XRP Named The ‘New Cryptocurrency Darling’ After Strong Start Of The Year

CNBC anchors are calling XRP the breakout trade of 2026 after its impressive early-year performance, labeling it a silent outperformer. Brian Sullivan highlighted XRP's strong start, calling it the "new cryptocurrency darling" and surpassing Bitcoin and Ether. XRP has surged over 30% from its yearly opening, reaching a two-month high of $2.41. It has even reclaimed its position as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, surpassing BNB again. MacKenzie Sigalos noted XRP's consistent performance, exploring its potential as a leading cryptocurrency in the market. She cited the resolution of Ripple's SEC fight, making it a less crowded trade, and sustained fund inflows as key drivers. XRP funds have seen consistent inflows since their launch in Q4 2025, recording a total of $1.25 billion in net inflows. These funds experienced strong performance, with $78.81 million in inflows during the first three trading days of the year. The appeal of XRP lies in its potential role in cross-border payments. Currently, XRP is trading at $2.19, reflecting a 20% increase over the past week.