The Gemini crypto exchange app has pulled ahead of Coinbase in the U.S. finance app rankings, thanks to a bold new move the launch of an XRP-branded credit card in partnership with Ripple Labs and Mastercard.
Gemini Climbs the Charts
According to data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, Gemini’s app now sits at 11th place in the U.S. finance category. Coinbase, by comparison, has slipped to 26th place.
The surge is especially notable given Gemini’s position just two weeks ago, when it ranked a distant 158th while Coinbase stood at 24th. Co-founder Tyler Winklevoss even celebrated the reversal on X, calling it “the flippening.”
Powered by Ripple and Mastercard
The key driver behind Gemini’s rise is its newly launched XRP rewards credit card. This metal-backed card offers users up to 4% cashback in XRP on gas purchases, plus a $200 XRP bonus for spending $3,000 in the first 90 days.
While Gemini has offered crypto credit cards before, the choice to release an XRP-specific edition appears to be a strategic play to attract Ripple’s vocal and loyal fan base widely known as the “XRP Army.”
For Ripple, the collaboration also expands adoption of its RLUSD stablecoin, introduced late last year. Cardholders can interact with RLUSD directly without conversion fees, making it a seamless bridge between everyday spending and the crypto economy.
Coinbase Still Leads in Trading Volume
Despite Gemini’s App Store success, Coinbase continues to dominate in terms of raw trading activity.
Data from CoinGecko shows Coinbase handling a 24-hour trading volume of $4.54 billion, while Gemini managed just $382.49 million over the same period.
Expanding Global Footprint
Still, Gemini has been busy building momentum elsewhere. On August 22, the exchange secured a coveted MiCA license, granting it permission to operate across all 27 European Union member states and parts of the European Economic Area.
In addition, Gemini has filed to go public on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol GEMI a major step toward cementing its place as a global exchange.
Outlook
Gemini’s app store surge shows the power of combining crypto finance with mainstream products like credit cards. While it still trails Coinbase in trading volume, Gemini’s XRP partnership and expansion into Europe highlight its ambitions to capture new markets and perhaps close the gap with its biggest rival.
