XRP, the cryptocurrency powering Ripple’s blockchain payment solutions, has reclaimed its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. This milestone comes nearly four years after a legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which accused Ripple of conducting an unregistered securities offering in 2020. The lawsuit initially caused XRP’s value to plummet from $0.50 to $0.17, wiping out over $15 billion in market value.

A Surge in Popularity and Price

XRP’s resurgence is fuelled by significant legal victories for Ripple and renewed market confidence. Following Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential victory in November 2024, XRP saw a meteoric 341% price increase. Currently trading at $2.35, the token has delivered annual returns of approximately 280%. XRP also overtook Solana, Binance Coin (BNB), and stablecoins like Tether (USDt) and Circle’s USD Coin (USDC) to reclaim its top-three status.

XRP Tops Crypto in Google Searches

XRP’s growing popularity isn’t limited to market performance. According to Google Trends, searches for “XRP” have outpaced those for “crypto” multiple times in November. The token also briefly overtook Ethereum (ETH) in search interest, reflecting its heightened visibility and investor curiosity.

Can XRP Challenge Ethereum?

Despite its impressive comeback, XRP has a long way to go to surpass Ethereum’s market capitalization. ETH currently exceeds XRP’s value by 219%. Crypto trader Christopher Jaszczynski predicts XRP could flip ETH if its price hits $7.75. While this target remains distant, XRP’s momentum suggests a renewed relevance in the crypto landscape.

XRP’s return to prominence underscores its resilience and the market’s belief in its long-term potential, even in the face of regulatory challenges.