CNBC Predicts XRP Will Outpace Bitcoin and Ether to Lead the rypto Market in 2026

Forget the old guard. The crypto narrative is flipping.

The Market's New Alpha

While Bitcoin and Ethereum continue to dominate headlines, a different contender is quietly building momentum. Analysts are now pointing to a shift in the underlying architecture of value transfer—one that prioritizes utility and institutional adoption over pure speculative store-of-value.

Speed, Cost, and Clarity: The Trifecta

The race isn't just about brand recognition anymore. Settlement times measured in seconds, transaction costs that are fractions of a cent, and a regulatory landscape that's moving from murky to defined are becoming the real benchmarks. Networks built for actual use, not just HODLing, are finding their moment.

A Nod from the Suits

Wall Street's gradual, often cynical, embrace of blockchain tech has a new favorite. It's the one that talks their language: compliance, interoperability with legacy systems, and solving real cross-border payment inefficiencies. The same old 'number go up' thesis is getting a pragmatic makeover.

The 2026 Crystal Ball

Projections for the next cycle are focusing on assets with proven, scalable utility. The narrative is evolving from digital gold to digital rails. The winner might just be the protocol that powers the movement of everything else—a bet on the plumbing, not just the vault. After all, in finance, the real money has always been in collecting the tolls, not just mining the gold.

TLDR

• CNBC has identified XRP as the breakout crypto trade of 2026 due to its strong market performance.
• XRP surged over 20% in one week and surpassed BNB to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market value.
• Ripple’s legal battle with the SEC officially ended on August 2 which removed major regulatory uncertainty around XRP.
• CNBC’s MacKenzie Sigalos explained that XRP is designed for cross-border payments and acts as a bridge currency.
• Investors continued to add to XRP funds even during a market dip while Bitcoin ETF inflows declined.

CNBC has called XRP the standout crypto trade of 2026, highlighting its sharp rise in value and increasing investor attention, as the Ripple-backed asset jumped over 20% in a week, surpassed BNB, and became the third-largest cryptocurrency by market value.

XRP Sees Strong Inflows and Steady Growth

During CNBC’s post-market segment, correspondent MacKenzie Sigalos said XRP had been quietly outperforming for months, even during market drops. She stated, “Even on days when the crypto market was crashing, XRP held steady and showed resilience.” This performance contributed to a steady build-up in institutional flows over time.

Sigalos emphasized that XRP’s use case is centered on cross-border payments, positioning it differently from Bitcoin and stablecoins. According to her, Ripple designed XRP to act as a bridge asset for global settlement. That distinction supports growing investor interest, especially following legal clarity.

She explained, “The regulatory overhang has finally cleared as Ripple wrapped up its SEC fight on August 2nd.” That resolution removed uncertainty, allowing more institutions to move into XRP-related products. Sigalos pointed out that even during Q4 outflows in bitcoin ETFs, XRP fund flows remained strong.

Bitcoin Slips as Investors Seek Alternatives

The CNBC segment also addressed declines in Bitcoin and Ether, linking them to pressure from digital asset treasury firms. The panel said potential forced selling could weigh further on those assets in coming months. As a result, market participants have begun rotating into lower-profile assets.

Sigalos said the appeal of XRP lies in its relative underexposure compared to Bitcoin and Ether. “It’s a less crowded trade,” she added, noting the comparative upside potential. XRP’s lower base gives traders more room to capture upside during crypto rebounds.

CNBC hosts raised questions about how MSCI’s upcoming index decision could trigger more volatility across crypto assets. Sigalos mentioned this decision, expected in nine days, may affect institutional holdings tied to index rules. She suggested that XRP and solana remain less affected due to lighter index weighting.

Solana Gains Momentum on Tokenization Focus

Sigalos also discussed Solana’s rising profile, especially its role in tokenizing assets beyond traditional stablecoins. She cited interest in money market fund tokenization as a key growth factor for Solana. That narrative places Solana alongside XRP as top altcoins in current investor focus.

The CNBC segment referred to Morgan Stanley’s new ETF filings for both Bitcoin and Solana. Sigalos said the bank’s MOVE shows broadening demand for crypto exposure. She also noted that Morgan Stanley was the first to let advisors suggest spot Bitcoin ETFs.

Solana’s low fees and high speed continue attracting developers and institutions. Compared to Ethereum, Solana handles tokenized assets with fewer delays and lower transaction costs. Sigalos said this trend supports increasing diversification away from older blockchain networks.

She added, “Solana is a lot more cost‑effective than moving money over the ethereum blockchain at certain times.” Panelists discussed how users are gravitating toward chains with faster settlement and cheaper transfers. This pattern shapes current trading activity and investor decisions across altcoins.

As part of the broader shift, platforms like Coinbase now support zero-fee stablecoin transfers on its Base network. Sigalos said, “The idea that cost and speed is going to be the defining factor is gaining ground.” The CNBC panel also mentioned TRON among fast options offering alternate pricing.

Finally, she referred to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong’s expansion plans beyond exchange services. Sigalos said Armstrong’s vision and Goldman Sachs’ upgrade support Coinbase’s strong market performance. Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev’s comments on tokenized equities also signal growing momentum for asset tokenization.