would have to hit roadblocks like high fees or not scaling.

Is XRP a better investment than Ethereum?

Depends what you’re after. Ethereum is the backbone of DeFi, NFTs and smart contracts, so if you believe in Web3 it’s a long term play. XRP is about speed, low fees and banking adoption, so if you think the financial world will adopt it then that’s your bet.

What happens if XRP flips Ethereum?

It would be big—expect FOMO, media hype and wild speculation. But Ethereum isn’t going anywhere—it’s still the decentralized applications king so even if XRP jumps ahead ETH’s role in crypto is too big to ignore.

References

• MIT Sloan. “The Pros and Cons of ICOs for Entrepreneurs.” MIT Sloan School of Management, https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/pros-and-cons-icos-entrepreneurs.
• XRPL Foundation. “XRP Ledger Documentation.” XRPL.org, https://xrpl.org/.
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. “SEC Charges Ripple and Two Executives with Conducting $1.3 Billion Unregistered Securities Offering.” SEC.gov, 22 Dec. 2020, https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020-338.
• Ethereum Improvement Proposals. “EIP-721: Non-Fungible Token Standard.” Ethereum.org, https://eips.ethereum.org/EIPS/eip-721.
• Ethereum Foundation. “ERC-1155 Multi Token Standard.” Ethereum.org, https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/standards/tokens/erc-1155/.
• Ethereum Foundation. “Danksharding.” Ethereum.org, https://ethereum.org/en/roadmap/danksharding/.