XRP and Ethereum (ETH) both had incredible runs in 2025. While the market has faced a substantial dip over the last few months, both assets hit new all-time highs 2025. XRP and ETH also have several spot ETFs to their name, making them worthy contenders. Many anticipate XRP to eventually dethrone ETH as the second-largest crypto project by market cap. However, let’s look at two reasons why XRP may not overtake Ethereum (ETH) for the second position.
Why XRP Cannot Overtake Ethereum
Firstly, Ethereum (ETH) has a lot more adoption than XRP. XRP began its upward momentum in late 2024 and through most of 2025. The asset struggled to gain momentum before than due to the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple. However, the lawsuit settlement has brought substantial investors to XRP. Despite its upswing from late 2024, adoption for XRP is significantly lower than Ethereum (ETH). Adoption is key for an asset’s price, especially in the crypto sector. Lower adoption is a substantial barrier for XRP to overtake Ethereum (ETH).
Secondly, the Ethereum (ETH) network has a lot more use cases than the XRP Ledger. Many other crypto projects are based on the Ethereum network. The Ethereum network is not only home to most crypto projects, but has also seen the development of several Web3 applications. The XRP Ledger, on the other hand, is more catered for cross-border transactions, rather than application-building. This single factor could prevent XRP from ever overtaking Ethereum (ETH) to become the second-largest crypto project by market cap.
Also Read: XRP Long-Term Price Prediction: Can It Hit $20 In 2036?
However, there is always a possibility that XRP will see a surge in adoption over the coming years. The project has seen substantial developments in cross-border remittance infrastructure. Many firms and countries have adopted Ripple’s technology for international transactions. This could lead to a massive surge in confidence for XRP, leading to a significant rise in the project’s market cap.
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