XRP Leaves Solana Behind as Helius CEO Admits Tech Gap

XRP has taken center stage once again, drawing even reluctant praise from rival blockchain advocates like the CEO of Helius Labs. As institutional support grows and market performance strengthens, XRP is cementing its position ahead of competitors such as Solana.

In a surprising twist, Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius Labs and a former Coinbase employee known for his strong allegiance to Solana, tweeted this week that Solana can no longer compete with XRP. Without offering further context, he somberly stated “it’s over” for Solana — acknowledging that Solana lacks the technological prowess to match Ripple’s native cryptocurrency.

This admission sparked debate in the crypto community, especially given Mumtaz’s history of trolling and sarcasm. But whether the statement was a genuine pivot or strategic provocation, it highlights the rising momentum behind XRP in 2025.

XRP Surging While Solana Falters

XRP, the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, continues to outperform major altcoins during a turbulent year for digital assets. Among top coins, only XRP, Bitcoin, and Tron have delivered positive returns this year. Currently, XRP is up 4.82% year-to-date. By contrast, Solana has dropped 20.4%, and Ethereum trails with a 26% decline.

In December, XRP overtook Solana, reclaiming its position as the fourth-ranked crypto by market capitalization — a title it has firmly held since. Meanwhile, Solana slipped to sixth place, overtaken by BNB. The price of XRP surged from $0.50 in November to end the year at $2.08, and continued its upward trend by climbing 45% to a high of $3.40 earlier this year. Solana, although reaching a peak of $295 in January with a 22% rally, still lags in comparison.

On a 12-month basis, XRP boasts an impressive 361% gain, while Solana has appreciated by just 150%.

XRP Technology: Scaling Borderless Payments

The underlying value of XRP lies in its role within the XRP Ledger — a purpose-built blockchain designed for fast, cost-effective cross-border payments. Ripple, a key contributor to the ledger, uses XRP as the foundational asset for its international settlement infrastructure targeting banks and financial institutions.

Solana, on the other hand, is aimed at high-speed application development and is often touted for its blazing throughput and low cost. Its ecosystem focuses more on transactional scalability — whether for decentralized finance or retail interactions.

Although their goals differ, some experts argue that these networks can coexist and even complement each other. Still, in 2025’s narratives, XRP’s institutional adoption and utility in treasury holdings have bolstered its appeal and outshone Solana’s innovations.

ETFs and Institutional Momentum

One area where both XRP and Solana are gaining traction is in the ETF space. Analysts anticipate the launch of a U.S.-listed spot ETF for Solana possibly arriving before XRP’s. Jason Yanowitz, co-founder of Blockworks, mentioned in a report that a top-five global bank is preparing for this rollout. However, expectations for XRP’s own ETF listing remain high and could spark a market surge upon introduction.

XRP’s Bullish Sentiment and Future Outlook

Despite its leading position, many in the crypto community believe XRP’s best days are still ahead. Influencer Dustin Layton recently projected that holding just 1,000 XRP could generate a minimum of $50,000 in profit by the end of the year. This reflects a growing belief in XRP potentially reaching $50 or more per token.

Some voices are taking their predictions even further. A former NEAR Protocol developer recently weighed in on the bold aspiration for XRP to hit five-figure territory. He compared this sentiment to a “religious belief” in the idea of XRP reaching $10,000 — an outlook that reflects the ongoing optimism surrounding its potential.

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

Whether these projections come to fruition or not, one thing is certain: XRP’s trajectory has not only remained bullish but is increasingly convincing skeptics and competitors alike of its staying power.