Is XRP the Cryptocurrency That Could Make You a Millionaire?

To become a cryptocurrency that creates millionaires, it takes more than just a few strong years. What’s truly required is the ability to endure over the long haul and deliver extraordinary growth consistently for a decade or longer.

By these standards, Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) and Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) are clear contenders. But does XRP ( XRP 1.67%) also have what it takes to be a millionaire-making crypto?

XRP's track record

Let’s begin by looking at XRP’s performance over time. XRP was introduced in June 2012, with price data available from 2013, giving us a substantial history to review. The earliest exchange prices for XRP are generally believed to be between $0.005 and $0.01.

So, if you check CoinMarketCap, you’ll find that XRP has soared an astonishing 51,000% since its inception. Even though XRP’s current price is a modest $3, it started out at less than a cent, making those returns truly remarkable. A $2,000 investment over ten years ago, with a 51,000% gain, would have easily made you a crypto millionaire by now.

That’s why many consider XRP to have the potential to create millionaires. The catch, however, is that only a small number of early adopters and institutions were able to buy XRP when it was under a penny. Blockchain wallet analysis reveals that XRP ownership is highly concentrated, and even now, fewer than 5% of XRP wallets contain more than $25,000 worth of the token.

Additionally, if you examine XRP’s price movements over the years, the picture is far from straightforward. From 2012 to 2018, XRP’s price was mostly stagnant. It then experienced a dramatic surge, only to lose nearly all those gains, before rallying again in 2020-2021. After another steep drop, it surged once more in late 2024 and early 2025.

This repeated cycle of rapid rises and sharp declines explains why XRP remains at $3. While there have been dramatic highs, there have also been deep lows. Holding onto XRP through all this volatility would have been a real test of nerves.

What is a realistic future growth rate for XRP?

So far this year, XRP has climbed an impressive 42%. For the sake of discussion, let’s assume XRP can sustain this growth rate for the next ten years. By then, its price would rise from $3 to $100.

To reach a million dollars in a decade, you’d need to purchase 10,000 XRP today, which would cost you about $30,000 at current prices. For most people, that’s not a feasible investment.

But, even if you happen to have a spare $30,000, it’s still uncertain whether XRP can actually achieve a compound annual growth rate of 42% for ten straight years. Keep in mind, XRP’s history is marked by alternating periods of rapid growth and steep declines.

Potential XRP catalysts

Many early adopters hoped that XRP’s blockchain could eventually replace the SWIFT network for fast, low-cost international payments. That’s the kind of major breakthrough that could propel XRP to $100 per token.

Since SWIFT reportedly processes $150 trillion in transactions annually, even capturing a small portion of that could be worth trillions. This past summer, Ripple executives (the company behind XRP) suggested that XRP could handle 14% or more of SWIFT’s global yearly transaction volume within five years.

However, since then, XRP’s future has become less certain. There are now doubts about Ripple’s leadership and questions regarding SWIFT’s commitment to testing XRP’s blockchain payment solutions.

Where does XRP go from here?

In my view, the main issue is that XRP often behaves like a meme coin. There’s constant excitement and speculation, but XRP frequently fails to deliver. Many forget a crucial point: in over ten years, XRP has never surpassed $4.

For XRP to become a true millionaire-maker, its price would likely need to reach $100 within the next ten years. Based on its track record, that seems highly unlikely. For this reason, I’m searching elsewhere for a cryptocurrency that could truly transform my financial future.