The privacy coin Monero (XMR) has vaulted dramatically up the cryptocurrency rankings, surpassing both Litecoin (LTC) and Toncoin (TON) to snag a seat among the top 25 digital assets by market cap. With fresh investor interest and a potent price rally, Monero is asserting its relevance once more in the still-evolving landscape of digital privacy and decentralized finance. A Resurgent Monero: Price Doubles in 2025 Rally Monero’s market cap now stands at about $7.5 billion, just ahead of Toncoin ($7.48 billion) and Litecoin ($7.35 billion), per data from CoinGecko. This surge has happened because XMR has more than doubled in price this year. It crossed the $400 threshold for the first time since early 2021. The rally was not led by Bitcoin, which remains under $30,000, but by Ether and several altcoins. Thus, Monero not only returned to form this year but also proved the market’s growing interest in anonymous and censorship-resistant digital assets. Monero overtakes Litecoin and Toncoin, enters top 25 crypto assets by market cap Privacy-focused cryptocurrency Monero (XMR) has surpassed Litecoin (LTC) and Toncoin (TON) in market capitalization, hitting $7.5 billion, ahead of TON ($7.48B) and LTC ($7.35B), according to… pic.twitter.com/od8e4zXG5x — CoinPhoton (@coinphoton) May 26, 2025 Driving this increase are a pair of technical and speculative aspects. From a technical standpoint, Monero is working on what is rumored to be its largest upgrade to date, an overhaul that will take its already advanced cryptographic privacy features to a new level. And from a speculative standpoint, crypto enthusiasts are looking for places to invest in a bear market, and privacy coins seem to have a lot of promise. The optimistic momentum surrounding this cryptocurrency has been fueled by rumors that Monero may soon be relisted on major exchanges, with Coinbase among those mentioned in reports. Like some other cryptocurrencies, Monero has faced periodic deplatforming over the last few years. U.S. law enforcement agencies have a strong interest in regulation and clearly see privacy coins as a problem. But as the cryptocurrency market at large matures, regulatory frameworks are becoming clearer, and some exchanges may be reconsidering Monero for relisting. Litecoin and Toncoin Struggle to Keep Pace Although Monero has been experiencing a string of victories, its closest competitors in the race for market capitalization—Litecoin and Toncoin—have had a very different 2025. Litecoin, sometimes called “digital silver” to Bitcoin’s “digital gold,” has seen its price fall 6% this year, now trading below the $100 level. Even though it has a strong historical legacy and a loyal community, Litecoin has somewhat fallen off the map in terms of mainstream relevance. Its development activity is limited, and it has no new compelling features. As a result, it is increasingly failing to keep up with other altcoins in a market that is driven more and more by utility and innovation. The Open Network (TON), with its native token Toncoin, has had a bumpy ride at the beginning of this year. Even though it is strongly tied to Telegram’s colossal user base, its price has dropped 25% in 2025. This decline showcases investors’ doubt regarding the platform being widely adopted. But even if it is adopted, will it succeed economically? If you’re a token holder, you should be very concerned about the following list of uncertainties fuelng both doubts and a declining price. Conversely, Monero has enjoyed a year filled with positive momentum, robust fundamentals, and a strong, privacy-rooted narrative that is under served in the context of the broader conversation around crypto. Privacy Is Back in Focus—And Monero Leads the Charge At a time when digital privacy seems to be taking a hit, Monero is doing quite well. It is regaining users and developers, many of whom see it as a way to maintain private interactions in an age of digital surveillance. Underground, but not quite out of the picture, Monero is making a comeback—much like the promise of digital privacy in a world of ever-more-ubiquitous surveillance. In contrast to other blockchains, where every transaction is visible for all to see, Monero employs a secretive protocol that uses stealth addresses, ring signatures, and confidential transactions to obscure the transaction data. Because of this, Monero allows its users to transact in a way that is secure and private—not unlike cash, but unlike cash, you can easily send Monero over the internet and have it arrive in your recipient’s ‘hands’ in a matter of seconds. Monero reestablishes itself among the top cryptocurrency assets, climbing the ranks to do so. The cryptocurrency once again illustrates that privacy is an integral component of blockchain technology. After a period of neglect, privacy is once again a focal point for leading cryptocurrencies. But can Monero maintain its momentum? The fate of Monero—it isn’t going away anytime soon—depends on how the wider cryptocurrency market performs. Monero’s performance, if damaged, won’t lead to a complete cryptocurrency collapse, but the leading coin along with additions like Zcash only prove that privacy is one part of a three-part solution for a beautiful future. Disclosure: This is not trading or investment advice. Always do your research before buying any cryptocurrency or investing in any services. Follow us on Twitter @nulltxnews to stay updated with the latest Crypto, NFT, AI, Cybersecurity, Distributed Computing, and Metaverse news !
