A retired US Army combat medic has predicted that XRP will overtake Bitcoin as the world’s most valuable cryptocurrency – a claim that would require the price of XRP to rise from $1.41 to almost $24.
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A long way to the top
Patrick L. Riley, who now operates as a market commentator on social media, posted the forecast on X without offering supporting data or a specific timeline.
It wasn’t the first time he made this claim. Last month, Riley said XRP would become the highest-ranked crypto within six years regardless of whether Bitcoin breaks the $150,000 price level this year.
He added that if Bitcoin fails to reach that threshold and reclaim its 12-year trendline, it could collapse to a low of $1,000.
Based on current market data, XRP ranks fourth in total market value, with almost $87 billion. Bitcoin leads at $1.45 trillion. Ethereum is in second place with $254 billion. BNB ranks third with $89.3 billion, just ahead of XRP.
I’m going to make two very unbold predictions.
1: This will not be a four to five week war.
2: XRP will pass Bitcoin.
— Patrick L. Riley (@Acquired_Savant) March 4, 2026
Before XRP could even challenge Bitcoin, it would first need to pass BNB – a gap of around 3.5% – and then Ethereum, which would require a price increase of around 190%, pushing XRP past $4.15. Surpassing Bitcoin would require a further rise to $23.70.
XRP last overtook Ethereum in December 2019. Since then, the token has risen between third and fourth place, often trading blows with BNB for position.
Different voices, similar claims
Riley isn’t the only one making these kinds of predictions. In August 2025, a financial commentator known as Coach JV said that XRP is the top spot by 2030, with Bitcoin falling to second place.
In March 2025, SwanDesk CEO Jacob King made a similar argument after the US government confirmed it had added XRP to its national crypto stockpile.
King said the US had effectively sidelined Bitcoin by choosing XRP for its strategic reserve, and that of XRP market capitalization would definitely surpass that of Bitcoin. No timeline was given.
Riley also weighs in on the war between Israel and Iran
In addition to crypto, Riley’s message was also about the military conflict between Israel and Iran, which broke out on February 28. The US and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran’s leadership, nuclear infrastructure and proxy forces.
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Reports indicate that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was assassinated on the first day of the campaign, along with other high-ranking officials. Iran responded with more than 200 missiles and drones that targeted Israeli territory and US military positions in the Gulf region.
Initially, US President Donald Trump said the operation could take about four to five weeks, with the possibility it could last even longer.
Riley later rejected that estimate in a message, though he did not explain why he thought the conflict would end sooner.
Featured image from Vecteezy, chart from TradingView