Recent changes in the crypto market are drawing increasing attention to the potential rivalry between Ripple and Ethereum. With XRP's market capitalization increasing and ETH's numbers declining, the question arises: can XRP become the leading altcoin?
XRP Surpasses ETH in Market Capitalization
As of April 18, 2025, XRP's fully diluted market capitalization hit $208.4 billion, surpassing Ethereum's $192.5 billion. However, this information requires deeper analysis, as XRP's capitalisation is influenced by tokens still held in escrow, while most of ETH's supply is already in circulation.
> "This milestone is symbolic, but it does reflect shifting sentiment," said crypto strategist Eleanor Voss.
Ethereum Maintains Leadership in Smart Contracts
Despite the growing interest in XRP, Ethereum remains the foundation for decentralized applications and finance. Ethereum hosts over 70% of the total value locked (TVL) in DeFi, and its shift to a proof-of-stake model has significantly reduced energy consumption.
> "Ethereum remains the backbone of decentralized applications," stated Andre Mackie, a developer at DappForce Labs.
XRP Gains Support from Legal Wins
XRP has carved out strong positions in institutional finance and cross-border payments following Ripple Labs' partial victory against the SEC in 2023. Ripple's technology has been adopted by banks and financial institutions, enhancing XRP's reputation as a utility-first asset. While Ethereum remains under legal scrutiny, XRP is appealing due to its real-world applications.
The analysis indicates that while XRP's market capitalization is increasing, Ethereum retains its key positions in the DeFi and smart contract landscape. Future predictions show that both cryptocurrencies have potential for coexistence, offering unique values in their respective fields.
