📉 $XRP Is Up in 2026 - But Is the Trade Still What It Used to Be?
XRP is off to a strong start this year, up over 20% and outperforming larger names like $BTC and Ethereum. It’s back near the top of the market by value - but the rally has reopened an uncomfortable question: is XRP still a long-term trade, or just a strong narrative move?
XRP was built around a clear idea: a neutral bridge asset for fast, cheap cross-border payments. That vision fueled massive adoption and community growth during the 2017–2018 cycle, when banks were expected to settle globally using XRP instead of slow legacy rails.
Here’s what changed 👇
• Banks chose control and compliance, adopting Ripple’s messaging tools - not $XRP settlement
• Stablecoins exploded, offering low-volatility transfers without FX risk
• Ripple expanded into custody, prime brokerage, and launched its own dollar stablecoin
According to analysts like Ellio Trades, Ripple as a company is thriving - but XRP’s original “global bridge” thesis has faded. Stablecoins now move trillions annually, while XRP’s role looks increasingly niche. XRP may still rally with market cycles, but its use case today is very different from what first made it famous.
