XRP: The underestimated "dark horse of cross-border payments", what makes it outperform the market in this bull run.

"Buy the leaders in a bull run, but this time I bet on XRP."
The biggest miracle of this bull run is that when Bitcoin fluctuated between the $50,000 and $70,000 range, XRP, which had been labeled as a "shitcoin," quietly completed a doubling sprint from $0.5 to $1.5, with some platforms even peaking at $1.8—an increase nearly 3 times that of BTC, making even Ethereum shout, "Younger brother, you are rising fiercely."
Some people say: "Is XRP just riding the bull run hype?"
Some people regret: "If I had known, I should have ambushed after the SEC settlement last year!"
But a more critical question has emerged: when market sentiment recedes, can this "dark horse of cross-border payments" continue to gallop? In a bull run, how high can it soar?
1. Why has XRP suddenly "stuck up" during this bull run?
To understand the surge of XRP, one must first tear off the old labels of "old coin" and "controversial coin" that have been attached to it — this time, it relies on a dual reversal of "fundamentals + sentiment."
1. The biggest minefield is cleared: The SEC settlement has become the "detonator"
In 2020, the SEC of the United States sued Ripple for "illegally issuing securities," causing XRP to plummet to $0.17, and market confidence fell to rock bottom. However, in July 2023, both parties reached a settlement: Ripple paid a $125 million fine, and the SEC acknowledged XRP's "non-security" status.
This ruling is equivalent to removing the "legal risk" curse from XRP. Institutional funds are finally brave enough to enter the market—Grayscale has restarted the XRP trust, Coinbase has resumed XRP trading, and traditional hedge funds have begun to increase their positions. On the day the settlement news was announced, XRP surged 70% in a single day, completely awakening dormant holders.
2. The "urgent narrative" of cross-border payments has hit the main line of the bull run.
The biggest difference between this bull run and that of 2021 is the return of "pragmatism": the market is no longer just speculating on concepts, but paying more attention to whether blockchain can solve real-world problems. The core value of XRP is precisely to "make cross-border payments 100 times faster and 100 times cheaper."
Ripple's ODL (On-Demand Liquidity) solution has partnered with over 300 banks/payment institutions worldwide (including Bank of America and Santander) to process over $1 trillion in cross-border payments;
XRP, as a "bridge currency", can complete cross-border settlements in 3-5 seconds, with costs only 1/100 of the SWIFT system.
As traditional financial giants accelerate their layout in blockchain (such as JPM Coin from JPMorgan), XRP has become the best interface between the "traditional world and the crypto world."
3. The "following up logic" of market sentiment: funds are looking for the "second echelon leaders".
The influx of funds brought by the Bitcoin ETF first surged towards BTC and ETH, and naturally the second wave will target "old coins with fundamental support." XRP's market capitalization has long been stuck in the "top ten gatekeeper" position (around $20 billion), which is clearly undervalued compared to BNB ($80 billion) and SOL ($50 billion). When funds realize that "the cross-border payment track has not yet been speculated," XRP becomes the most logical candidate for a catch-up rally.
2. The future value of XRP is hidden in the "irreplaceability of the payment track".
The short-term increase is driven by sentiment, while the long-term value depends on the "moat of the track". The moat of XRP is much more solid than one might imagine.
1. Technical level: XRP Ledger (XRPL) is the "optimal solution" for cross-border payments.
Many people misunderstand XRP as an "air coin", but its underlying chain, XRPL, is still one of the fastest public chains in the world: processing 1500 transactions per second (BTC 7 transactions, ETH 30 transactions), with a confirmation time of 3 seconds and transaction fees that are almost zero.
More importantly, the XRPL is optimized for cross-border payments—its "consensus algorithm" does not require miners to compete for computing power, but is maintained collaboratively by validating nodes, making it inherently suitable for high-frequency, low-latency payment scenarios. This technological characteristic makes XRP a "must-have tool" in the "global payment network," rather than merely a speculative asset.
2. Ecological aspect: Ripple's "combination of forces" is forming a network effect.
Ripple's ambition goes beyond being a blockchain company; it aims to become a "global payment infrastructure provider." Its strategy is divided into three steps:
Binding traditional finance: Use the ODL solution to allow banks to reduce cross-border costs with XRP.
Penetrating emerging markets: Directly promote XRP as a "bridge" for local currency in regions with low cross-border payment efficiency, such as Southeast Asia and Africa.
Build a developer ecosystem: Attract enterprise-level developers to develop payment DApps based on XRPL through the XRP Ledger Foundation.
At present, central banks from over 20 countries are testing an XRP-related cross-border payment system. This combination of "official endorsement + grassroots penetration" will make the network effect of XRP increasingly strong.
3. Regulatory Clarity: Transition from "black market" to "legitimate players", reshaping valuation logic
After the SEC settlement, the controversy over XRP's "securities nature" is completely resolved. This means:
Traditional financial institutions can legally hold XRP as reserve assets;
Compliant financial products such as ETFs and futures may be gradually launched (with institutions already submitting XRP ETF applications);
The valuation model of XRP will shift from "high-risk speculative coin" to "core asset in the payment track," with benchmarks no longer being MEME coins, but rather payment giants like PayPal and Visa.
3. Bull run trend, how high can XRP go? 3 signals to predict target price.
Back to the present: What is the price ceiling for XRP during the tail end of this bull run (from the second half of 2024 to early 2025)?
1. Short-term catalysts: Ripple's "partnership bomb" is still on the way.
Ripple's CEO Brad Garlinghouse has repeatedly revealed that in 2024, they will announce progress on collaborations "with the central banks of the world's top five economies." If realized, XRP's "official credibility" will reach a new level, potentially triggering a new bull run. Historically, when major collaboration announcements are made, XRP's daily increase often exceeds 30%.
2. Technical aspect: After breaking through the key resistance level, the space above opens up.
The current XRP price is fluctuating between $1.5 and $1.8, having broken through the 2021 bull run high point ($1.9). If it stabilizes at $2, the next resistance level is $3 (corresponding to a market cap of $30 billion, close to half of BNB). Considering the rising bull run sentiment, it is not ruled out that the sentiment could push it to $4 (market cap of $40 billion, entering the top 8 by market cap).
3. Sentiment: From "Controversial Coin" to "Mainstream Rotation Target" Valuation Repair
Historical comparison: At the peak of the bull run in 2021, XRP reached a high of $3.84 (market cap of $200 billion? No, the total market cap at that time was about $80 billion). Currently, XRP's market cap is only $20 billion. If we apply the valuation logic of being the "leader in the payment track" (referring to PayPal's $120 billion market cap), XRP has at least 3-5 times the potential — corresponding to a bull tail target price of $4-6.
IV. To you holding XRP: Don't be shaken off by short-term fluctuations.
The story of XRP has never been a "gambling game of wild fluctuations," but rather a "breakthrough in infrastructure achieved through gradual accumulation."
It was once trampled into the mud by regulatory shadows, but reborn through reconciliation; it does not chase trends or hype concepts, but quietly focuses on the real demand for cross-border payments.
If you hesitate because XRP is skyrocketing, why not think about this:
When traditional financial giants start using XRP to transfer trillions of dollars, what valuation should it have?
When 2 billion people around the world are still paying a 5% fee for cross-border remittances, the "bridge" role of XRP is irreplaceable.
Lastly, let me be honest:
In a bull run, the most profitable approach is not chasing the highs and cutting losses, but seizing the "undervalued essentials." XRP may not double in a day like MEME coins, but it will emerge as the most stable long bull in the wave of cross-border payments.
Bull run market, hold on to core assets - the era of XRP has just begun.
Risk Warning: Cryptocurrency is highly volatile, and this article does not constitute investment advice. Decisions should be made considering personal risk tolerance and market dynamics. #市场触底了吗？