Forbes has named XRP one of its top ten cryptocurrency investment picks for July 2026, ranking it fourth after Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB.
The ranking stems from Forbes’ most recent analysis of major digital assets, evaluating criteria such as real-world utility, market size, recent price performance, and trading volume.
Forbes limited its list to cryptocurrencies with market capitalizations exceeding $5 billion, arguing that larger assets generally exhibit more stability and attract greater institutional interest.
In addition to the top four, the list also features Solana (SOL), TRON (TRX), Hyperliquid (HYPE), Rain (RAIN), UNUS SED LEO (LEO), and Zcash (ZEC).
Why XRP Made the List
According to Forbes, XRP continues to attract attention due to its focus on fast, low‑cost cross‑border payments. The original XRPL creators designed the token to enable quick value transfers across multiple currencies while keeping transaction fees minimal.
The report indicated that XRP was trading at $1.11 on July 10 2026, giving it a market capitalization of $69.21 billion and positioning it as the fourth‑largest cryptocurrency. In the preceding seven days, XRP rose modestly by 0.29%.
Forbes also highlighted XRP’s strong long‑term growth, noting a rise of roughly 18,761% since launch. The token previously hit a 12‑month high of $3.65 on July 17 2025 before retreating to its current price.
Forbes Weighs XRP’s Strengths Against Its Risks
Forbes emphasized XRP’s role in international payments as a key strength, noting that Ripple has secured partnerships with financial institutions, giving the token a practical use case that distinguishes it from many other cryptocurrencies.
At the same time, the report pointed out investor concerns. Unlike Bitcoin, which creates new coins through mining, XRP enters circulation when Ripple sells tokens from its holdings, sparking ongoing debate about Ripple’s influence over the token’s supply.
The publication also noted that Ripple co‑founder Chris Larsen still holds a substantial amount of XRP, a concentration of ownership that investors should weigh alongside the asset’s strengths.
However, its future remains dependent on Binance’s performance and the regulatory climate surrounding the exchange.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and BNB Lead the Rankings
Meanwhile, Bitcoin secured the top position with a market capitalization of $1.289 trillion, making it the largest cryptocurrency. Forbes describes it as digital gold and a store of value, but notes that its proof‑of‑work network consumes significant energy and processes transactions more slowly than newer blockchain platforms.
Ethereum ranked second with a market capitalization of $216.47 billion. Forbes highlights its pivotal role in smart contracts and decentralized applications, supported by a large developer community. Nonetheless, the network faces ongoing challenges with congestion and high gas fees.
BNB secured third place with a market capitalization of $77.36 billion. The publication noted its expanding use within the Binance ecosystem and the token’s regular supply‑burn mechanism.
However, its future remains dependent on Binance’s performance and the regulatory environment surrounding the exchange.
Forbes’ Focus on Utility and Market Size
Forbes explained that its rankings were based on criteria beyond price alone, emphasizing cryptocurrencies with practical utility and strong long‑term investment potential.
Market capitalization was a key factor in the selection process. Although Bitcoin and Ethereum together represent about 68% of the total crypto market, Forbes also considered other large‑cap projects that could balance growth potential with relative stability.
Applying those criteria, XRP earned the fourth spot. Forbes based the decision on its cross‑border payment functionality, institutional partnerships, and a market capitalization of $69.21 billion.