XRP Surges Past Tether to Reclaim #3 Spot with $152B Market Cap — Eyes $3 Breakout

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  • XRP has surged 10% to $2.60, reclaiming the #3 spot in crypto rankings by overtaking Tether with a $152B market cap.
  • With strong trader interest and legal clarity, analysts say a breakout above $2.69 could push XRP toward the $3 mark.



XRP has made a stunning comeback, overtaking Tether (USDT) to reclaim its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. The token surged 10% in the past 24 hours, climbing to $2.60 and pushing its total market value to $152 billion, according to CoinMarketCap data.

This move places XRP just behind Bitcoin and Ethereum, edging past Tether’s $150 billion cap. Unlike the price-stable USDT, XRP’s market cap increase is fueled by real price momentum — and now, all eyes are on the critical $2.69 resistance level.

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Analysts highlight $2.69 as the 0.236 Fibonacci retracement from XRP’s all-time high of $3.84. A clean breakout above this could trigger a rally toward the psychologically significant $3 mark — and possibly challenge the 2018 high of $3.40.

The rally is backed by surging derivatives volume, which spiked 172% to nearly $19 billion, indicating aggressive positioning by traders. Open interest also rose over 15%, signaling strong conviction behind XRP’s recent move.

Fueling this surge are a mix of bullish fundamentals: Missouri’s House Bill 594, which proposes tax incentives on crypto gains including XRP, and a notable 11% rise in XRP holders since the start of 2025. Furthermore, XRP’s integration as a payment option on Travala.com highlights expanding real-world adoption.

Legal clarity is also playing a role. Ripple’s recent $50 million settlement proposal with the SEC could end years of regulatory uncertainty. If approved, it would allow Ripple to reclaim $125 million held in escrow, potentially strengthening its financial and market position.

Technical analysts say momentum remains on XRP’s side. “If XRP breaks and holds above $2.69, we could see a rally toward $3 very soon,” noted CasiTrades. Market watchers like Dark Defender believe XRP is tracking closely with prior bullish wave predictions.

With rising adoption, positive legal developments, and strong market sentiment, XRP appears well-positioned for further upside — possibly rewriting its 2018 record in the days ahead.