Hold onto your hats, because the crypto world is buzzing with some surprising developments! XRP has just hit a price level not seen since November, and it’s not just a fluke—there’s a whole story behind this surge. But here’s where it gets controversial: while Bitcoin and its ETFs have been struggling, XRP is stealing the spotlight, and not everyone is convinced it’s here to stay. Let’s dive in.
XRP recently soared by approximately 11%, reaching a peak of $2.41—a high watermark not witnessed since November. However, the excitement was short-lived, as it quickly dipped to around $2.30 by 11:25 a.m. ET. This price action isn’t happening in a vacuum; it’s accompanied by a surge in trading activity. XRP’s 24-hour trading volume across exchanges tracked by CoinGecko exceeded $9 billion, more than double the previous day’s $3.6 billion. And this is the part most people miss: XRP’s year-to-date performance is up around 25%, outpacing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
So, what’s driving this rally? Adam Morgan McCarthy, a senior analyst at Kaiko, points to the role of ETFs. Spot XRP ETFs in the U.S. have yet to record a single day of outflows since their launch, and on Monday alone, $46.1 million flowed into these funds, bringing cumulative inflows to a staggering $1.23 billion, according to SoSoValue. McCarthy explains, ‘XRP’s jump has support from improved liquidity conditions due to ETFs and tracks a broader risk-on mood in markets at present.’ But here’s the catch: liquidity has been inconsistent, and this volatility could dampen future rallies. Is this a sustainable trend, or just a fleeting moment of glory?
Meanwhile, meme coins are making a quiet comeback, with Pepe leading the charge in 2026 gains. Pepe’s price surged 34% in the last 24 hours, liquidating nearly $9.9 million worth of short positions, as per CoinGlass. This frog-themed coin isn’t alone; Dogecoin, Shiba Inu, and PUMP have also seen gains between 8.4% and 10.9%, signaling a resurgence for meme tokens after a brutal 2025. Are meme coins the next big thing, or just a passing fad?
XRP ETFs have now surpassed $1 billion in assets, with Canary’s ETF trading on Nasdaq under the ticker XRPC leading the pack. Launched in November, it recorded a record $58.5 million in trading volume on its first day and now holds $342 million in assets. Grayscale, Bitwise, Franklin Templeton, and 21Shares have also joined the fray, further cementing XRP’s growing importance in the crypto ecosystem. But here’s the question: Can XRP maintain this momentum, or will it fall back into the shadows?
Jake Hanley of Teucrium Investment Advisors isn’t surprised by the interest in XRP ETFs. He believes XRP and the Ripple ecosystem offer a unique investment case, and crossing the $1 billion mark is a significant vote of confidence from investors. Yet, with Bitcoin’s struggles and XRP’s own 15% dip over the past month, the road ahead is far from certain.
So, what do you think? Is XRP’s rally a sign of things to come, or just a temporary blip? And are meme coins worth taking seriously? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
