As we approach 2026, investors are on the lookout for new opportunities in the market.
One standout performer is Binance Coin [BNB], which has been quietly establishing a strong foundation. With a 27% increase in value over the year, BNB is the only top-five high-cap cryptocurrency that has maintained its green status while others have seen losses.
The divergence in performance is even more evident when looking at quarterly figures. Despite a challenging fourth quarter, BNB is still trading around 30% higher than its Q3 opening price.
Source: TradingView (BNB/USDT)
Despite market pressures in the crypto space, Binance Coin has shown resilience.
In a significant development, BNB has surpassed Ripple [XRP] in terms of market capitalization, marking a significant milestone. With a market cap exceeding $120 billion, BNB has now claimed the third spot among cryptocurrencies.
This shift is also reflected in the technical analysis.
By examining the XRP/BNB chart, we can see that the ratio has dropped by 8.5% in the past month, signaling a preference for BNB over XRP. This trend highlights the increasing momentum behind BNB.
The key question now is whether this positive momentum can be sustained into 2026.
Signs of Strength in BNB’s On-Chain Activity
While the broader altcoin market faces challenges, Binance Coin stands out for its strength.
Following a strong performance in Q3, which pushed the Altcoin Season Index to 80, BNB has shown resilience in Q4, with losses remaining below 80%. This indicates that investors are positioning themselves for a potential recovery.
On-chain data further supports this narrative.
In the DeFi space, Binance Smart Chain [BSC] has experienced only a modest 9% decline in Total Value Locked (TVL), reaching around $6.86 billion. In comparison, XRP’s DeFi activity has decreased by 30% to $68 million.
Source: DeFiLlama
Overall, the data indicates that capital is flowing towards Binance Coin, with investors showing a long-term commitment to the platform. This trend suggests that the strength of BNB against XRP is not a temporary blip, but rather a significant shift in the crypto market hierarchy.
With similarities to Binance Coin’s setup in 2025, 2026 could see further decline in the XRP/BNB ratio, positioning BNB for stronger relative returns among high-cap assets.
Key Takeaways
- Despite challenges in Q4 and losses in the altcoin market, BNB has shown resilience with a 27% annual increase and a 30% rise from its Q3 opening, indicating strength in the face of market uncertainties.
- While TVL on BSC has only declined by 9%, XRP’s DeFi activity has seen a 30% drop. The weakening XRP/BNB ratio suggests a potential long-term shift in market dynamics and high-cap rankings in 2026.