thecryptobasic.com
$XRP holders are comparing its current stage to the early days of the internet, arguing that the asset could follow the path of tech giants that dominated their industries.
Xaif Crypto, a well-known $XRP commentator, recently sparked the discussion on X. Specifically, he stated that $XRP is “the Google of crypto and we’re still in 2003.”
The view suggests that the digital asset is still in its early adoption phase despite its growing use cases. He added that once users experience $XRP-based payments, they rarely return to traditional systems, drawing a comparison to how Gmail overtook Hotmail in the early days of the internet.
Key Points
- Analyst likens $XRP to Google in 2003, arguing it’s still early despite rising real-world adoption and use cases.
- Supporters believe $XRP could become a core financial layer, similar to how tech giants dominated the early internet.
- Cross-border payments, projected to hit $290T by 2030, represent a major growth opportunity for $XRP.
- Ripple’s banking push and utility focus bolster the view that $XRP could be a long-term crypto pillar.
$XRP Early-Stage Narrative
The comparison reflects a popular belief among supporters that $XRP could become a foundational layer for global finance, much like Google became a cornerstone of the internet.
According to this perspective, the crypto market today mirrors the early 2000s, when multiple competing platforms existed, but only a few eventually dominated. Proponents argue $XRP is positioning itself as one of those long-term winners, particularly in the payments sector.
Cross-Border Payments as Key Opportunity
These claims from Xaif came in response to comments from crypto YouTuber Troy Black. Specifically, he pointed to the massive scale of the cross-border payments industry as a major opportunity for $XRP.
He noted that global cross-border transactions reached approximately $190 trillion in 2023 and could expand to $290 trillion by 2030. This projected $100 trillion increase highlights a vast market where faster and cheaper solutions could gain significant traction.
Black emphasized that any network capable of improving transaction speed while reducing fees would have a substantial advantage. In this context, $XRP’s design for near-instant settlement and low-cost transfers positions it as a potential contender in reshaping international payments.
Ripple’s Banking Ambitions Add Momentum
Another factor fueling optimism is Ripple’s ongoing deeper integration with traditional finance. The company has applied for a banking license, a step that could allow it to settle payments directly with central bank systems such as the Federal Reserve.
Such a development could significantly strengthen $XRP’s role in financial infrastructure, bridging the gap between crypto networks and institutional finance.
“Pillar” in the Crypto Economy
Black also framed $XRP as one of the potential “pillars” of the crypto industry, alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum. He compared the current landscape to the early internet era, when companies like Google and Yahoo competed for dominance, but only a few maintained long-term relevance.
While the comparison remains speculative, the idea underscores the belief among $XRP supporters that the asset’s real-world utility, particularly in payments, could help it stand the test of time.
Berkshire Hathaway Comparison
In December 2024, Wall Street analyst Linda Jones argued that selling $XRP now is like selling Berkshire Hathaway in its early days, urging investors to stay patient. She stressed $XRP is not a meme coin but a utility-driven asset with long-term potential, especially in cross-border payments.
Despite volatility, market sentiment and strong past gains reinforce her view that holding $XRP could yield significant future returns.