XRP Overtakes BNB to Become the 4th-Largest Crypto in 2026 Market Shakeup
Market cap rankings just got a major reshuffle. XRP has surged past BNB, claiming the number four spot in the global cryptocurrency hierarchy. This isn't just a minor fluctuation—it's a power shift that's sending ripples across exchanges and portfolios.
The Climb to Fourth
Forget gradual gains. This move was a decisive vault over a established contender. While other assets churn, XRP's ascent highlights a stark divergence in investor confidence and utility perception. The trading floors are buzzing with the implications.
What Drove the Rally?
Speculation points to a confluence of factors: regulatory clarity acting as a catalyst, institutional pipelines opening, and perhaps a collective market sigh that this asset was overdue for a re-rate. It's the classic finance story—narrative and momentum converging to rewrite the leaderboard. Sometimes the market decides it's simply time for a change, logic be damned.
The New Crypto Hierarchy
The top three now have a new neighbor. This reshuffling proves that in crypto, dominance is never a permanent fixture. Today's giant can be tomorrow's also-ran, a reality that keeps every project—and trader—on their toes. It's a beautiful, brutal reminder that no coin rests on its laurels for long.
One cynical finance jab? It's almost poetic—watching digital assets jockey for position like Wall Street banks, just with more volatility and slightly better technology. The game remains the same; only the tokens have changed. XRP's leap is a win for its holders and a stark warning to every project in the top ten: your seat is never truly safe.
XRP has surged past BNB to become the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, reaching approximately $123 billion after an 8% price jump to $2.02-$2.03 in the last 24 hours. This positions XRP behind Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether, driven by a 177% spike in trading volume to $3.8 billion and ongoing inflows into US spot XRP ETFs. BNB, now at fifth with $121 billion and prices around $848-$860, reflects broader altcoin momentum as Bitcoin exceeds $90,000. Ripple’s cross-border payment utility continues fueling investor interest amid rising market adoption.