XRP vs ETH: Will XRP Reach $10 Before Ethereum Hits $10K?

XRP remains at the center of speculative debate in the crypto community as discussions intensify over which digital asset will achieve its next major milestone first—XRP reaching $10 or Ethereum hitting $10,000. To explore this, four top AI platforms—ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Grok—were consulted for insights.

The question is a compelling one. Both XRP and ETH, two of the most widely recognized altcoins, are currently trading well below their respective targets. While Ethereum previously surged close to $5,000 in 2021, XRP hit a record high of $3.40 back in 2018, only coming close to that again in 2025. Despite the variance in all-time highs, from a percentage growth standpoint, both require approximately a 300% increase to reach their respective benchmarks. This makes the race even tighter and more intriguing.

When asked which crypto asset would reach its milestone first, all four AIs leaned slightly in favor of Ethereum. They attributed its advantage to a mix of market maturity, ongoing development, and broad institutional utilization. ETH appears to benefit from a range of favorable factors, including the expansion of its DeFi applications, NFT platforms, and the increasing tokenization of real-world assets (RWA).

From ChatGPT’s point of view, institutional adoption provides a significant tailwind. Ethereum has seen a rise in demand from companies choosing to hold ETH in treasury reserves, even at the expense of Bitcoin. Another example includes firms that sold BTC in favor of Ethereum, driven by growing belief in ETH’s utility.

Gemini echoed this view, emphasizing Ethereum’s leadership role in blockchain innovation. Its potential to benefit from Spot ETF adoption, combined with technical upgrades and real-world integrations, positions ETH as the more likely runner to touch its milestone first. Gemini summarized this sentiment, saying that Ethereum’s established ecosystem and diversified use cases offer it a better probability in the medium term.

XRP: A Dark Horse with Institutional Potential

While Ethereum may currently hold the perceived edge, the outlook for XRP is far from bleak. The AIs also explored what would need to happen for XRP to hit the $10 mark before Ethereum reaches $10,000. Regulatory clarity stood out as a primary condition for XRP’s growth. Gemini highlighted how widespread institutional use of Ripple’s native token for international money transfers could change the game entirely.

Grok took this a step further by emphasizing Ripple’s aggressive business expansion. One of the most notable moves included the acquisition of prime brokerage firm Hidden Road for over $1.2 billion. This strategic investment was seen as a major turning point for XRP’s growth, prompting many to see it as a game-changer for Ripple’s ecosystem and utility.

Additionally, excitement is brewing over the potential approval of a spot XRP ETF in the United States. According to Polymarket forecasts, there is more than a 90% chance of such an ETF receiving approval during 2025. Should this become a reality, institutional investors would have new, regulated avenues to invest in XRP, potentially boosting demand and market value significantly.

Despite the AI consensus favoring Ethereum, the race remains highly competitive. Both coins need substantial momentum to reach their targets, and market conditions continue to evolve. If Ripple succeeds in cementing its institutional partnerships and secures regulatory green lights, XRP could close the gap faster than many anticipate.

Related: XRP Price: $12M Max Pain for Bears

Ultimately, the outcome depends on how external developments unfold. Regulation, technological innovation, and broader economic conditions will each play a pivotal role in determining whether XRP or ETH claims the victory in this crypto milestone race.