Ripple’s XRP coin remains popular among regular traders as the crypto space evolves through major changes. Real Vision CEO Raoul Pal explained this observation in an X post on January 2, illustrating why XRP is still favored by newcomers in the crypto space. Despite the lengthy court battles, XRP has cemented its place as the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization. XRP is now valued at $180 billion, based on data from CoinMarketCap, and as of January 3rd, it has a 24-hour trading volume of $18 billion. Pal’s insights point to a unique attribute—its ability to resonate with “normies,” or average retail investors entering the volatile crypto space. Raoul Pal’s Take on XRP’s Unique Appeal In his recent critique of the growing AI agent craze in crypto, Pal contrasted the hype surrounding AI agents with XRP’s steady appeal. He dismissed the AI narrative as a short-lived fad driven by thrill-seeking market players, stating, “They’ll come in and buy XRP anyway.” Source: X Pal attributes XRP’s enduring popularity to its simplicity, affordability, and association with Ripple, a reputable payments firm. Low transaction fees and a user-friendly approach make XRP an attractive entry point for those new to crypto, according to industry analysis. A “Cult-Like” Following XRP’s loyal user base is another factor contributing to its mass appeal. In an August 2024 video, Pal described XRP’s community as having a “cult-like” following, drawn to the token’s reliability and its role in cross-border payments. This support persisted even during XRP’s legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which led to temporary delistings from major exchanges like Coinbase. Despite this setback, XRP staged an impressive comeback. Between November and December 2024, XRP soared 475% , outperforming most other cryptocurrencies. The rally followed Donald Trump’s election victory, with market participants speculating on regulatory clarity for XRP under a new administration. AI Agents vs. XRP: Market Sentiment While XRP thrives on its simplicity and proven utility, the rise of AI agents has introduced a new layer of complexity to the crypto space. These unsupervised software use artificial intelligence to perform blockchain operations such as portfolio management and tokenized trade. However, Pal raised his eyebrows about their sustainability, claiming it to be a “thrill-seeker’s game.” Logical barriers and the scarcity of applications also provoked questions regarding AI agent sustainability. XRP, on the other hand, remains to provide value-adding services, thus should not be only considered a speculative investment. The recent performance shows why XRP remains relevant in the portfolio of retail investors. Although extraneous fads such as AI agents may serve to mesmerize the general public temporarily, XRP is the only digital currency consistently demonstrating stable growth and constantly expanding its circle of recognition among traders.
