A retired US Army combat medic has predicted that XRP will overtake Bitcoin as the world’s most valuable cryptocurrency – a claim that calls for the price of XRP to rise from $1.41 to around $24.
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A long way to the top
Patrick L. Riley, who now serves as a market commentator on social media, posted the prediction on X without providing any supporting data or a specific timeline.
It wasn’t the first time he made a claim. Last month, Riley said that XRP will become the highest performing crypto in six years, whether or not Bitcoin breaks the $150,000 price level this year.
He added that if Bitcoin fails to reach this threshold and retrace its 12-year trend line, it could fall to $1,000.
Based on current market data, XRP ranks fourth in terms of total market capitalization at around $87 billion. Bitcoin leads the way with $1.45 trillion. Ethereum is in second place with $254 billion. BNB is in third place with $89.3 billion ahead of XRP.
I make two not-so-bold predictions.
1: This won’t be a 4-5 week long war.
2: XRP passes Bitcoin.
— Patrick L Riley (@Acquired_Savant) March 4, 2026
Before XRP can even challenge Bitcoin, it must first pass BNB – a gap of about 3.5% – and then Ethereum, which requires a price increase of about 190%, taking XRP past $4.15. Bitcoin’s upside calls for a further rally to $23.70.
XRP last overtook Ethereum in December 2019. Since then, the token has bounced between third and fourth place, often jostling with BNB for position.
Other voices, similar claims
Riley is not alone in such predictions. In August 2025, a financial commentator known as Coach JV said that XRP will occupy the first position by 2030, and Bitcoin will fall to second place.
In March 2025, Jacob King, CEO of SwanDesk, made a similar argument after the US government confirmed that it had added XRP to its national crypto reserve.
King said the U.S. has effectively sidelined Bitcoin by choosing XRP for its strategic reserve, and the market value of XRP will undoubtedly surpass Bitcoin. No timeline was given.
Riley also ponders the Israel-Iran war
In addition to crypto, Riley’s article touched on the military conflict between Israel and Iran that broke out on February 28. The US and Israel have launched coordinated attacks against Iran’s leadership, nuclear facilities and proxy forces.
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Reports indicate that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the campaign, along with other high-ranking officials. Iran responded by firing more than 200 missiles and drones at Israeli territory and US military positions in the Persian Gulf region.
At the beginning, US President Donald Trump said that the operation could last about 4 to 5 weeks and it could be longer.
Riley later denied the speculation in a post, though he did not explain what prompted him to end the conflict sooner.
Featured image from Vecteezy, chart from TradingView
