CNBC Highlights XRP as Top Crypto Trade of 2026, Citing Cross-Border Payment Potential and Regulatory Clarity

Source: CryptoNewsNet Original Title: CNBC is bullish on XRP because it is targeting banks and cross-border payments Original Link: Wall Street media CNBC TV is calling XRP the standout crypto trade of 2026, saying it’s ahead of Bitcoin and Ether in recent market focus.

During a segment after the bell, MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC’s finance and technology correspondent, pointed out that the Ripple-backed token surged more than 20% in one week, overtook BNB, and became the third-largest crypto by market value. MacKenzie noted that XRP’s rally was not sudden, as the asset had outperformed quietly for months. Even on days when the crypto market was crashing, it held steady.

Why CNBC is Bullish on XRP

MacKenzie highlighted that the main use case for XRP is payments, specifically cross-border settlement because Ripple designed the token to be a bridge asset. The XRP pitch differs from Bitcoin’s digital gold narrative and stablecoins’ tokenized dollar story.

According to MacKenzie:

“XRP is trying to be the exchange layer that moves value between currencies. Money is moving into XRP for three big reasons. First, the regulatory overhang has finally cleared as Ripple wrapped up its SEC fight. It’s a less crowded trade than Bitcoin or Ether. And third, the flows have held up even during market dips. Investors kept adding to XRP-focused funds while Bitcoin ETF flows fell with the price.”

MacKenzie believes XRP offers more upside partly because it starts from a lower base, linking that to activity seen when spot Bitcoin ETFs saw net outflows and accumulation in XRP picked up.

Solana Also Emerges as Top Performer

MacKenzie also highlighted that interest has grown around Solana, placing it alongside XRP as the two most-watched altcoins. Solana draws attention through tokenization, including money market funds, not just stablecoins. Morgan Stanley recently filed an S-1 to launch Bitcoin and Solana ETFs, expanding institutional product offerings.

Since Bitcoin’s size limits percentage gains, faster blockchains allow easier handling of tokenized assets. The panel discussed transaction speed and cost as key factors, noting that some networks offer significantly cheaper transfers compared to major chains.

“For now, many of those stablecoins are transaction free. Speed is what’s driving a lot of this—the idea that cost and speed will be the defining factor for how people gravitate towards certain blockchains,” said MacKenzie.

Other blockchains like Tron were mentioned as fast options with different pricing structures. MacKenzie explained that Solana is more cost-effective than certain times on the Ethereum blockchain, which is why people are diversifying away from the big two.

MacKenzie also pointed to developments in tokenized equities and how platforms are diversifying beyond just exchange trading, with institutional backing playing a significant role in sector growth.