Ripple’s Business Plan May Position XRP to Match Its All-Time Peak

TLDR

• XRP trades around $1.80–$1.88, far below its $3.84 all-time high.
• Ripple’s centralized strategy gives it an advantage over peers.
• Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin reached $1B market cap by Nov 2025.
• Ripple partners with Mastercard and BNY Mellon for RLUSD rollout.

XRP is once again gaining investor attention after crypto analyst Santiago R Santos shared an optimistic long-term outlook. In a recent discussion, he said Ripple’s structured business model gives it a better chance than Ethereum to revisit its previous peak.

XRP is currently trading between $1.80 and $1.88, with a fully diluted valuation of about $188 billion. Its record high of $3.84 was reached in January 2018, meaning a rise of over 100% would be needed to reclaim that level.

Santos argued that while market conditions could remain challenging through 2026, Ripple’s approach allows it to stay resilient and continue executing even when others struggle.

Ripple’s Execution Strength in a Tough Market

According to Santos, Ripple stands apart because it continues to deliver in adverse conditions. He said, “I think Ripple has a higher probability than pretty much any other crypto network in the top 10 to, if everything goes down, actually have a higher probability to reach that all-time high.”

He contrasted this with Ethereum, noting, “I’m very bearish Ethereum reaching it all, going back to its all-time high.” His comments reflected a broader view that centralized coordination may help a company survive downturns more effectively than decentralized systems alone.

Centralized Product Strategy Gives Ripple an Edge

Santos emphasized that Ripple’s success stems from a structured product strategy. “Decentralized product strategy in BD does not work. Decentralized security but centralized product decision-making is the way to win. Ethereum does not have that,” he said.

He also questioned Ethereum’s valuation compared to Ripple’s, arguing that the market cap of Ethereum does not align with its current real-world use cases. By contrast, Ripple’s valuation leaves room for expansion, especially when compared with established financial firms such as Visa, which is valued at roughly $600 billion.

XRP’s Utility Through Acquisitions and RLUSD Expansion

Ripple’s ability to use XRP for acquisitions and product distribution is another reason behind the positive forecast. Santos noted that the company can deploy its currency strategically to grow and acquire new businesses. He said, “Ripple has more breathing room to use its currency to buy real businesses, to build distribution and a product, and has more time to figure this out.”

Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has been central to this expansion. The token completed its operational rollout in 2025 and achieved a market capitalization exceeding $1 billion by November. BNY Mellon serves as the custodian for its reserves, and Ripple has secured listings for RLUSD on multiple major exchanges.

 Partnerships with fintech firms like Yellow Card, VALR, and Chipper Cash have expanded its reach across Africa, while pilots with Mastercard and WebBank aim to integrate RLUSD into traditional payment systems.

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