- A Wall Street analyst compares XRP’s current phase to Berkshire Hathaway’s overlooked early years.
- The argument hinges on XRP’s institutional use cases rather than hype-driven speculation.
- Despite a deep pullback, long-term holders remain focused on regulation and adoption catalysts.
Linda P. Jones, a veteran Wall Street analyst, recently reignited debate around XRP by comparing its current phase to Berkshire Hathaway’s early years. In her view, XRP doesn’t behave like a meme coin fueled by hype cycles or viral sentiment. Instead, she argues it sits in a different category altogether, one that feels closer to a financial network asset than a speculative token.
This framing aligns closely with how many XRP supporters already see the asset. Rather than chasing short-term narratives, XRP is positioned around institutional infrastructure, particularly through Ripple’s payment rails and long-standing partnerships. That distinction, Jones believes, is what separates XRP from most of the crypto market.
Why XRP Is Compared to Early Berkshire Hathaway
Jones’ core argument centers on patience. She suggests that selling XRP today is similar to selling Berkshire Hathaway shares before Warren Buffett transformed the company into a global powerhouse. Berkshire began as a relatively unremarkable textile business in the 1950s, and for years it was overlooked by the market.
Once Buffett began accumulating shares in the early 1960s and assumed control in 1965, the company’s trajectory changed completely. Investors who sold early missed decades of compounding gains, while those who held through uncertainty were rewarded in ways few assets ever manage. Jones sees XRP sitting at a comparable inflection point, misunderstood rather than fundamentally weak.
The Numbers Behind the Berkshire Comparison
The historical comparison becomes even sharper when looking at performance. Since Berkshire Hathaway’s Class A shares began trading on the NYSE, the stock has delivered returns exceeding 300,000%. That kind of outcome didn’t happen quickly, and it certainly didn’t feel obvious in the early years.
Jones believes XRP could follow a similarly long arc. She stresses that the comparison is about structure and patience, not timing. In her view, XRP is still maturing, and short-term price action doesn’t invalidate the broader thesis.
XRP’s Price Pullback Tests Investor Conviction
Right now, conviction is being tested. XRP has fallen nearly 48% from its July high near $3.65 and trades around $1.91, roughly 50% below its all-time high of $3.84. For many holders, that kind of drawdown feels uncomfortable, especially after a strong mid-year rally.
Jones notes that this weakness isn’t unique to XRP. Bitcoin and Ethereum have also suffered notable pullbacks during the same period. From her perspective, broad market pressure matters, and XRP’s decline doesn’t necessarily signal a broken long-term story.
Why Long-Term Holders Are Still Watching the Bigger Picture
Despite the ongoing pressure, XRP supporters remain focused on upcoming catalysts. Growing institutional demand, continued integration into payment systems, and regulatory developments such as progress around the CLARITY Act are all seen as potential turning points.
For believers in the long thesis, today’s prices resemble accumulation zones rather than failure points. Much like early Berkshire Hathaway, XRP may look unexciting in real time. But if the underlying vision plays out, Jones argues that patience, not timing, could end up being the defining factor.
