XRP vs. Solana comparison: Altcoin season 2025

Few things in crypto spark debate quite like the elusive "altcoin season." Traditionally, this refers to a brief period following a Bitcoin (BTC) rally when altcoins outperform BTC in cumulative returns. While past cycles saw clear alt seasons, 2025 has yet to deliver one in full force. But with major regulatory shifts and market movements shaking things up, could the tide be turning? Enter two of the most significant players in the space: XRP and Solana.

In one corner, XRP, backed by Ripple, is pushing to transform global payments with its blockchain-powered alternative to traditional finance. In the other, Solana is fueling Web3 with its ultra-fast, developer-friendly ecosystem. 

Both have seen wild price swings-XRP up 14% year-to-date, while Solana has faced a 33% pullback. Yet, zoom out two years, and a $1,000 investment in either would be worth around $6,500 today. 

Clearly, these two cryptos have staying power-but which one is better positioned for the future? 

XRP: The payment powerhouse gets regulatory clarity

XRP just scored a landmark win against the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), securing a $75M refund after a grueling four-year legal battle. With regulatory clarity finally in place, XRP can now focus on its core mission: revolutionizing cross-border payments.

RippleNet, already used by over 300 financial institutions, leverages XRP as a bridge currency to facilitate near-instant, low-cost global transactions. Traditional wire transfers take days and cost upwards of $50-XRP settles in seconds for just $0.0002. The $150 trillion global payments industry has long relied on SWIFT, a decades-old system with inefficiencies that XRP aims to disrupt. While competitors like Stellar and Hedera exist, Ripple's strong banking partnerships may give it a key advantage.

The broader crypto market is also benefiting from a pro-crypto shift in U.S. policy. With the new Trump administration embracing digital assets, the SEC has pulled back on enforcement, setting the stage for potential XRP adoption growth. Some analysts even give XRP a 65% chance of seeing a spot ETF approval-a move that could bring institutional money flooding in.

Solana: Web3’s rising star with explosive growth

While XRP has carved out a niche in finance, Solana is making waves as one of the fastest-growing blockchain ecosystems. Known for its lightning-fast transactions and low fees, Solana has become a hub for decentralized apps (dApps), smart contracts, and yes-meme coins.

Trump’s recent endorsement of the $TRUMP token, built on Solana, sent shockwaves through the market, with SOL prices holding strong above $140. At the same time, open interest in Solana derivatives exploded by $700M in a single day, signaling a surge in institutional positioning. Despite concerns over past sell-offs-like FTX’s massive SOL liquidation-Solana has remained resilient, bolstered by strong developer activity and rising transaction volumes.

Beyond speculation, Solana is emerging as a serious Ethereum competitor. Recent data shows it outpacing Ethereum in key areas like new developers, active addresses, and daily transactions. Meme coins-often dismissed as a fad-have helped drive engagement, with digital collectibles gaining regulatory acceptance from the SEC. Whether for gaming, DeFi, or tokenized assets, Solana’s ecosystem is proving its staying power.

The verdict? It’s not so simple

The battle between XRP and Solana isn’t just about price action-it’s about the future of crypto itself. XRP represents the promise of blockchain disrupting traditional finance, while Solana embodies the rapid evolution of Web3. With regulatory clarity improving and institutional interest rising, both cryptos could see significant growth in the months ahead.

So, is altcoin season finally here? The jury’s still out, but one thing’s clear: XRP and Solana are leading the charge in 2025’s altcoin showdown. Whether you lean toward banking innovation or decentralized ecosystems, the battle for dominance is far from over.

Technical outlook: XRP vs Solana

Despite positive news, XRP has not seen a breakout yet. Prices towering slightly above the moving average suggest that we could be entering into an upward longer-term trend. However, RSI staying flat at the midline hints at slowing momentum-meaning upward movement may be subdued. Key levels to watch on the upside are $2.584 and $2.653. On the downside, key support levels to watch are $2.369 and $2.273.

Solana is showing some bullish pressure on the daily chart as RSI rises steadily past the midline. However, prices remaining below the moving average suggest that the longer-term trend could still be bearish- a hint that there could be a further slide before upward momentum. Key levels to watch include $127.36 and $118.00 on the downside. On the upside, traders should monitor the $148.00 and $155.57 price levels.

You can get involved and speculate on the price of these two incredible assets with a Deriv MT5 account or a Deriv X account.