Ripple’s XRP has outperformed Ethereum (ETH) for six consecutive months, marking its longest-ever winning streak against the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap. The sustained run—driven by legal clarity, strategic developments, and Ethereum’s faltering fundamentals—has investors wondering: can XRP keep this lead?
Six Months of Dominance
The winning streak began in November 2024, with XRP surging 160.4% relative to ETH. Since then, the gains have continued:
December: +18.5%
January: +47.3%
February: +4.3%
March: +19.6%
April: +14.3%
Cumulatively, XRP has gained over 264% against ETH during this six-month period—an unprecedented stretch in the history of the XRP/ETH pair.
Historically, XRP has rarely outpaced Ethereum for more than two consecutive months, making this run not only exceptional but potentially indicative of a broader market shift.
Breaking an 8-Year Resistance
Crypto analyst Dom (@traderview2) noted that XRP recently broke through a long-term resistance level on the XRP/ETH chart, located in the 0.00022–0.00025 ETH range. This level has been significant for more than eight years, serving as a ceiling during prior XRP rallies in 2017 and 2018.
“When XRP flips this range into support, it historically begins its true acceleration,” Dom explained.
If history repeats, this breakout could mean XRP’s outperformance is not just a blip, but the start of a larger trend reversal between the two assets.
XRP Catalysts: Legal Clarity and Strategic Moves
Several factors are fueling XRP’s momentum:
U.S. Strategic Reserve Inclusion: XRP was recently reported as being included in the U.S. strategic digital asset reserve.
SEC Lawsuit Resolution in Sight: Market chatter suggests the long-standing legal battle between Ripple and the SEC could soon reach a conclusion.
XRP ETF Hype: According to Polymarket, there’s a 77% chance of a spot XRP ETF approval in 2025, which could significantly boost demand.
These developments have helped reframe XRP as a serious contender in institutional finance—especially with Ripple positioning itself as a faster, more efficient alternative to SWIFT.
Ethereum’s Struggles
In contrast, Ethereum is facing challenges that have dented investor sentiment:
Protocol Upgrades (Pectra & Fusaka): Binance Research suggests these upgrades may weaken Ethereum’s revenue model, as they primarily benefit Layer-2 solutions, not ETH holders directly.
Declining Metrics:
TVL (Total Value Locked): Down from $70B in January to $46B now.
Monthly Revenue: Collapsed from $109M to just $7.2M.
ETF Outflows: Continued outflows from ETH-linked ETFs have further pressured prices.
Technical Setup: ETH is currently stuck in a multi-year trading range, hovering near the midpoint. A drop below support could send it spiraling toward sub-$1,000 levels.
Final Thoughts
XRP’s sustained dominance over Ethereum represents a potential changing of the guard in the altcoin space. With legal clarity improving, bullish momentum on the charts, and Ethereum’s fundamentals weakening, XRP is clearly benefiting from a wave of renewed investor confidence.
However, crypto markets are notoriously volatile. Can XRP continue this streak for a seventh month and beyond? If historical breakouts, ETF approvals, and legal resolutions align, the answer might just be yes.
