CNBC this week singled out XRP as the “hottest crypto trade” of 2026, highlighting a sharp rally that has pushed the token ahead of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) in recent performance.
The endorsement has divided traders, with some viewing the renewed mainstream attention as validation of further upside, while others see it as a potential signal that the rally may be approaching a peak.
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CNBC Highlights XRP’s Breakout
On air, CNBC emphasized that XRP’s recent gains have outpaced those of better-known digital assets, with one anchor stating that “the hottest crypto trade of the year is not Bitcoin, it’s not Ethereum — it’s XRP.”
The network noted that XRP has climbed more than 20% in recent weeks, overtaking Binance’s BNB token to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization.
Despite broader weakness across parts of the crypto market, commentators described XRP as a “quiet outperformer” that has continued to attract capital even during recent pullbacks.
CNBC anchors pointed to XRP’s focus on cross-border payments as a key driver of investor interest.
The segment cited three factors supporting the rally:
- The resolution of Ripple’s long-running legal battle with U.S. regulators.
- Reduced crowding compared with Bitcoin and Ethereum trades.
- Sustained inflows into XRP-focused funds.
Still, some panelists questioned whether adoption by banks and global payment networks is advancing quickly enough to justify current prices.
“I like the narrative on XRP, but I’m questioning the timing,” one contributor said during the broadcast.
“To have banks doing cross-border payments and settlements on the blockchain still feels like quite a way away.”
Traders Divided Over XRP’s Renewed Attention
Reaction among traders on social media has been mixed, reflecting both optimism and caution following the high-profile coverage.
“XRP hype again, but we all know how that turned out last time lol,” one trader wrote on X.
From 2017 to early 2018, XRP surged from fractions of a cent to nearly $3.40, driven by heavy promotion as a bank-friendly cryptocurrency that could “replace SWIFT.”
That rally later collapsed amid regulatory and legal challenges, and XRP subsequently spent years trading 80–90% below its peak.
“CNBC calling something hot is usually the signal to start watching exits,” another trader wrote.
Others were more bullish on the renewed attention.
“Should see a 4x–7x this year,” one post said.
Recent Price Movement
XRP was trading near $2.23 at the time of reporting.
The token has risen nearly 20% over the past seven days, though it fell about 4% in the last 24 hours.
CoinMarketCap said the increase in open interest, alongside higher spot trading volumes, points to growing trader participation.
However, the site warned that the rally remains vulnerable to sharp price swings in either direction.
Institutional interest has also increased through exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to XRP.
U.S.-listed spot XRP ETFs recorded their strongest daily inflows since launch, according to data from SoSoValue.
The five products generated approximately $13.6 million in net inflows on Friday, increasing total inflows for the week to around $43 million.
Total net assets across the products have risen to around $1.37 billion, the data showed.
Further Upside Possible, but Risks Remain
Victor Olanrewaju, an analyst at CCN, said XRP’s daily chart continues to support a bullish outlook despite the recent pullback.
“If momentum holds and buyers remain active, XRP could break $2.49 and extend toward $2.94,” Olanrewaju said, adding that a more optimistic scenario could see prices rise as high as $3.26.
However, he cautioned that weakening demand could invalidate the bullish setup, potentially pulling the token back toward the $1.77 level.
