XRP rises 8% in 24 hours to re-enter the top 4! Market cap surpasses BNB, changing the landscape of cryptocurrencies

XRP Regains Its Position as the Fourth Largest Cryptocurrency

In early 2026, the cryptocurrency market experienced a new round of reshuffling. The long-anticipated Ripple native token XRP surged approximately 8% within 24 hours, surpassing a market cap of $123 billion and overtaking BNB (market cap around $120.7 billion), reclaiming the position of the fourth-largest cryptocurrency (excluding stablecoins). This change not only reflects XRP’s strong momentum but also reveals subtle shifts in capital flow within the crypto market. This article combines real-time data from Gate to analyze the driving factors behind this market cap ranking change and provides a neutral outlook on the future trends of XRP and BNB.

Market Dynamics: XRP and BNB Market Cap Showdown

According to CoinMarketCap data, as of January 8, 2026, XRP’s market cap is approximately $123 billion, while BNB’s is about $120.7 billion, with XRP narrowly leading the “flip.” Over the past 24 hours, XRP’s price reached a high of $2.33 before slightly retreating; BNB has been oscillating in the $903‑910 range.

On the Gate platform, the real-time spot price of XRP/USDT is $2.17, with a 24-hour change of -4.19%; BNB/USDT’s spot price is approximately $903.54, oscillating above the middle band of the Bollinger Bands. Notably, XRP’s trading volume during the rebound significantly increased, with total network trading volume soaring 175% in 24 hours to $3.8 billion, indicating a sharp rise in market participation.

Driving Factors: ETF Capital Inflows and Supply Tightening

Behind XRP’s recent surge are two key drivers:

1. Continuous inflow of funds into the US spot XRP ETF. Since its launch at the end of 2025, the XRP ETF has accumulated net inflows exceeding $1.18 billion, with total assets under management (AUM) around $1.37 billion. The sustained injection of institutional funds provides stable buying support for XRP.
2. Exchange reserves have fallen to multi-year lows. Data from Glassnode shows that the XRP balance on centralized exchanges has dropped to about 1.6 billion coins, a new low since 2018, down approximately 57% from the peak at the end of 2025. The tightening supply and ETF demand resonate, intensifying the market’s supply-demand imbalance.

In contrast, BNB has recently lacked similar institutional capital inflow catalysts, and its price movement is more influenced by overall market sentiment and technical adjustments.

Technical Analysis: Short-term Trends of XRP and BNB

XRP

• Gate’s market data shows that XRP’s current price is around $2.17, in a short-term correction phase. The RSI has not yet entered the overbought zone, and the MACD has shown a bullish crossover, indicating ongoing upward momentum.
• Key resistance is in the $2.20‑2.30 range. If the price can hold above this zone, further testing of $2.50 is possible; support levels are at $2.00‑2.10.

BNB

• The 1-hour K-line on Gate shows BNB oscillating between $895 and $910, with Bollinger Bands narrowing, indicating a consolidation phase.
• The KDJ indicator has retreated from the overbought zone, and the MACD histogram has slightly enlarged, suggesting short-term bullish momentum is waning but not fully turning bearish. A break below $895 could lead to testing support at $880‑885.

Market Context: Anomalies Amid Broad Crypto Market Decline

On January 8, 2026, the overall crypto market showed a broad decline. Bitcoin (BTC) fell 1.08% in 24 hours, dropping below $92,000; Ethereum (ETH) declined 2.05%, retreating to around $3,187. In this context, XRP’s ability to rise against the trend and surpass market cap highlights its relative strength.

Gate Platform Data: Real-time Quotes and Global Presence

As a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, Gate provides real-time quotes, depth charts, and technical indicators for XRP and BNB. Additionally, Gate has recently officially launched Gate Dubai, further deepening its compliant presence in the Middle East and globally, offering users safer and more convenient trading services.

Price Outlook

Based on current market data and technical structures, here is a neutral short-term outlook for XRP and BNB:

• XRP: If it can hold the support zone at $2.00‑2.10 and ETF fund inflows continue, the price may challenge the $2.30‑2.50 range again. However, if overall market sentiment weakens, XRP could retreat to a consolidation zone between $1.85 and $2.00.
• BNB: Likely to oscillate within the $895‑910 range in the short term. A breakout above $910 could test $915‑920; a drop below $895 might lead to testing support at $880‑885.

XRP surpassing BNB in market cap marks an important milestone in early 2026. It not only reflects XRP’s recovery driven by institutional funds and supply chain contraction but also reminds investors that crypto market rankings are not fixed. For investors focusing on XRP and BNB, closely monitoring real-time data, technical indicators, and market news on the Gate platform will be key to grasping subsequent trends.