A tweet from Ripple’s official account from May 6, 2013, is making the rounds again — and it shows just how much the story around XRP has changed. Back then, Ripple openly referred to XRP as its token and celebrated overtaking Bitcoin in market cap. These days, that kind of language is off-limits in corporate filings and courtroom testimony.
The context was simple: Bitcoin’s market cap was still under $2 billion, and because of the pre-mined 100 billion XRP coins, the latter briefly claimed the top spot based on the logic of fully diluted supply.
It was not the last time. Back in early 2018, XRP was trading at $2.38 and had a market cap of $238 billion, which was more than Bitcoin’s $214 billion. It was a rare occasion when BTC did not lead the way in the crypto world.
That ranking did not hold up. Skip ahead to 2026, and the gap is still big. Bitcoin is trading at around $92,800, with a valuation of $1.85 trillion. XRP is at $2.28, which puts it at $138 billion in market cap. It is currently ranked fourth, behind Ethereum and Tether, with a 13x gap separating it from Bitcoin.
XRP is not Ripple
The tweet should not be judged by the old numbers, but by the way they are presented. Back in 2013, Ripple promoted XRP’s rise as its own success. There was no line between the company and the asset. But then the SEC lawsuit came along, and Ripple started saying that XRP is its own thing and is not a security tied to the company.
This is a bit of a contradiction, since the token used to be called “Ripple” and is now being rebranded as separate, decentralized and hands-off. But the historical record shows something different, and the tweet still says what it says.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
Related Articles
Bitcoin Price Lags Behind Global Money Supply Growth, High Energy Costs and Interest Rates Exacerbate Pressure
CF Benchmarks' latest report indicates a significant divergence between Bitcoin price and global money supply growth. Since mid-2025, global M2 money supply has increased approximately 12%, while Bitcoin price has declined 35%. High interest rates and rising energy prices have limited capital inflows. Over the medium to long term, if the financial environment improves, Bitcoin price may have a rebound opportunity.
GateNews16m ago
Strive Increases Holdings of 317 Bitcoin, Surpassing CleanSpark to Rank in Global Top Ten
Strive (ASST) has increased its Bitcoin holdings to 13,627.9 BTC as of March 17, ranking 10th globally with a total market value of approximately $944.3 million. The company recorded a book loss of $393.6 million in the fourth quarter, with 93% attributed to Bitcoin value fluctuations rather than cash losses. Strive is raising capital through SATA preferred shares to support its Bitcoin strategy, with a dividend yield reaching 12.75%.
MarketWhisper20m ago
Strive Adds 317 Bitcoin, Enters Top 10 Public Treasury Holders as Q4 Losses Reflect Crypto Volatility
Strive (Nasdaq: ASST), the corporate treasury firm founded by Vivek Ramaswamy, increased its bitcoin holdings by 317 BTC over the past week, bringing total reserves to 13,627.9 BTC as of March 17, 2026, and securing the 10th position among public bitcoin treasury companies.
CryptopulseElite20m ago
Retail investors buy gold while institutional investors return to Bitcoin
Market data reveals a divergence in capital flows, with retail investors favoring gold purchases while institutional investors shift back to Bitcoin, highlighting contrasting asset allocation strategies.
GateNews27m ago
VanEck Report: Bitcoin Options Put/Call Ratio Surges to 0.84, Hitting Five-Year High
Gate News reported that on March 20, VanEck's latest on-chain Bitcoin report shows that Bitcoin options traders' bearish sentiment has risen to the highest level in five years. Data shows that last month's put/call ratio peaked at 0.84 with an average of 0.77, placing it in the most bearish 9% range since mid-2019. Open interest in options contracts has surged past $33 billion, with put option premiums hitting historic highs, indicating that institutional investors are buying downside protection at scale.
GateNews29m ago
