While Bitcoin consolidates near $103,000 and Ethereum cools off after a 40% rally, XRP and Solana are now stepping into the spotlight. Over the past week, both altcoins have delivered strong price performance, technical breakouts, and a surge in investor interest. With capital rotation accelerating across the crypto market, XRP and Solana appear to be the primary large-cap beneficiaries of the next phase in the altcoin cycle.
Solana has surged past $170 with rising on-chain activity, while XRP is now flirting with a historic milestone — closing in on Tether’s position in total market cap. These developments are not just isolated pumps, but part of a broader rotation that confirms: altcoin momentum is real, and it’s accelerating.
Solana Price Analysis – Breakout Confirmed, TVL Nears $10B
Solana’s price has broken above the key resistance zone at $170–175, currently holding firm at $174.63. After bottoming around $125 in April, SOL has rallied nearly 40% in less than three weeks. Technical indicators suggest further upside, with volume surging and RSI staying within bullish ranges.
Source: Tradingview
But the most impressive signal comes from DeFi metrics. According to DeFiLlama, Solana’s Total Value Locked (TVL) has reached $9.27 billion as of May 13, 2025. That’s nearly double its level from just two months ago — and close to the all-time highs seen in early 2022.
This resurgence in TVL reinforces Solana’s utility across decentralized exchanges, liquid staking, and GameFi protocols. With DEX volume exceeding even Ethereum in some days, and transaction fees remaining ultra-low, Solana is proving its scalability narrative in real-time.
XRP Rally – Nearing Tether in Market Capitalization
XRP has quietly built momentum over the past 10 days and is now trading at $2.54, after breaking through resistance near $2.40. What’s more impressive than the price action is the shift in market cap. With a valuation approaching $110 billion, XRP is now just below Tether’s $113 billion, threatening to reclaim the third-largest spot in crypto rankings.
Source: Tradingview
This rally comes amid renewed interest from Asian markets — particularly South Korea, where XRP remains one of the most traded assets on Upbit and Bithumb. On-chain data also suggests rising activity among whale wallets, indicating institutional accumulation.
Technically, XRP is forming an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern with a short-term target of $2.90–$3.11, levels not seen since early 2022. If the rally continues and XRP overtakes Tether, it could trigger further speculative momentum from retail investors.
Altcoin Rotation Accelerates – XRP and Solana Take the Lead
Ethereum may have kickstarted the latest phase of the altcoin cycle with its breakout last week, but now the rotation is clearly spreading to other large-cap altcoins. XRP and Solana are showing stronger relative strength compared to peers like Cardano and Avalanche.
This pattern matches what many analysts describe as “Phase 2” of the cycle, where money flows from Bitcoin to Ethereum, then into top altcoins like SOL and XRP. A full rotation would eventually bring smaller-cap coins and memecoins into the mix — a trend that already appears to be starting with the rise in tokens like PEPE and TRUMP.
Final Thoughts – XRP and Solana Are Just Getting Warmed Up
The altcoin market is heating up fast — and XRP and Solana are leading the charge. Both have strong technicals, strong narratives, and growing support from whales and retail traders alike. Solana’s TVL surge and XRP’s market cap milestone aren’t just side notes — they’re key signs that momentum is real and building.
If the current rotation continues, these two assets could remain at the forefront of the altcoin rally heading into summer. For now, all eyes are on Solana pushing toward $190, and XRP attempting to flip Tether on the leaderboard. Don’t be surprised if that happens sooner than expected.
