XRP Was Second-Largest Crypto Exactly a Decade Ago: Key Details

Ten years ago, XRP was recognized as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, standing as a dominant force in the emerging digital asset landscape. On October 30, 2014, XRP held its position just behind the flagship crypto Bitcoin.

This achievement marked XRP as one of the most influential players in the crypto space, underscoring its potential and establishing its reputation among investors and industry enthusiasts alike.

Though the crypto landscape has evolved significantly since then, XRP’s early prominence underscores its foundational influence and the lasting dedication of its community.

Cryptos: Ten Years Down The History Lane  

Recently, Satoshi Club, an X account dedicated to covering trends and news within the cryptocurrency market, highlighted this history in a tweet.

He shared a snapshot of what the top 10 cryptocurrencies looked like a decade ago, including a screenshot of the leading cryptocurrencies by market capitalization at that time.

What the Top 10 looked like exactly 10 years ago on this day 👇 pic.twitter.com/T3DJ3w60FZ

— Satoshi Club (@esatoshiclub) October 30, 2024

This post offers a nostalgic glimpse into the early days of digital assets and reminds the community of the pioneering projects that helped shape today’s market.

At the time, Bitcoin (BTC) held the top position , boasting a market capitalization of $4.7 billion. XRP followed closely as the second-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, valued at around $131 million.

This ranking highlighted the early Bitcoin dominance in the digital currency market, with XRP establishing itself as a formidable contender among alternative cryptocurrencies.

Cryptocurrencies such as Litecoin, Bitshares, Dogecoin, Nxt, Peercoin, Maidsafecoin, Counterparty, and Namecoin held positions from third to tenth in the market rankings. During this period, Ethereum was notably absent, as it had not yet been introduced.

It wasn’t until July 2015 that the Ethereum blockchain officially launched, bringing a new wave of innovation that would significantly impact the cryptocurrency landscape.

Back then, the cryptocurrency market was only a fraction of its current size, with a relatively limited number of projects. XRP distinguished itself through its unique consensus mechanism, differing from Bitcoin’s proof-of-work system. It gained attention for its potential to facilitate faster and more cost-effective transactions.

XRP continued to intermittently hold the position of the second-largest cryptocurrency until 2018. During this period, it reached its all-time high of $3.84 , a milestone achieved on January 3, 2018, marking a significant moment in its history.

We are on twitter, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1

— TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) July 15, 2023

XRP’s Ten Years Journey: What has changed?

Fast forward to today: although XRP no longer ranks as the second-largest cryptocurrency, it continues to maintain its position among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

This standing is a testament to XRP’s resilience, as it remains a prominent player despite facing significant regulatory hurdles, most notably an ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

This lawsuit , filed in December 2020, challenged XRP’s legal classification, adding uncertainty and pressure to the project. In the years before this legal dispute, XRP consistently held its place as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market valuation.

This position reflected XRP’s continued relevance and strong community support, which has endured even as the cryptocurrency space has evolved with new projects and innovations. Today, XRP’s sustained presence among the leading digital assets highlights both its adaptability and the loyalty of its community in the face of industry and regulatory shifts.

Following a landmark ruling in the Ripple-SEC lawsuit in July 2023, XRP experienced a surge in market interest and briefly rose to become the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. This legal milestone brought renewed attention to XRP, reflecting optimism about its future in the face of regulatory challenges.

At the time of press, XRP is the seventh-largest cryptocurrency, with a market capitalization of approximately $29.75 billion, as reported by CoinMarketCap . Meanwhile, Bitcoin remains the leader in the cryptocurrency market, boasting a market value exceeding $1.42 trillion.

Ethereum follows as the second-largest cryptocurrency, with a market capitalization of around $319.49 billion, underscoring its strong position in the digital asset space alongside Bitcoin.

Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.

Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News