XRP Flips BNB As Fourth-Largest Cryptocurrency After Sharp 8% Gain
XRP just pulled a classic crypto power move—leapfrogging BNB to claim the number four spot by market cap. That 8% surge wasn't just a blip; it was a statement.
Market Cap Shuffle
Forget gradual climbs. XRP's rally cut through the rankings, bypassing Binance's native token in a single session. The move highlights how quickly fortunes can flip when momentum hits.
The Fuel Behind the Fire
No new data? No problem. The market's reacting to pure narrative and positioning. Sometimes a chart just decides to go vertical, leaving fundamental analysts scrambling for reasons that don't exist.
What This Flip Really Means
It's a reminder that in crypto, yesterday's hierarchy is tomorrow's trivia. Dominance isn't given—it's taken, often while traditional finance is still drafting its risk assessment report. One good day can reshuffle the entire leaderboard, proving yet again that in this arena, agility beats legacy every time.
TLDR
- XRP surged 8% in 24 hours to reach $2 and overtake BNB in market capitalization
- XRP’s trading volume rose 175% to $3.8 billion in a single day
- XRP now ranks behind Bitcoin and Ethereum among non-stablecoin assets
- XRP spot ETFs in the US have seen $1.2 billion in capital inflows since launch
XRP has overtaken BNB to become the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, following a strong 8% price increase in just 24 hours. The asset is now valued at $2, with a reported market capitalization of approximately $123 million, based on data from CoinMarketCap.
XRP flips BNB to become the 3rd largest cryptocurrency in the world by market cap… pic.twitter.com/KG2LGlWoEu
— Mohsin Ali (@Mohsin_71) January 3, 2026
This change in rankings occurs amid a wider recovery across the digital asset market. While Bitcoin leads with a market cap of $1.8 trillion and ethereum holds second with $377 billion, XRP’s position further strengthens its visibility in the current crypto cycle. BNB now trails just behind, with a market value slightly above $120 million.
Market Activity and Price Movement
The price surge in XRP was accompanied by a sharp rise in trading volume, which increased by 175% in the same 24-hour period. The volume reached $3.8 billion, suggesting growing interest and liquidity.
Despite this upward momentum, XRP remains about 44% below its July 2025 peak of $3.60. This shows that while the token is rebounding, it has not yet returned to previous highs. Other major altcoins also saw price increases during this period, with Ethereum moving up 4% to $3,100, and Solana reaching $132.
BNB, meanwhile, was priced at $877 during the same period but could not maintain its lead over XRP in market rankings.
ETF Inflows Strengthen XRP Position
XRP’s market resurgence has been supported in part by the ongoing success of US spot XRP ETFs. Since their launch in late 2025, these funds have consistently attracted capital, recording daily inflows without interruption.
According to SoSoValue, total capital inflows into these ETFs have reached approximately $1.2 billion. The total assets under management in these funds are now valued at around $1.3 billion, reflecting continued investor interest despite broader market fluctuations.
These ETFs have provided a regulated way for institutional investors to gain exposure to XRP, contributing to both price stability and higher demand in recent months.
Crypto Market Shows New-Year Rebound
The XRP rally aligns with a broader rebound in the cryptocurrency market at the start of 2026. Bitcoin reclaimed the $90,000 level, while Ethereum and several other altcoins also posted daily gains.
This general uplift across the market has renewed investor confidence, encouraging more trading activity and capital inflows. While XRP’s 8% jump was one of the largest among major tokens, other assets also showed strength.
As the year begins, market participants are watching whether this positive trend can be sustained, especially with growing interest from ETF products and increasing trading volumes across major exchanges.
