XRP Surge Makes 2,400 Tokens Unaffordable for Most

XRP‘s meteoric rise in price is making it increasingly out of reach for everyday investors looking to buy in significant amounts. As Ripple’s native token posts one of the strongest performances this month, the barriers to accumulating a meaningful stash of XRP are starting to mount for the average wage earner.

The upward trend in the broader crypto market has seen major digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC) hitting fresh all-time highs above $123,000. While XRP hasn’t quite reached its own historical high, its recent gains have far surpassed Bitcoin’s on a percentage basis. So far this month, XRP has jumped by more than 54%, while Bitcoin has seen a relatively modest gain of just 9.41%.

This sharp increase places XRP at a trading value of $3.48, comfortably maintaining its position above the crucial psychological mark of $3. As highlighted in a recent analysis, XRP is currently experiencing its largest monthly surge of the year, a development that has heavily favored existing holders.

However, for people looking to enter the XRP market, especially with an aim toward long-term holdings, the situation is becoming considerably more difficult. According to the community-curated XRP Rich List, being in the top 10% of all XRP holders now requires owning at least 2,446 tokens. At today’s rate of $3.48 per XRP, that equates to just over $8,500.

For many people, especially in lower and middle-income brackets, an $8,500 investment is not easily attainable. Figures from a recent survey show that most Americans have less than $2,000 in their savings accounts. Only a quarter of those surveyed had $2,000 or more saved, while nearly 40% had under $500—or no savings at all.

Given those statistics, the vast majority of U.S.-based retail investors would not be able to purchase 2,446 XRP outright from their current savings. Attempting to build up capital through monthly savings isn’t much easier. With the average American earning around $5,500 per month and spending $4,641, the leftover discretionary income would make it necessary to save for almost ten months to afford that level of XRP investment.

Looking across the Atlantic, the situation appears even tougher for UK-based investors. The average income in the UK stands at around £2,800 per month, while average monthly expenses are approximately £2,600. This leaves minimal room to save, requiring over two years of consistent saving just to reach the equivalent of 2,446 XRP, which now costs around £6,309.

It’s important to note that this wasn’t the case just a year ago. Back in July 2024, XRP was trading at approximately $0.49. At that rate, purchasing 2,446 XRP would have required only about $1,200—an amount within reach for most average earners in both the U.S. and UK, representing just two or four months of savings respectively.

Even so, a number of industry experts argue that it’s still early in the game for XRP accumulation. According to them, it’s not too late to invest in XRP, even in smaller quantities. Their perspective is rooted in a long-term investment outlook, asserting that XRP’s future potential could make today’s minor holdings immensely valuable down the road.

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

As XRP cements its position in the market with ongoing bullish momentum, it continues to represent both a wealth-building opportunity and a financial hurdle for aspiring investors. While accessibility for large-scale accumulation may be slipping away for many retail participants, adopting a strategic, incremental investment approach could still offer a pathway into this maturing digital asset space.