- Cardano (ADA) and XRP (Ripple) have experienced a dynamic rivalry in market cap over the past five years, with XRP maintaining dominance overall but Cardano briefly outperforming during the 2021 bull market.
- Despite significant fluctuations influenced by market trends and external events, XRP currently holds a substantial lead over ADA in 2024.
The cryptocurrency world is no stranger to competition, and Cardano (ADA) and XRP (Ripple) exemplify this rivalry. Despite differing origins—XRP launched in 2013 and Cardano in 2017—their market cap battle has been a fascinating saga. Here’s a closer look at how these two crypto giants have fared over the last five years.
2019: Ripple Leads the Way
In November 2019, XRP had a commanding market cap of $11.63 billion, dwarfing Cardano’s $1.38 billion. The $10.3 billion gap was a reflection of XRP’s established presence versus Cardano’s fledgling status, having only been on the market for two years.
2020: Cardano Gains Ground
The Covid-19 pandemic rocked markets, but by late 2020, signs of recovery emerged in the crypto space. Cardano’s market cap surged by 143% to $3.24 billion, significantly narrowing the gap with XRP, which saw a modest 4% growth to $12.1 billion. The difference in market caps shrank to $8.86 billion, signaling Cardano’s growing popularity.
2021: Cardano Takes the Crown
The bull run of 2021 propelled both cryptocurrencies to record highs. XRP’s market cap peaked at $80 billion, while Cardano soared to $94 billion. By November, ADA’s market cap of $65.4 billion outpaced XRP’s $55.9 billion, marking a significant $9.5 billion lead for Cardano.
2022: A Dramatic Downturn
Crypto winter returned in 2022, exacerbated by major industry collapses like LUNA and FTX. Cardano’s market cap plummeted by over 80% to $11.6 billion, while XRP also suffered, dropping to $18.9 billion. This year marked a reversal of fortunes, with XRP regaining its lead, surpassing ADA by $7.3 billion.
2023-2024: Ripple Holds the Edge
Crypto markets began to recover in late 2023, bolstered by the anticipation of Bitcoin ETFs and regulatory clarity. By November 2023, XRP extended its dominance with a $33.8 billion market cap, while Cardano lagged at $12.5 billion. In 2024, both coins experienced growth, with XRP reaching $47 billion and Cardano climbing to $21.8 billion. Yet, the gap between them held steady at approximately $25 billion.
The Takeaway
The dynamic rivalry between XRP and Cardano illustrates the volatile nature of cryptocurrencies. XRP’s resilience and ADA’s surges highlight the ever-changing landscape, with external factors like market conditions and regulatory developments playing pivotal roles. Whether this tug-of-war will continue or a new contender will emerge remains to be seen.
