A retired US Army combat medic has predicted that XRP will overtake Bitcoin as the world’s most valuable cryptocurrency — a claim that would require XRP’s price to climb from $1.41 to nearly $24.
A Long Road To The Top
Patrick L. Riley, who now operates as a market commentator on social media, posted the forecast on X without offering supporting data or a specific timeline.
It was not his first time making the claim. Last month, Riley said XRP would become the top-ranked crypto within six years, regardless of whether Bitcoin breaks the $150,000 price level this year.
He added that if Bitcoin fails to reach that threshold and reclaim its 12-year trend line, it could collapse to as low as $1,000.
Based on current market data, XRP sits fourth by total market value at close to $87 billion. Bitcoin leads at $1.45 trillion. Ethereum ranks second at $254 billion. BNB holds third place at $89.3 billion, just ahead of XRP.
I’m going to make two very not bold predictions.
1: This will not be a 4-5 week long war.
2: XRP will pass Bitcoin.
— Patrick L Riley (@Acquired_Savant) March 4, 2026
Before XRP could even challenge Bitcoin, it would first need to pass BNB — a gap of roughly 3.5% — and then Ethereum, which would require a price increase of about 190%, pushing XRP past $4.15. Surpassing Bitcoin would demand a further surge 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.
Other Voices, Similar Claims
Riley is not alone in making this kind of forecast. In August 2025, a finance commentator known as Coach JV said XRP would claim the top spot by 2030, with Bitcoin falling to second.
In March 2025, Jacob King, CEO of SwanDesk, made a similar argument after the US government confirmed it had added XRP to its national crypto stockpile.
King said the US had effectively sidelined Bitcoin by choosing XRP for its strategic reserve, and that XRP’s market cap would surpass Bitcoin’s with certainty. No timeline was given.
Riley Also Weighs In On The Israel-Iran War
Beyond crypto, Riley’s post touched on the military conflict between Israel and Iran that broke out on February 28. The US and Israel launched coordinated strikes against Iranian leadership, nuclear infrastructure, and proxy forces.
Reports indicate Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 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 Gulf region.
At the outset, US President Donald Trump said the operation might run for about four to five weeks, with the possibility it could stretch longer.
Riley later rejected that estimate in a post, though he did not explain what led him to think the conflict would wrap up sooner.
Featured image from Vecteezy, chart from TradingView
