This remarkable rally has not only cemented XRP as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization but has also sparked significant attention, surpassing Bitcoin in global Google search trends.

A Historic Milestone: XRP Hits $3

XRP has also risen by over 47% since the start of 2025, breaking the $3 mark before settling at $3.10. The cryptocurrency surged about 35% in the last week, showcasing how robust XRP is amid a turbulent crypto market. Analysts attributed the gain to several factors: bullish sentiment related to the Ripple case, institutional accumulation, and speculation about changes in regulatory attitude by the incoming administration.

Ripple’s XRP chart reflects rising demand that could lead its price to an all-time high. Source: Mn_Mansha/TradingView

That price puts XRP 12.9% below its all-time high of $3.40 reached in January 2018. Adjusted for inflation, the token would have to surpass $4.24 to reach an all-time high, according to Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy Digital.

XRP Overtakes Bitcoin in Search Interest

According to data from Google Trends, searches for XRP have outranked Bitcoin today, January 15, and marks the third time in the past year that XRP has led global search volume. This interest frenzy reflects increasing investor confidence in the cryptocurrency, as it extends the lead over flagship cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum for the fifth successive week.

XRP vs. BTC: Google search trends over time. Source: Google Trends

Another reason is the growing ecosystem of Ripple. The recent unveiling of the RLUSD stablecoin by the company and the possible green light for a spot XRP exchange-traded fund created a lot of optimism. Even Ripple President Monica Long mentioned a friendly regulatory regime to come from the new administration, which also flushed in some optimism.

Institutional Support and Spot Trading Momentum

XRP’s recent rally has been largely driven by spot market activity, distinguishing it from Bitcoin and Ethereum, where derivatives often play a more significant role. Analytics firm Santiment reported that addresses holding 1 million to 10 million XRP have accumulated over 1.4 billion tokens, worth nearly $3.8 billion, since November. This steady accumulation by large investors has provided a strong foundation for XRP’s price surge.

Order flow analyst Dom highlighted that XRP’s rise was fueled by strong spot trading demand, with minimal changes in funding rates and buy premiums. “If I saw this with Bitcoin, I would simply say we are going much higher,” Dom remarked, emphasizing the bullish potential for XRP.

Can XRP Break Its All-Time High?

From a technical perspective, XRP recently broke out of a bullish flag pattern, signaling further upside potential. Its relative strength index (RSI) remains near 72, indicating room for additional growth. The token is also trading well above its 50-day exponential moving average of $2.20, which continues to act as a key support level.

Ripple (XRP) price chart. Source:XRP Liquid Index (XRPLX) via Brave new Coin

Analysts now eye the $4 mark as the next major milestone, with some predicting a rally to $6 if current momentum persists. The broader market recovery, coupled with XRP’s strong technical indicators, suggests a promising outlook.

XRP’s resurgence to $3 marks a significant moment for the cryptocurrency, driven by a combination of legal victories, institutional backing, and positive market fundamentals. As XRP garners more attention and interest, the question remains: can it sustain this momentum and break new records in 2025?

As I write, news is breaking that President Trump is preparing to announce plans for an America First Crypto Strategic Reserve. The fund would consist of American-based crypto assets such as Solana, USDC, and Ripple’s XRP coin. The news is even more bullish for XRP.