XRP surpasses BNB to become fourth largest cryptocurrency – Can it overtake Ethereum next?
April 18, 2026
XRP has once again surpassed BNB to reclaim the fourth spot in the global rankings of cryptocurrencies, with a market capitalization of approximately $91 billion. This marks a significant achievement for XRP, especially considering that the two assets have been trading places multiple times since March. Ethereum, currently holding the third spot, boasts a market cap of around $295 billion, meaning XRP would need to reach a price of approximately $4.79 per token to match Ethereum’s valuation.
The recent progress towards clearer U.S. regulation, primarily through the CLARITY Act, the increasing participation in ETFs, and the continued adoption of Ripple’s payment infrastructure, are key drivers that could potentially propel XRP to challenge Ethereum in the future. These factors have played a crucial role in shaping the landscape for XRP and could significantly impact its trajectory in the coming years.
XRP’s historic battle with BNB for the fourth spot has been an ongoing saga for the past few years. Although XRP briefly held the position in early 2025 and again in July of the same year, it experienced fluctuations in market cap and price due to market corrections. However, the situation changed in March when the SEC and CFTC provided clarity by classifying XRP as a digital commodity. This decision paved the way for institutions to hold and trade XRP under established frameworks, leading to a spike in XRP’s price and trading volume.
Looking ahead, the question arises whether XRP can close the gap with Ethereum and potentially challenge its position. The CLARITY Act, currently in the legislative process, could be a significant catalyst for XRP’s future price action. Additionally, the growing institutional adoption of XRP ETFs has the potential to attract significant capital inflows to XRP, similar to the trajectory seen with Bitcoin’s ETFs. Furthermore, Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) service, which facilitates quick cross-border payments using XRP as a bridge asset, could drive real-world demand for XRP and contribute to its market cap growth.
While achieving Ethereum’s current valuation of $295 billion may seem like a considerable milestone for XRP, reaching $4.79 per token, or a 219% increase from its current price of $1.50, is not an impossible feat. However, it would require a combination of favorable conditions, including the successful passage of the CLARITY Act, significant ETF inflows, and Ethereum trading below its previous highs. Realistically, in 2026, a target range of $3.00-$4.00 for XRP seems more achievable, representing a significant milestone in its journey towards potentially challenging Ethereum’s position.
