In a surprising turn of events, Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius Labs and once considered a staunch advocate for Solana, has publicly acknowledged the technological edge of XRP over Solana. In a candid post on X (formerly Twitter), Mumtaz stated, “It’s over. We simply don’t have the technology.” This striking admission from a key figure in the Solana ecosystem has sent ripples across the crypto community, sparking renewed interest in XRP’s long-term potential.
The statement comes amid shifting market dynamics and growing institutional attention toward digital assets with real-world utility. As blockchain networks compete for dominance, performance metrics, use cases, and investor sentiment are becoming increasingly critical in determining long-term viability.
XRP Outperforms in Market Performance and Stability
Currently ranked as the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, XRP has demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in 2025. Year-to-date, XRP has gained 4.82%, while Solana has declined by 20% and Ethereum by 26%. This positions XRP as one of the few major cryptocurrencies posting positive returns during this volatile period.
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Notably, XRP surpassed Solana in market cap back in December 2024 and has maintained its lead since. Solana has since slipped further, now holding the sixth position, overtaken not only by XRP but also by BNB, which currently ranks fifth.
From a price perspective, XRP’s momentum is even more impressive. In November 2024, it was trading around $0.50**. By the end of December, it had surged to **$2.08, peaking at $3.40 in January 2025. Although the price has pulled back slightly since then, XRP remains 361% higher year-over-year—a stark contrast to Solana’s modest 7% gain over the same period.
This sustained outperformance reflects growing confidence in XRP’s underlying infrastructure and its alignment with institutional financial needs.
Core Use Cases: Payments vs. General-Purpose Blockchain
While both XRP and Solana are high-performance blockchains, their primary applications differ significantly:
- XRP is engineered for cross-border payments through Ripple’s financial settlement network. It enables near-instant, low-cost international transfers, making it a preferred solution for banks and payment providers.
- Solana, on the other hand, focuses on delivering high-speed, low-cost transactions for decentralized applications (dApps), DeFi platforms, and NFT marketplaces within a broader blockchain ecosystem.
Despite Solana’s technical achievements in scalability and throughput, its value proposition faces increasing scrutiny as real-world adoption remains limited compared to XRP’s growing integration with global financial institutions.
XRP’s design prioritizes efficiency, finality, and regulatory compliance—qualities that resonate strongly with traditional finance. With over 100 financial institutions already using RippleNet, the network benefits from established partnerships and operational track records that few other blockchains can match.
ETF Speculation Fuels Investor Optimism
One of the most significant catalysts driving XRP’s momentum is the growing likelihood of a U.S.-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) approval. Analysts believe that an XRP ETF could unlock massive institutional inflows, similar to what was observed with Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs.
Bloomberg Intelligence analysts have estimated the probability of an XRP ETF approval at 90% in 2025, citing increased regulatory clarity and stronger legal standing following Ripple’s ongoing litigation with the SEC. For Solana, the estimated approval chance stands at 95%, reflecting its popularity among retail investors and developers.
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However, unlike Solana, XRP’s case is bolstered by its clear utility in global payments and existing compliance frameworks—factors that may work in its favor during regulatory review.
Expert Price Targets Signal Strong Upside Potential
Market analysts are increasingly bullish on XRP’s long-term trajectory. One prominent analyst, Steph, recently projected a price target of $30 for XRP, citing historical price patterns and strong technical indicators. Based on current market structure and volume trends, such a move—while ambitious—is not outside the realm of possibility if institutional adoption accelerates.
This kind of sentiment is gaining traction among crypto strategists who see XRP not just as a speculative asset, but as a foundational piece of next-generation financial infrastructure.
Why XRP Could Lead the Next Rally
- Proven Real-World Utility: Unlike many speculative tokens, XRP is actively used in cross-border settlements across multiple countries.
- Regulatory Clarity: Ripple’s legal progress has reduced uncertainty around XRP’s classification as a security.
- Institutional Adoption: Banks and fintech firms continue to integrate RippleNet, increasing demand for XRP.
- Energy Efficiency: The XRP Ledger consumes minimal energy compared to proof-of-work chains, appealing to ESG-conscious investors.
- Speed and Scalability: With transaction finality in 3–5 seconds and support for 1,500+ TPS, XRP rivals even the fastest blockchains.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is XRP better than Solana technically?
A: It depends on the use case. For cross-border payments and financial settlements, XRP offers superior speed, cost-efficiency, and finality. Solana excels in supporting complex dApps and high-frequency trading but faces challenges with network stability during peak loads.
Q: Can XRP reach $30?
A: While $30 is an aggressive target, it’s not impossible under bullish conditions. Such a price would require sustained institutional investment, global adoption by payment processors, and successful ETF approval.
Q: Why did Helius’ CEO admit Solana is falling behind?
A: Mert Mumtaz likely recognized that despite Solana’s technical strengths, its ecosystem lacks the real-world financial integrations that XRP has built over a decade. His comment reflects a shift from hype to realism.
Q: Will an XRP ETF be approved in 2025?
A: Analysts estimate a 90% chance of approval, driven by Ripple’s legal progress and increasing demand for regulated crypto investment products.
Q: Is XRP a good long-term investment?
A: Given its utility, adoption by financial institutions, low volatility relative to peers, and strong fundamentals, many experts view XRP as a compelling long-term holding.
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Final Thoughts: Momentum Shifts Toward Utility
The crypto landscape is evolving rapidly. While innovation remains vital, networks that deliver tangible value are increasingly favored by investors and institutions alike. XRP’s rise over Solana in market performance underscores a broader trend: utility-driven assets are gaining ground over purely speculative ones.
With strong fundamentals, growing regulatory clarity, and rising expectations around ETF approval, XRP appears well-positioned for continued growth throughout 2025 and beyond.
As the lines between traditional finance and blockchain technology blur, assets like XRP—designed from the ground up for real-world application—may ultimately define the next era of digital value transfer.