XRP is gaining renewed attention as prominent crypto analyst Santiago R Santos expressed a bullish long-term perspective on Ripple and its native token. In a recent discussion, Santos highlighted his belief that XRP has a stronger chance of reaching its all-time high than Ethereum, especially if the crypto markets face a downturn.
When posed the question of whether XRP or Ripple’s equity would hold more potential over the next decade, Santos broadened the discussion to emphasize the bigger picture. He predicted that 2026 could pose significant challenges for both crypto and equity markets, yet noted that Ripple may still emerge favorably.
At the time of Santos’s commentary, XRP was priced between $1.80 and $1.88, translating to a fully diluted market valuation of around $188 billion. Despite its current performance, XRP remains significantly below its all-time high of $3.84, achieved in January 2018. For XRP to regain that peak, it would require a price increase of over 100%.
Santos elaborated on why Ripple stands out amidst leading crypto networks, citing its resilience in challenging market conditions. He stated, “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.” This standpoint sharply contrasted with his view on Ethereum, which he described as bearish regarding its potential to return to previous highs.
A key factor in Ripple’s advantage, according to Santos, is its centralized product strategy. He argued that decentralized product decision-making often falters whereas centralized decision-making, combined with decentralized security, could lead to success. Santos expressed skepticism about Ethereum’s valuation, suggesting that its market cap does not accurately reflect its real-world utility. He compared Ripple’s valuation to established financial entities—pointing out that Visa stands at around $600 billion, while Ripple’s lower valuation suggests substantial room for growth.
Santos’s optimism is also tied to Ripple’s strategic use of XRP. He contended that Ripple possesses greater flexibility compared to many other crypto projects, allowing for capital deployment, business acquisitions, and distribution expansion. “I think Ripple has more breathing room to use its currency to buy real businesses, to build distribution and a product,” he noted, contrasting it with other projects that may not have the same luxury as market patience wanes.
Despite the multiple factors buoying Santos’s outlook, he encouraged individual investors to conduct their own research before making financial decisions, underscoring a comprehensive evaluation of market conditions.
