- XRP could reach $9.60 if it matches Ethereum’s current market capitalization
- The token has consolidated for 13 months, often a setup for larger moves
- Regulatory progress and expanding partnerships continue to support long-term adoption
XRP is starting to re-enter a conversation that hasn’t carried much weight in recent months. New projections suggest the token could reach $9.60 if it were to match Ethereum’s current market capitalization. It’s a big comparison, sure, but one that tends to come up when markets zoom out and start thinking in cycles rather than weeks.
The idea was highlighted by crypto analyst XRP Captain (@UniverseTwenty), who noted that such a move would represent roughly a 4.9x increase from current levels. He also pointed to XRP holders who have stayed committed since 2017, a group that’s weathered multiple boom-and-bust phases without exiting. That kind of long-term conviction still plays a role in how XRP is positioned today, even if it’s easy to forget during quieter stretches.
Where XRP Stands Relative to Ethereum
At the moment, XRP remains well below Ethereum in terms of market size. XRP’s market capitalization sits around $119 billion, compared to Ethereum’s roughly $583 billion, placing XRP at about 0.20x of ETH’s valuation. That gap is large, but it also highlights the theoretical upside if adoption continues to expand.
XRP Captain emphasizes that long-term holding patterns matter here. Assets that sustain committed holder bases through extended consolidations often have an easier time absorbing new demand later. In XRP’s case, that base has been forming quietly.
A Long Consolidation That May Be Building Pressure
For roughly 13 months, XRP has remained stuck in a broad consolidation range. That kind of sideways action can feel exhausting for traders, but it often serves a purpose. Consolidation phases allow supply to rotate, pressure to build, and narratives to reset.
Historically, assets with growing adoption that spend long periods consolidating tend to move decisively once direction returns. XRP’s steady activity during this phase suggests it hasn’t been abandoned, just paused.
Ripple’s Expansion and Regulatory Progress
Several structural factors continue to support XRP’s longer-term outlook. Ripple has expanded its global partnerships, particularly with financial institutions and payment networks that directly benefit from XRP’s settlement utility. Each new integration reinforces its role beyond speculation.
Regulatory clarity also plays a growing role. Ripple’s focus on licenses and compliance has helped position XRP closer to traditional finance rather than outside it. Legislative recognition often attracts institutional capital, and XRP’s regulatory posture adds credibility at a time when that matters more than noise.
What $9.60 Would Mean for XRP
If XRP were to reach Ethereum’s current market cap, its price would land near $9.60. That wouldn’t just be a price milestone, it would elevate XRP into a much more dominant role within the crypto market. Some analysts even argue that XRP’s technology and strategic positioning could allow it to challenge Ethereum directly over time.
Whether that scenario plays out or not, the discussion itself is telling. XRP is increasingly being viewed not as a leftover from past cycles, but as an asset that could still reshape the upper ranks of crypto if conditions align.
