Unseating coin XRP from its position
In the dynamic world of cryptocurrencies, XRP, a leading altcoin, has long held a dominant market position. With a market cap of approximately $196 billion and trading near $2.95–$3.23, XRP remains a giant in the crypto space[1]. However, a noticeable challenge is emerging, as new altcoins like Layer Brett and Pengu are gaining traction and capturing investor attention[2].
This shift in investor behaviour is significant, with more portfolios incorporating these altcoins. The appeal lies in their features, such as Ethereum Layer 2 technology, which delivers near-instant transactions and extremely low gas fees—advantages compared to Ripple and Ethereum Layer 1, where fees can spike during congestion[2].
Layer Brett, in particular, stands out for its combination of scalability, low fees, and meme coin community appeal, positioning it as a utility powerhouse with potential for massive growth[2]. This contrasts with XRP’s more established but slower technology[2].
While XRP has shown strong YTD gains of 50.19%, making it one of the top performers, other altcoins like Monero and Hyperliquid have higher returns or notable innovations[3]. Despite recent XRP price dips (over 20% off peaks), some analysts remain bullish on XRP, forecasting potential price surges to $7–$8 short-term and even $25 to $37 in a longer bull run, depending on institutional inflows and regulatory clarity[3][4].
However, the growing interest in emerging altcoins reflects a fragmenting dominance landscape. Ripple and XRP continue advancing with new initiatives like integrating tokenized real-world assets (real estate, credit, commodities) and connecting with Ethereum-compatible ecosystems. This could sustain XRP's infrastructure relevance but also reflects adaptation to competition[5].
In summary, although XRP holds a dominant market position among altcoins, newer altcoins with technological innovations, lower fees, and strong communities are actively challenging its leadership, reflecting a competitive and evolving altcoin market environment in 2025[2].
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[1] CoinMarketCap. (2025). XRP Market Cap. [online] Available at: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/ripple/
[2] Investopedia. (2025). Layer Brett. [online] Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/l/layer-brett.asp
[3] CoinGecko. (2025). XRP Price. [online] Available at: https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/ripple
[4] Forbes. (2025). XRP Price Prediction 2025: Will Ripple Hit $10? [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelluongo/2025/03/01/ripple-price-prediction-2025-will-ripple-hit-10/?sh=71b9b5e67669
[5] Ripple. (2025). RippleNet. [online] Available at: https://ripple.com/products/ripplenet/
Technology plays a significant role in the competition among altcoins, with newcomers like Layer Brett employing Ethereum Layer 2 technology to deliver faster transactions and lower fees compared to XRP and Ethereum Layer 1.
The appeal of Layer Brett, in particular, stems from its combination of scalability, low fees, and meme coin community appeal, setting it apart from the more established but slower technology of XRP.
