Key Insights
- XRP reclaimed a $122 billion market cap, surpassing BNB to become the fourth-largest cryptocurrency amid strong daily price growth.
- XRP trading volume jumped 140 percent to $4.14 billion, signaling renewed activity and rising investor engagement in the ecosystem.
- XRP ETFs continued to attract investor inflows in early 2026, with $13.59 million recorded on January 2, reflecting strong institutional demand.
XRP has reclaimed its $122 billion market capitalization, surpassing Binance Coin (BNB) to rank as the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market value. According to CoinMarketCap data, this shift occurred on January 3 after XRP recorded a daily gain of more than 6 percent, pushing its price close to the $2 mark.
Alongside the market cap surge, XRP experienced a sharp uptick in trading activity. Within 24 hours, XRP’s trading volume surged over 140 percent, reaching approximately $4.14 billion. This increase in volume indicates heightened interest from both retail and institutional traders, further supporting the upward price trend.
Wider Crypto Market Rally Boosts Altcoins
The broader crypto market has continued to rally since the beginning of 2026. XRP’s latest gains align with a positive trend seen across several major altcoins. Notably, XRP posted the strongest price increase among the top five cryptocurrencies over the last day, outpacing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB in daily gains.
Investor confidence appears to be extending beyond spot markets. XRP-related exchange-traded funds (ETFs) continued to register positive inflows into the new year. As of January 2, ETF products linked to XRP saw inflows amounting to $13.59 million, sustaining the momentum seen in the final quarter of 2025.
Market Performance Signals Renewed Trader Interest
Data shows that XRP’s on-chain activity also increased significantly, reflecting renewed interest among smaller and larger investors. This pattern suggests a broader market movement rather than isolated trading spikes. The increased activity supports XRP’s re-entry into the top-four crypto rankings when stablecoins are excluded.
While XRP surged, BNB showed modest gains of just 0.65 percent on the same day. BNB’s market capitalization stood at approximately $120.31 billion, just behind XRP. The close valuation has turned the XRP-BNB rivalry into one of the most closely watched in the crypto space.
