XRP Could Challenge Bitcoin’s Dominance, Analyst Says

XRP is emerging as a serious contender to Bitcoin’s long-standing market dominance, according to respected crypto analyst Charles Shrem. As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve, industry watchers are beginning to question whether XRP could truly rival Bitcoin’s position at the top.

Charles Shrem, known for his insights shared as the mind behind the Blockchain Backer YouTube channel, has consistently shown a bullish outlook on XRP. His recent comment takes this stance further, explicitly declaring XRP as a threat to Bitcoin, a sentiment he had only implied in the past. This comes despite XRP’s ongoing struggle to mirror Bitcoin’s recent momentum.

XRP Faces Volatility Amid Bitcoin’s Rally

Between November 2024 and January 2025, XRP saw a remarkable 222% rise against Bitcoin. However, this surge was short-lived. Since February, the token has fallen over 39% compared to Bitcoin. While Bitcoin has continued setting new all-time highs, XRP has largely moved sideways, hovering around $2.

Still, Shrem believes XRP’s underlying technology and institutional positioning give it the muscle to challenge Bitcoin’s hegemony. Despite the performance gap in recent months, the potential of XRP remains a subject of heated conversation within the crypto community.

Shrem’s Bold Declaration Sends Ripple Through the Ecosystem

This is the first time Shrem has publicly stated that XRP poses a real threat to Bitcoin. His earlier remarks, particularly those stemming from political developments, hinted at this idea. For instance, following an executive order signed by Donald Trump in January 2025 to explore building a “digital asset stockpile,” Shrem noted the backlash from Bitcoin advocates against XRP.

Although the executive order never explicitly referenced Ripple or XRP, many Bitcoin supporters directed their criticism toward them. The speculation was fueled by rumors that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse advocated for XRP’s inclusion in this hypothetical reserve. This antagonism among crypto factions led Shrem to suggest that Bitcoin maximalists viewed XRP as a direct challenge.

Shrem has voiced this point repeatedly. His comments during these heated exchanges suggest that the hostility XRP receives from Bitcoin advocates may be a form of backhanded acknowledgment—an admission of XRP’s growing relevance and influence.

Ripple Effect: Market Tensions Stir Community Debate

The debate intensified with frequent Twitter discussions, with growing friction between Bitcoin purists and the XRP community. In one follow-up statement, Shrem noted the unintended consequence of the criticism: it essentially advertises XRP as a viable rival to Bitcoin, raising further intrigue about its potential for wider adoption and value capture.

What Would It Take for XRP to Surpass Bitcoin?

While speculation is rife, raw numbers outline just how large the gap is. XRP, currently priced at $2.09, holds a market capitalization of $123.7 billion. To simply overtake Ethereum’s valuation of $295.3 billion and take the second spot, XRP would need to increase by around 139%, reaching a price point of roughly $5.

The climb to dethrone Bitcoin is even steeper. With Bitcoin trading near $107,000 and commanding a market cap of $2.125 trillion, XRP would require a meteoric rise of over 1,600% to hit a price of $36. Though this may seem far-fetched, market analyst Dark Defender previously forecast such a price for XRP, suggesting this possibility is not off the table for long-term investors.

Still, achieving that would take more than just speculation—it would require substantial utility adoption, regulatory clarity, and perhaps most importantly, a shift in market sentiment that recognizes XRP’s real-world use cases in areas such as cross-border settlements and institutional finance.

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

In summary, while XRP may not pose an immediate threat to Bitcoin’s market crown, thought leaders like Charles Shrem argue that the foundational advantages of Ripple’s network, coupled with growing institutional recognition, may lead to a disruption no one saw coming.