XRP Tops Bitcoin & Ethereum as 2026’s Breakout Crypto – CNBC

CNBC Fast Money Spotlights XRP as 2026’s Breakout Crypto

During a recent CNBC Fast Money segment, CNBC correspondent Mackenzie Sigalos acknowledged an unexpected standout in the 2026 crypto market. 

It wasn’t Bitcoin or Ethereum, XRP took the spotlight, surging 25% in a single week to hit the key psychological level of $2.40, reigniting investor interest and reshaping market narratives.

As BankXRP highlighted, while Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to command headlines, XRP’s resurgence signals a deeper shift in investor capital allocation within a maturing crypto market. According to Sigalos, the rally is fueled by three key fundamentals that distinctly position XRP ahead of its larger peers.

Regulatory clarity is the primary catalyst. After years of legal uncertainty, Ripple officially closed its long-running dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in August last year, removing a major overhang on XRP. With the SEC battle resolved, institutional barriers have fallen, giving investors a clear green light to re-enter XRP with renewed confidence.

On the other hand,  XRP’s real-world utility is back in the spotlight. As Sigalos noted, XRP is increasingly positioning itself as the exchange layer that moves value between currencies.”

In a global payments system still plagued by high costs and slow settlement, XRP’s speed and low fees make it a compelling bridge asset, particularly as traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure continue to converge.

Furthermore, XRP is emerging as a less crowded, more strategic trade. While Bitcoin and Ethereum are heavily owned and increasingly swayed by ETF flows and macro-driven selloffs, XRP offers diversification. 

Notably, during the Q4 market pullback, inflows into XRP-focused funds held firm even as Bitcoin ETF inflows weakened alongside prices. This resilience signals that investors are increasingly viewing XRP as both a hedge against broader market volatility and a high-conviction growth play.

Notably, Sigalos acknowledged that since the regulatory overhang had finally lifted, XRP remains a far less crowded trade than Bitcoin or Ether, and capital flows have stayed resilient, even through the Q4 market dip.

Despite a slight pullback to $2.25, XRP is seeing rapid capital inflows. Its 2026 breakout highlights a market shift where regulatory clarity, real-world utility, and strategic positioning now rival sheer size in driving crypto success.

Conclusion

XRP’s 2026 surge signals more than a short-term rally, it reflects a shift in investor focus. With regulatory clarity, strong cross-border payment utility, and resilient inflows even during market dips, XRP is emerging as a credible alternative to crowded crypto trades. Its breakout highlights that utility-driven, compliant assets may lead the next phase of crypto growth.