Cryptocurrency influencer Amonyx has pointed to a recent segment on CNBC in which XRP was identified as the hottest crypto trade of the year, ahead of both Bitcoin and Ethereum.
In his tweet, Amonyx stressed that CNBC is highlighting XRP as a top crypto trade right now, not Bitcoin and not Ethereum. He ended his post with a pointed question: “Market seeing something… or about to?”
The CNBC segment opened with a direct statement from one of the hosts: “The hottest crypto trade of the year is not Bitcoin. It is not ether. It is XRP.” The program noted that XRP has gained more than 20% this year and has risen to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. The host also referenced significant capital backing the trade, indicating that institutional money may be playing a role in the asset’s recent performance.
Journalist Mackenzie Sigalos explained during the broadcast that, in the fourth quarter, when crypto markets were relatively quiet, investors were steadily accumulating XRP exchange-traded products.
She highlighted that this behavior differed from trends in spot Bitcoin and ether ETFs, where inflows typically move with price momentum. In XRP’s case, investors were buying during price weakness, suggesting a strategy focused on positioning ahead of potential upside.
Sigalos described XRP as a less crowded trade compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum. According to her comments, this positioning became evident in the first six trading days of January, when performance data showed notable strength.
She indicated that investors seeking higher percentage gains may be turning to assets with more room for movement, rather than established cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which tend to experience smaller relative price swings due to their size and maturity.
The segment also explored the practical use of XRP and compared it to other altcoins such as Solana. Sigalos stated that XRP built its reputation around cross-border payments. At the same time, Solana has been attracting attention for its role in tokenization trends, including tokenized money market funds and other financial instruments.
The hosts discussed whether transaction speed and lower costs are becoming decisive factors in how users and investors choose blockchains. Sigalos agreed that efficiency is central to current interest, especially as stablecoins and tokenized assets expand across multiple networks.
She noted that stablecoin issuers can operate on various blockchains, allowing market participants to select networks based on performance and transaction fees.
The conversation concluded with remarks on the evolution of the crypto market. Industry figures such as Vlad Tenev of Robinhood and Brian Armstrong of Coinbase were mentioned in relation to tokenizing equities and expanding financial services tied to digital assets.
The discussion suggested that as Bitcoin becomes more established, some investors may be exploring alternatives that offer different technical features and growth potential.
Amonyx’s tweet reflects this shift in focus. By highlighting CNBC’s emphasis on XRP, he suggests that market participants may be reassessing where the strongest opportunities currently lie.
