As Bitcoin continues its strong upward momentum, XRP is gaining renewed attention from analysts. While Bitcoin leads the broader crypto market, some experts suggest XRP may offer higher returns. With recent legal developments and expanding use cases, XRP’s growth potential is drawing investor interest. Market participants are now evaluating whether XRP could outperform Bitcoin in the current cycle.
XRP vs BTC: Analyst Predicts Higher XRP Gains
Crypto researcher Ripple Van Winkle shared a bold outlook on XRP’s performance compared to Bitcoin. He suggested XRP might deliver larger returns due to its lower current price and upcoming catalysts.
In a recent post on X, Ripple Van Winkle projected Bitcoin’s potential rise to $200,000 soon. This projection represents a 2x increase from Bitcoin’s present valuation. In contrast, XRP, currently priced around $2.40, offers room for greater upside, the analyst said.
Unpopular opinion: XRP is a better investment than Bitcoin right now. Here's why… (1/7)
— Ripple Van Winkle | Crypto Researcher
(@RipBullWinkle) May 11, 2025
The expert believes Ripple could rise to between $8 and $12. “Even a conservative $8-12 target means 3-5x returns,” he stated. He emphasized that such gains are more meaningful for investors seeking high-yield opportunities.
Legal Clarity Could Boost XRP Price
The ongoing legal battle between Ripple Labs and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is nearing a resolution. Reports suggest a possible settlement agreement could be reached soon, potentially ending years of regulatory uncertainty.
Ripple Van Winkle stated that legal clarity could serve as a major growth driver for XRP. A favorable ruling or settlement would eliminate one of the key barriers that have held back institutional adoption of the asset. Ripple’s fast transactions and low fees are additional benefits, the analyst said.
Investors are also watching for signals from regulators on whether XRP will be classified as a non-security. A definitive ruling could open the door to broader use in traditional finance and trading platforms.
Institutional Interest in XRP Expands
Retail and institutional investors have also been demonstrating more interest in XRP. Use of XRP in a U.S. Strategic Reserve framework has triggered debate on the potential endorsement of the same by the government for XRP.
By situating itself as a crypto tax haven, Missouri would be able to contribute to creating growth in the Ripple market. Though amicable state crypto laws may incentivize financial institutions to hold or trade Ripple, especially in settlement processes.
It is with rumors that Ripple Labs is looking into acquisition targets such as the USDC issuer and prime broker Circle, and Hidden Road, respectively. Such deals could improve Ripple’s infrastructure at the same time as this indirectly increases XRP’s value.
Bitcoin Holds Strong, But Macro Risks Loom
Despite the continuous surge, Bitcoin is still more than $100,000 thanks to high demand and further funds into the ETFs. According to CoinMarketCap data, over the last week, this asset has grown by 8%.
However, geopolitical risks like the India-Pakistan conflict are seen as affecting market dynamics, according to analysts. During such times, investments would allow the investors to choose assets that will present alternative risk profiles.
While Bitcoin is still the leading cryptocurrency, the superposition of legal backing and institutional influence of Ripple places it on the watch-list tokens. Van Winkle concluded by stating, “This cycle, XRP is expected to give higher returns compared to Bitcoin at these prices”.
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