Why ETH and XRP’s All-Time Highs Fall Short Compared to Bitcoin - Coinedict

Ethereum (ETH) and XRP have both come close to setting fresh all-time highs this month — but zooming out reveals a different picture.

ETH touched $4,788 last week, just shy of its November 2021 record of $4,891. Meanwhile, XRP briefly climbed to $3.65, nearing its 2018 peak of $3.83. Despite these milestones in dollar terms, both altcoins have struggled when measured against Bitcoin (BTC).

ETH’s Struggle Against BTC

According to Bitcoin advocate Pierre Rochard, ETH’s real all-time high came back in 2017, when 0.14 ETH equaled 1 BTC. Today, that ratio has dropped by more than 76%, leaving ETH far behind Bitcoin’s growth trajectory.

While Bitcoin surged 91% since ETH’s last ATH in 2021, Ethereum has failed to keep pace. If ETH had matched Bitcoin’s growth rate, it would be worth $9,341 today instead of hovering around $4,300.

ETF outflows and a growing “unstaking” queue — with over 900,000 ETH waiting to exit — add further pressure on ETH’s short-term momentum.

XRP’s Long Wait for a Breakout

XRP faces a similar challenge. While its price briefly touched $3.65 in July, it has since retraced to around $3.01. The “XRP Army” has now been waiting seven years for a new record high.

Back in January 2018, XRP was the second-largest crypto after Bitcoin. But since then, BTC has risen 637%, while XRP has struggled to reclaim its prior peak. If XRP had matched Bitcoin’s growth over that same period, it would now be trading near $24.50.

The Bigger Picture

For Bitcoin maximalists, this is proof that BTC remains the “fastest horse.” Despite impressive rallies in ETH and XRP over the past year, both have weakened when compared to Bitcoin over a multi-year horizon.

That reality is shaping institutional strategy, as corporate treasuries increasingly adopt Bitcoin while leaving ETH and XRP behind. Still, altcoin believers argue that it’s only a matter of time before ETH and XRP not only hit new highs — but sustain them.