XRP vs. Ethereum… Is a market cap reversal possible?

Source: DigitalToday Original Title: XRP vs. Ethereum…Is a Market Cap Flip Possible? Original Link:

Can XRP truly surpass the perennial second-place cryptocurrency Ethereum? Last year, some industry insiders suggested a ‘market cap flip’(flippening) where XRP would overtake Ethereum by 2025, but the reality remains challenging.

Analyzing data from blockchain media, the gap between XRP optimism and market reality becomes clear. XRP surged over 700% from late 2024 to mid-2025, closing in rapidly, but its peak market cap at that time was only $210 billion. Meanwhile, Ethereum recorded a market cap of $600 billion during the same period, maintaining a significant lead.

The current situation is also tough. XRP(2.10) has a market cap of about $127 billion, while Ethereum(3100) is valued at $375 billion. The gap between the two cryptocurrencies is approximately $250 billion. Simple calculations suggest XRP would need to rise more than threefold to around $6.66 to reach a market cap of $400 billion, comparable to Ethereum.

Long-term prospects, however, remain optimistic. Standard Chartered(SC) predicts XRP will reach $10 by 2027, and many experts expect it to surpass $6 around 2027–2028.

The key issue is ‘relative speed.’ It’s unlikely that Ethereum will stay stagnant while XRP triples in value. Given the nature of the crypto market, large assets tend to rise together, so when XRP surges, Ethereum is also likely to increase, maintaining or even widening the gap.

The outlook for 2030 is more complex. Analysts from crypto prediction platforms forecast Ethereum reaching $14,673(market cap of $1.76 trillion). XRP, however, is projected to hit only $16.24, with a market cap of $976 billion, still trailing behind Ethereum. Some XRP optimists argue it could surpass $100(market cap of $6 trillion) by 2030, but this seems unlikely. Conversely, Ethereum bulls suggest it could rise to $62,000, making it difficult for XRP to catch up.

Variables that could shake up the market include Ripple’s potential IPO(IPO), approval of XRP spot ETFs(ETF), and changes in U.S. regulatory environment, all of which could act as strong catalysts for XRP. Ethereum also faces challenges such as expanding its Layer 2 ecosystem and solving gas fee issues, with the pace of technological roadmap implementation likely influencing the gap between the two.

In conclusion, based on data and market trends, it seems unlikely that XRP will surpass Ethereum in the near future. For XRP to achieve flippening, Ethereum’s growth would need to stagnate, or XRP would have to achieve unprecedented levels of global adoption. Rather than vague expectations of ranking reversal, attention should be paid to the tangible utility each project demonstrates within the financial system.