CNBC Names XRP as ‘Hottest Crypto Trade’ of 2026 Amid Price Rally — Why Are Traders Split Over ‘Mainstream’ Push?

Key Takeaways

• CNBC’s labeling of XRP arsenic the “hottest crypto trade” of 2026 has amplified attraction connected the token.

• XRP has outperformed Bitcoin and Ethereum successful caller weeks.

• Technical indicators suggest country for further gains if momentum holds.

CNBC this week singled retired XRP arsenic the “hottest crypto trade” of 2026, highlighting a crisp rally that has pushed the token up of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) successful caller performance.

The endorsement has divided traders, with immoderate viewing the renewed mainstream attraction arsenic validation of further upside, portion others spot it arsenic a imaginable awesome that the rally whitethorn beryllium approaching a peak.

On air, CNBC emphasized that XRP’s caller gains person outpaced those of better-known integer assets, with 1 anchor stating that “the hottest crypto commercialized of the twelvemonth is not Bitcoin, it’s not Ethereum — it’s XRP.”

The web noted that XRP has climbed much than 20% successful caller weeks, overtaking Binance’s BNB token to go the third-largest cryptocurrency by marketplace capitalization.

Despite broader weakness crossed parts of the crypto market, commentators described XRP arsenic a “quiet outperformer” that has continued to pull superior adjacent during caller pullbacks.

CNBC anchors pointed to XRP’s absorption connected cross-border payments arsenic a cardinal operator of capitalist interest.

The conception cited 3 factors supporting the rally:

• The solution of Ripple’s long-running ineligible conflict with U.S. regulators.

• Reduced crowding compared with Bitcoin and Ethereum trades.

• Sustained inflows into XRP-focused funds.

Still, immoderate panelists questioned whether adoption by banks and planetary outgo networks is advancing rapidly capable to warrant existent prices.

“I similar the communicative connected XRP, but I’m questioning the timing,” 1 contributor said during the broadcast.

Reaction among traders connected societal media has been mixed, reflecting some optimism and caution pursuing the high-profile coverage.

“XRP hype again, but we each cognize however that turned retired past clip lol,” 1 trader wrote connected X.

From 2017 to aboriginal 2018, XRP surged from fractions of a cent to astir $3.40, driven by dense promotion arsenic a bank-friendly cryptocurrency that could “replace SWIFT.”

That rally aboriginal collapsed amid regulatory and ineligible challenges, and XRP subsequently spent years trading 80–90% beneath its peak.

“CNBC calling thing blistery is usually the awesome to commencement watching exits,” different trader wrote.