XRP vs ETH: Which token is quietly outperforming in whale-fueled rallies?

Key takeaways:

• XRP leads in yearly gains, surging 552% since July 2024 and 49% year-to-date.
• ETH sees major institutional adoption, with over $4.4 billion in holdings from firms like Bit Digital and BlackRock.

Ether (ETH) and XRP (XRP) are the best-performing large-cap crypto assets over the past 30 days, with a return of 52% and 45% respectively.

XRP has significantly outperformed ETH over the past year. Since July 2024, XRP has surged by 552%, while ETH has recorded a modest gain of 6.34%, rising to $3,630 from $3,432. Year-to-date (YTD) performance also highlights XRP’s strength, with the token climbing to $3.10 from $2.08 (a 49% increase), compared to ETH’s 9.5% rise over the same period.

Ether, XRP returns comparison over the past year. Source: Cointelegraph/TradingViewWhale accumulation has played a significant role in the recent price movements of both XRP and ETH. According to data from Santiment, 2,743 wallets now hold over one million XRP each, amounting to 47.32 billion tokens—roughly 4.4% of the total circulating supply. This concentration has tightened available supply, helping fuel a 50% price increase during the first half of July.

XRP whale address accumulation. Source: SantimentXRP also trades close to its all-time high (ATH) of $3.84. After reaching $3.65 earlier this month, it currently sits at $3.10, about 82% of its peak value. This trend highlights how large holders are influencing price momentum.

However, Ether is witnessing unprecedented institutional accumulation. Bit Digital sold all its Bitcoin to buy 100,000 ETH ($172 million), becoming a top holder. Alongside Bit Digital, BTCS Inc., BitMine, and SharpLink have also accumulated ETH aggressively as a strategic treasury asset.

Related: XRP price drops 19% but analysts say it’s a ‘healthy correction’

Collectively, these four entities hold approximately 652,929 ETH, valued at over $2.37 billion based on current prices. BlackRock’s 2.14 million ETH holdings further highlight Ether’s rising interest among institutions

BlackRock’s crypto wallet. Source: ArkhamPrice-wise, ETH is currently 74% of its $4,890 peak, so technically, XRP’s proximity to its ATH reflects better whale-driven momentum. Still, ETH’s institutional backing suggests long-term growth, and there is a high possibility corporations will continue to add Ether as a treasury asset

Therefore, while XRP holds the advantage in yearly and year-to-date returns, ETH could outperform over the next six to twelve months.

Related: Ether emerges as winner after crypto’s ‘watershed moment’: Bitwise

This article does not contain investment advice or recommendations. Every investment and trading move involves risk, and readers should conduct their own research when making a decision.

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