CNBC Focus: Why Will XRP Be the Hottest Cryptocurrency to Trade in 2026?

In the first week of 2026, while Bitcoin was consolidating above $90,000, XRP attracted global investors’ attention with an astonishing gain of over 30%, gaining significant coverage from mainstream financial media CNBC. CNBC explicitly pointed out in its report that XRP has quietly become a breakout trade in the 2026 cryptocurrency rebound, even calling it the “new crypto darling.”

Strong Start

The 2026 cryptocurrency market was led by XRP. Since the beginning of the new year, this cross-border payment-focused digital asset has launched a strong rally. Data from early January shows that XRP’s price surged significantly from its lows at the start of the year, reaching near $2.40, with a year-to-date increase of over 31%, outperforming Bitcoin and Ethereum during the same period. This rally temporarily pushed XRP’s market cap past BNB, reaffirming its position as the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market value globally.

Compared to the performance of major cryptocurrencies at the start of the year, XRP’s lead is evident. According to Gate market data, as of January 9, 2026, XRP’s latest price was $2.17, maintaining considerable resilience despite recent market volatility.

Upward Momentum

XRP’s current rally is driven by multiple factors, including spot ETF capital inflows, significant tightening of exchange supply, and positive technical breakthroughs that together form a solid fundamental foundation.

Since the approval of the US spot XRP ETF in November 2025, it has demonstrated continuous and stable capital attraction. These products have experienced net inflows for several consecutive weeks after listing, with a cumulative scale exceeding $1.23 billion. Even during the overall weak market sentiment in Q4 2025, the ETF’s capital inflows remained steady, which market analysts interpret as a “contrarian investment” or “non-crowded trade” strategy, yielding substantial returns in early 2026.

A more fundamental bullish signal comes from on-chain supply data. According to multiple analytics platforms, XRP reserves on centralized exchanges have fallen to their lowest levels in eight years. Since October 2025, over 300 million XRP have been withdrawn from Binance alone. The sharp decline in exchange reserves typically indicates a reduction in available spot supply, creating favorable conditions for price increases.

On the technical analysis front, XRP has successfully broken through a key resistance level. Analysts note that XRP’s price has not only broken out of a descending wedge pattern but also firmly remains above the 50-day moving average, both classic bullish momentum indicators.

Market Divergence

Despite high market enthusiasm, analysts hold differing views on the sustainability of XRP’s rally and the underlying drivers. Some believe the current rally is driven by genuine and diverse demand. CNBC reports that investors are attracted by XRP’s long-term narrative in cross-border payments and its appeal as a “differentiated allocation” outside Bitcoin and Ethereum. Institutional accumulation through ETFs and long-term holders buying at low levels together form a solid buying base.

However, another perspective warns of risks. Some analysts suggest that part of the recent price increase may be due to “extremely thin sell-side liquidity,” meaning there are insufficient sell orders above, rather than entirely driven by aggressive active buying.

Additionally, as prices rise, the net profit realization among long-term XRP holders has rebounded to levels seen in early December last year. Historical data shows that this area is prone to profit-taking and subsequent pullbacks.

Future Outlook

Regarding XRP’s trajectory in 2026, market focus centers on several key factors. The immediate test is whether the price can effectively break through and hold above the critical resistance zone of $2.40–2.41. This area is identified as an important supply cluster and a cost basis for many holdings. Successfully conquering this zone could set the next technical target near $2.69.

On a macro level, broader cryptocurrency market risk appetite will directly influence XRP’s performance. If Bitcoin continues its strength and challenges higher prices, capital spillover effects could further benefit XRP and other leading altcoins. Conversely, if the overall market shifts toward risk aversion, XRP’s independent rally may face challenges.

In the medium to long term, XRP’s narrative remains centered on its cross-border payment utility and regulatory clarity. As legal hurdles are removed, its adoption within financial institutions will become a key factor influencing its fundamental value.

How to Trade XRP on Gate

As a leading digital asset, XRP is available on Gate with a wide range of convenient trading options. Whether you want to buy and sell instantly or engage in more complex strategies, you can find suitable products. You can easily trade XRP on Gate’s spot market. The platform offers various trading pairs including XRP/USDT and XRP/BTC, with ample liquidity and tight spreads, meeting the needs for quick execution. If you want to capture XRP’s long-term price trend without holding the asset directly, Gate’s XRP/USDT perpetual contracts are an efficient tool. They support both long and short positions and offer flexible leverage options.

As of January 9, XRP’s latest price on Gate is $2.17, with the total market cap remaining above $131.7 billion. Since the beginning of the year, XRP’s performance has significantly outperformed the top two cryptocurrencies, making it one of the most watched assets. Analyst Dom warns to closely monitor whether buy orders can follow through and provide support, as this type of rally is not entirely driven by aggressive market buying. XRP’s reserves on exchanges have fallen to an eight-year low, down about 57% from October last year. When asked whether XRP can replicate its glory in 2026, a Nasdaq analyst provided a relatively conservative but optimistic forecast: $3, which still leaves considerable room compared to the current price.