Ripple’s cost token, XRP, has simply been labelled by CNBC as the “new cryptocurrency darling” after gaining 25% within the first week of the brand new 12 months.
“The most well liked crypto commerce of the 12 months isn’t Bitcoin, it isn’t Ether, it’s XRP,” said CNBC’s Energy Lunch host Brian Sullivan on Tuesday.
XRP value surges within the new 12 months
XRP (XRP) has gained 25% since Jan. 1, outperforming Bitcoin (BTC), which is up 6%, and Ether (ETH), which has risen 10% since New 12 months’s Day.
However there might be many extra tailwinds driving the token’s value.
Trade-traded fund momentum, social sentiment, on-chain fundamentals, and up to date partnerships may clarify why XRP is outperforming its friends for the time being.
Analysts warning that ETF inflows and social-media sentiment have traditionally confirmed risky and don’t assure sustained value appreciation. Earlier XRP rallies pushed by narrative momentum have usually cooled as soon as inflows slowed or broader market circumstances shifted.
Onchain metrics such as declining change balances may reverse rapidly in periods of heightened volatility, whereas regulatory and macroeconomic developments stay key exterior dangers that would weigh on value motion regardless of sturdy early-year efficiency.
WATCH: CNBC SAYS “THE HOTTEST CRYPTO TRADE OF THE YEAR IS NOT BITCOIN, IT IS NOT ETHER, IT IS $XRP.” pic.twitter.com/moYcx3OtG0
— The Wolf Of All Streets (@scottmelker) January 6, 2026
XRP ETF momentum stays sturdy
CNBC host Mackenzie Sigalos mentioned, “through the doldrums of This fall, lots of people have been piling into XRP ETFs, which is the precise reverse of what occurs with spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs, the place individuals transfer in tandem with the value of the coin.”
It is a method to have a “increased share bounce” with traders shopping for the XRP dip in This fall, pondering “it is a much less crowded commerce” than BTC or ETH, “and that proved to be true within the first six buying and selling days of January.”
Associated: The XRP Army got everything except $5 price: Will 2026 deliver?
The 4 spot XRP ETFs have seen nearly $100 million in inflows for the reason that starting of the 12 months, with the very best influx for greater than 5 weeks on Monday, in accordance with Coinglass.
Mixture inflows now complete $1.15 billion, and there has but to be an outflow day.
Bullish social sentiment and on-chain exercise
Social sentiment for XRP can also be bullish. Market Prophit, which makes use of AI to research crypto social media accounts, reports that each crowd sentiment and “sensible cash sentiment” are bullish.
XRP change reserves on Binance are additionally at their lowest ranges for 2 years, according to CryptoQuant. Excessive change balances normally imply traders are making ready to promote the asset.
There has additionally been a rise in community exercise and transactions, that are up greater than 50% over the previous fortnight, according to XRPscan.
Ripple is making extra strikes in Japan
Ripple Labs additionally reportedly introduced partnerships with main Japanese monetary establishments, together with Mizuho Financial institution, SMBC Nikko, and Securitize Japan, to spice up XRP Ledger adoption in Japan.
In December, Ripple received conditional approval from the US Workplace of the Comptroller of the Forex to constitution Ripple Nationwide Belief Financial institution.
Ripple President Monica Lengthy told Bloomberg on Tuesday that the agency’s November fund raise and $40 billion valuation have been “very constructive and favorable for Ripple,” however there have been no quick plans for an IPO.
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