CNBC Calls XRP the Hottest Crypto Trade of 2026 Amid Strong January Rally

CNBC has simply labeled XRP (XRP) as the hottest crypto commerce of the 12 months, as robust value efficiency pushes the token again into the highlight.

The altcoin has began 2026 on a robust notice, posting the second-largest features amongst the prime 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

XRP Outperforms Large-Cap Peers in Early 2026

BeInCrypto Markets information confirmed that since the starting of January 2026, XRP’s worth has appreciated by 24%, considerably outperforming Bitcoin’s (BTC) 5.5% achieve and Ethereum’s (ETH) 9.7% return.

XRP’s advance locations it amongst the strongest performers in the large-cap phase, second only to Dogecoin (DOGE). The meme coin is up 28.6% and at the moment leads the prime 20 by year-to-date returns.

The rally has additionally allowed XRP to overhaul BNB, establishing itself as the fourth-largest digital asset by market capitalization. Still, the move has not been linear.

The broader crypto market skilled a modest correction at this time, pushed by profit-taking after practically every week of sustained features. As a end result, XRP additionally noticed a pullback. At the time of writing, XRP was buying and selling at $2.28. This represented a decline of 2.47% over the previous 24 hours.

CNBC Highlights XRP as the “New Cryptocurrency Darling” of 2026

Despite the short-term correction, XRP’s broader rally has not gone unnoticed. CNBC famous that XRP has quietly turn into the breakout commerce of crypto’s 2026 rally, even referring to it as the “new cryptocurrency darling.”

“The hottest crypto commerce of the 12 months just isn’t Bitcoin, it isn’t Ether, it’s XRP,” CNBC’s Power Lunch host Brian Sullivan stated.

CNBC host Mackenzie Sigalos defined that XRP drew traders throughout a interval when broader curiosity in most main cryptocurrencies was subdued, and that finally paid off. During the weak market situations in the fourth quarter, many traders added exposure to XRP ETFs.

This stood out because with spot Bitcoin and Ether ETFs, traders often observe value momentum. With XRP, the habits was the reverse.

“But it was the proven fact that it’s a technique to have a better share leap. So folks have been shopping for the dip with XRP in This autumn, pondering it is a much less crowded commerce than Bitcoin or Ether. And then that proved out to be true. Just in the first six buying and selling days of January,” Sigalos remarked.

BeInCrypto not too long ago reported that XRP ETFs have recorded uninterrupted inflows since their launch. Data from SoSoWorth exhibits that cumulative inflows into XRP spot ETFs have reached $1.25 billion. The merchandise pulled in $19.12 million in internet inflows on January 6.

Analyst Chad Steingraber projected that continued ETF inflows may lead to as a lot as 4.8 billion XRP being absorbed by ETFs by 2026, primarily based on assumed each day purchases of 20 million XRP.

“What occurs when the XRP ETFs are taking 20 Million XRP per day from the market?….20 Million XRP Per Day x5 – 100 Million XRP Per Trading Week. 100 Million XRP Per Week x4 – 400 Million XRP Per Trading Month. 400 Million XRP Per Month x12 – 4.8Billion XRP in 2026” Steingraber wrote.

If such sustained accumulation have been to materialize, it may considerably scale back obtainable market provide. This may doubtlessly exert upward stress on XRP’s value, relying on broader demand and market situations. Besides ETFs, Sigalos instructed that XRP’s long-standing function in cross-border funds has strengthened its narrative.

However, analyst Dom argued that XRP’s value surge just isn’t pushed by strong buying demand, however by different components. Specifically, very skinny ask liquidity (sell-side liquidity) has created situations for costs to rise.

“This was not pushed by aggressive market shopping for. Most exchanges are internet damaging on taker quantity, which exhibits the distinction between actual demand and distinctive orderbook dynamics,” he said. “I’ll be protecting shut eyes as this sort of progress just isn’t excellent except bids begin chasing and supporting.”

While XRP’s robust begin to 2026 and sustained ETF inflows have bolstered its breakout narrative, analysts stay divided on the sustainability of the rally. Whether the present uptrend can proceed stays to be seen.

The put up CNBC Calls XRP the Hottest Crypto Trade of 2026 Amid Strong January Rally appeared first on BeInCrypto.