XRP has entered 2026 with renewed momentum. The token climbed to $2.27, rising around 25% in the first week of the year, as capital continued to flow into newly launched XRP exchange-traded funds. Since November, XRP ETFs have absorbed $1.3 billion in inflows, an unusually strong start by crypto ETF standards.
Yet behind the headlines, price action has been uneven, and questions remain about XRP’s long-term role in payments for everyday users. As markets digest the rally, attention is quietly shifting toward newer, retail-focused platforms such as Digitap ($TAP), which many analysts now include among the best crypto to buy in 2026.
ETF Demand Drives XRP’s Early-2026 Surge
XRP’s recent rise has been driven primarily by ETF demand. According to data from SoSoValue, XRP ETFs have recorded $1.3 billion in net inflows since Canary Capital’s launch in November, with no single day of net outflows, a rare streak in the crypto ETF space.
Improving regulatory clarity in the U.S. has also helped sentiment. Katherine Dowling, president of Bitcoin Standard Treasury Company, noted that investors are growing more comfortable with XRP’s legal position, which has supported institutional participation.
Why XRP’s Payments Model Still Feels Distant
On-chain data, however, tells a more complex story. Santiment shows that XRP transactions over $100,000 rose to 2,802 on January 6, the highest level in almost three months.
Normally, that kind of whale activity helps prices move higher. This time it didn’t. XRP failed to hold above $2.40 and slipped below $2.20, suggesting large holders are shifting positions rather than building new exposure.
Why Digitap ($TAP) Is Drawing Attention Beyond Price Moves
Digitap enters the market as a cross-border payments and crypto banking platform built for everyday use. Instead of focusing on institutional corridors, it allows individuals to receive, convert, and spend crypto and fiat in one place.
The app is already available on iOS and Android, with over 120,000 wallets connected so far. Instead of locking users into a single setup, Digitap lets users choose how they use the platform.
The Wallet Plan is the simplest option. It requires no KYC and allows users to store crypto, send and receive funds, and swap assets inside the app without transfer fees. It’s designed for quick access and basic use.
The Virtual Plan adds spending features. After completing KYC, users can create virtual cards, fund them with crypto, and spend anywhere cards are accepted, with automatic conversion to fiat at checkout.
The Pro Plan introduces full banking tools. It includes an offshore account, IBAN support, and access to SEPA and SWIFT transfers, along with physical cards linked to both crypto and fiat balances.
For users who need more flexibility, the Premium Plan removes most limits and adds personal support, while the Business Plan is built for companies handling cross-border payments, payroll, and expenses.
This structure lets users decide how much information to share and how far to go, without cutting off features for those who need compliant banking options.
$TAP Named Among The Best Crypto Presales With Rising Stage Prices
Digitap’s presale is moving in defined stages, with the token price increasing at each step rather than reacting to daily market swings. Early participants entered at $0.0125, and with the current presale price at $0.0411, those buyers are now up by roughly 230%.
The pricing doesn’t stop here. Digitap’s planned launch price is $0.14, which means the presale is still well below where the token is expected to begin public trading, leaving room for further upside.
Why Retail Use May Define Crypto’s Next Chapter
XRP’s ETF-driven momentum confirms its relevance in institutional finance, but price hesitation and whale repositioning suggest that long-term growth may depend on regulatory developments and retail usage rather than organic user adoption.
Digitap represents a newer approach to cross-border payments, one that is secure, decentralized, and designed for different types of users, not just institutions. For those evaluating the best crypto to invest in for the next phase of adoption, the debate may no longer be about which token rallies next, but which platforms people will actually use.
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