The retired US Army combat medic predicted that XRP would overtake Bitcoin as the most valuable cryptocurrency in the world – which would require the price of XRP to rise from $1.41 to almost $24.

It’s a long way to the top

Patrick L. Riley, who is currently a market commentator on social media, published a forecast for X without providing additional data or a specific schedule.

This wasn’t his first time making such a statement. “Last month,” Riley said XRP will become the highest-ranking cryptocurrency within six years, regardless of whether Bitcoin breaks the $150,000 price level this year.

He added that if Bitcoin fails to reach this threshold and regain its 12-year trendline, it could fall as low as $1,000.

Based on current market data, XRP ranks fourth in terms of total market value of nearly $87 billion. Bitcoin leads at $1.45 trillion. Ethereum ranks second with $254 billion. BNB ranks third with $89.3 billion, just ahead of XRP.

I will make two very bold predictions.

1: This won’t be a 4-5 week war.

2: XRP will overtake Bitcoin.

— Patrick L. Riley (@Acquired_Savant) March 4, 2026

Before XRP could even challenge Bitcoin, it would first have to overtake BNB – a difference of about 3.5% – and then Ethereum, which would require a price enhance of about 190%, pushing XRP above $4.15. To surpass Bitcoin would require a further enhance to $23.70.

XRP last overtook Ethereum in December 2019. Since then, the token has bounced between third and fourth place, often trading blows with BNB for position.

Different voices, similar claims

Riley isn’t alone in making these kinds of predictions. In August 2025, a financial commentator known as Coach JV said that XRP would demand: highest place 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 it had added XRP to its domestic cryptocurrency stockpile.

King said that the United States has effectively sidelined Bitcoin by choosing XRP as its strategic reserve, and these XRPs market capitalization it would certainly outperform Bitcoin. No timetable provided.

Riley also comments on the Israel-Iran war

Outside of cryptocurrencies, Riley’s post touched military conflict between Israel and Iran, which broke out on February 28. The United States and Israel have launched coordinated attacks on Iran’s leadership, nuclear infrastructure, and proxy forces.

Reports point to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei he was killed on the first day of the campaign along with other senior officials. Iran responded with more than 200 missiles and drones targeting 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 four to five weeks, with the possibility of extension.

Riley later rejected this estimate in his post, although he did not explain what led him to believe the conflict would end sooner.

Featured image from Vecteezy, chart from TradingView