XRP Gains NBA Star Support Amid Altcoin Surge

XRP is once again in the spotlight as legendary NBA player Scottie Pippen throws his support behind the digital asset during a surge of optimism surrounding the current altcoin market boom. The strong performance of various cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin is fueling speculation that the long-awaited altseason has finally begun.

In recent weeks, Bitcoin has experienced significant growth, climbing above the $105,000 mark and gaining roughly 25% over the past month. However, it’s the performance of certain altcoins that has truly captured the attention of investors. Ethereum saw impressive gains of 40% in just one week, while meme coins like Dogecoin mirrored similar trajectories. This widespread growth has prompted many to believe that an altseason—a period where alternative cryptocurrencies outperform Bitcoin—has officially arrived.

Among those captivated by the current market dynamics is basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen. Known historically as a supporter of Bitcoin, Pippen surprised many when he expressed bullish sentiment for a range of altcoins, acknowledging on social media that he’s paying close attention to digital assets like Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Dogecoin (DOGE), Cardano (ADA), Shiba Inu (SHIB), and Mog Coin (MOG). His post quickly garnered responses from the crypto community, with enthusiasts praising his interest in assets like Pepe (PEPE), Bittensor (TAO), Sui (SUI), and Hedera (HBAR).

This newfound interest in altcoins from Pippen signals a notable diversification in his crypto outlook, shifting from a previous stance that many viewed as largely Bitcoin-centric. The move reflects the increasing confidence in the altcoin market among institutional and retail investors alike, as they search for the next wave of disruptive assets within the blockchain space.

Scottie Pippen is no stranger to bold market predictions. Back in September 2024, he made headlines with an unusually vivid dream in which he claimed Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, appeared to him and forecasted a BTC price of $84,650 by November 5. At the time, Bitcoin was trading at approximately $57,000, making that prediction seem overly ambitious. Yet, events would soon unfold in dramatic fashion.

On the exact date of the U.S. presidential election, which concluded with Donald Trump’s victory, Bitcoin surged past $70,000. This rally ignited a broader momentum that eventually took the digital asset to nearly $110,000 in January 2025, lending unexpected credibility to Pippen’s prediction. Just days after the election, BTC reached the exact price point Pippen mentioned in his dream.

Emboldened by the accuracy of his previous vision, Pippen made an even bolder statement shortly before the end of 2024. This time he projected Bitcoin would ultimately reach an unprecedented $1 million per coin. With this proclamation, he aligned himself with other outspoken crypto advocates including Arthur Hayes, Robert Kiyosaki, Cathie Wood, Michael Saylor, and Binance’s Changpeng Zhao.

While Bitcoin remains a dominant force, the attention is clearly shifting toward altcoins as investor interest broadens. Pippen’s vocal support for assets like XRP not only adds a layer of credibility but also reflects the changing narrative in the digital currency space. Investors seem ready to explore and embrace a diverse ecosystem of tokens that offer unique use cases and value propositions beyond Bitcoin’s traditional role as a store of value.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

Altseason, if sustained, could reshape the crypto landscape by realigning focus from dominance by a single asset to a more balanced environment of innovation-driven altcoins. As things stand, interest in projects like XRP continues to grow, fueled by high-profile endorsements and promising developments in blockchain adoption.