XRP, the digital asset crafted by Ripple, has roared back to prominence, reclaiming its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. The ascension marks a crucial chapter in its tumultuous journey, one colored by legal battles and market fluctuations. Alongside this milestone, a surge in Google searches for XRP has solidified its place not only as a key player in the crypto markets but as a topic of mainstream interest, even outpacing general searches for crypto. This seismic shift has unleashed a wave of excitement and analysis within the financial community.
The Shadow of 2020: XRP’s Fall From Grace
To understand XRP’s remarkable resurgence, one must revisit December 2020, a turning point for the cryptocurrency. That month, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission launched a lawsuit against Ripple, alleging that the firm had conducted an “unregistered digital asset securities offering.” The allegations struck a devastating blow to XRP’s market valuation, triggering a sharp decline in its price from $0.50 to $0.17-erasing over $15 billion in market value in a matter of days.
Eleanor Terrett, a reporter from Fox Business, summarized the aftermath on a recent post on X, highlighting how XRP’s market position plummeted. Over the next four years, gripped by legal uncertainty, XRP languished in the seventh spot by market cap, trailing Tether, Binance Coin, Solana, and Circle’s USD Coin. Yet, its resilience was unmistakable; one commentator aptly noted, “The fact that it never fell out of the top 10 said a lot.”
A Legal Turning Point Sparks Revival
As the curtain began to fall on Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC, a series of significant court victories for the blockchain firm injected much-needed optimism into the market. By 2024, Ripple’s fortunes had started to shift dramatically, and XRP was well-positioned for a strong comeback.
Adding an unexpected twist to XRP’s revival, the outcome of the 2024 U.S. presidential election also played a role. Following Donald Trump’s victory, market sentiment toward XRP became markedly bullish, sparking a flurry of activity that propelled the cryptocurrency back into the limelight. By November, XRP had posted substantial gains, finally surpassing stalwarts like BNB, SOL, and USD Coin to snatch the coveted third spot behind Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Renowned pro-XRP attorney John Deaton succinctly captured the historic moment on X, noting, “This is how it looked before Dec. 22, 2020,” as XRP returned to its pre-lawsuit glory.
The Google Trend Phenomenon: XRP Captures the Spotlight
While XRP’s market cap ascent grabbed headlines, its rising prominence in web searches added another layer to the story. November witnessed a surprising statistic: searches for “XRP” on Google surged past those for “crypto.” This trend not only highlighted XRP’s newfound popularity but also suggested an increasing level of mainstream and retail interest, as investors and enthusiasts worldwide turned their attention to the token.
Google Trends data shows that the term “XRP” eclipsed “crypto” in search volume multiple times during the month. Furthermore, XRP even managed to overtake Ethereum in search popularity early in November—though toppling Bitcoin in search interest remains elusive. The ongoing traction underscores XRP’s unique ability to capture public curiosity, setting the stage for broader adoption and awareness.
The Road Ahead: Can XRP Rival Ethereum?
Despite XRP’s dizzying rise, Ethereum retains a significant edge as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. At the time of writing, Ethereum’s market value exceeds XRP’s by a substantial 219%, reflecting the scale of the challenge XRP faces if it hopes to overtake ETH.
However, crypto trader Christopher Jaszczynski (posting under the pseudonym MMCrypto) has floated a bold prediction: XRP will surpass Ethereum when its price climbs to $7.75. While that figure represents a staggering leap from XRP’s current trading price of $2.35, such optimism is rooted in XRP’s recent explosive growth trajectory. Over just a single month-since November 1-the cryptocurrency has posted a remarkable 341% price surge, with an annual return of approximately 280%.
A Narrative of Resilience and Momentum
XRP’s story is, at its core, one of resilience. For four long years, the cryptocurrency weathered adversity, enduring the weight of an SEC lawsuit that many feared would force Ripple to its knees. Instead, XRP held firm, refusing to sink below the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap, and its community matched that resolve with unwavering support.
Today, as XRP finds itself not only restored but thriving, its journey serves as a testament to the volatile yet dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency industry. The question now isn’t whether XRP is back—but how far this reinvigorated digital asset can go. Could it dethrone Ethereum? Only time will tell.
