XRP outperforms Bitcoin as CNBC calls it Crypto’s New Darling
Ripple's payment token XRP has been named “the new darling of cryptocurrency” by CNBC after gaining 25% in the first week of the new year.
“The hottest crypto business of the year isn't Bitcoin, it's not Ether, it's XRP,” CNBC Power Lunch host Brian Sullivan said on Tuesday.
The price of XRP increased in the new year.
XRP (XRP) is up 25% since January 1st, Bitcoin (BTC) is up 6%, and Ether (ETH) is up 10% since New Year's Day.
But there may be many more tailwinds driving the price of the token.
The exchange rate, social sentiment, on-chain fundamentals and recent partnerships explain why XRP outperforms its peers.
Analysts caution that ETF earnings and social media sentiment are historically volatile and won't yield sustained price appreciation. XRP's previous rallies, driven by narrative momentum, often freeze if flows slow or broader market conditions change.
Onchain metrics such as declining exchange rates can quickly reverse during periods of high volatility, while regulatory and macroeconomic developments are key external risks that can weigh on price action despite a strong first-year performance.
WATCH: CNBC Says “The Hottest Crypto Trade of the Year Isn't Bitcoin, It's Not Ether, It's $XRP.” pic.twitter.com/moYcx3OtG0
— The Wolf Of All Streets (@scottmelker) January 6, 2026
XRP ETF momentum remains strong
CNBC host Mackenzie Sigalos said, “During the Q4 turmoil, a lot of people piled into XRP ETFs, which is the opposite of what happens with Bitcoin and Ether ETFs, where people move in tandem with the coin's price.
This is a way to make a “higher percentage jump” with investors buying the XRP dip in Q4 thinking “this is a more crowded business” than BTC or ETH, “which proved to be true in the first six trading days of January.”
Related: XRP Army Got Everything But $5 Price: Will 2026 Deliver?
The four spot XRP ETFs have seen nearly $100 million in inflows since the start of the year, with the highest inflows in more than five weeks on Monday, according to Coinglass.
Its total revenue now totals $1.15 billion, and there is no outflow date yet.
Aggressive social emotion and chain reaction
Social sentiment for XRP is also fierce. Market Profit, which uses AI to analyze crypto social media accounts, reports that both public sentiment and “smart money sentiment” are bullish.
XRP currency reserves on Binance are also at their lowest level in two years, according to CryptoQuant. A high cash balance usually means that investors are preparing to sell the property.
According to XRPscan, network activity and transactions have increased by more than 50% in the last two weeks.
Ripple is making more moves in Japan.
Ripple Labs also announced that it has partnered with major Japanese financial institutions, including Mizuho Bank, SMBC Nikko and Securitize Japan, to boost XRP Ledger adoption in Japan.
In December, Ripple received conditional approval for Ripple National Trust Bank's charter from the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Ripple President Monica Long told Bloomberg on Tuesday that the company's November funding and $40 billion valuation were “very positive and favorable for Ripple,” but that there were no immediate plans for an IPO.
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