The cryptocurrency world is witnessing a fresh wave of momentum within the XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem, as meme coins built on the network surge in value and attention. While XRP itself has climbed 92% in just seven days, some of the most dramatic gains are being seen not in the flagship asset—but in speculative, community-driven tokens like ARMY, BEAR, and MAG. These digital assets, inspired by internet culture and fueled by social sentiment, are capturing the imagination of traders across blockchains.
This sudden spike isn’t just noise; it reflects a growing interest in XRPL as a viable alternative for decentralized trading and token creation. As investors seek new frontiers beyond oversaturated ecosystems like Solana and Ethereum, the relatively underdeveloped but functional infrastructure of XRPL is emerging as an attractive playground for early movers.
The Rise of ARMY: From Obscurity to $90 Million Market Cap
At the forefront of this movement is ARMY, an 18-month-old meme coin named after the passionate community of XRP supporters often referred to as the "XRP Army." What began as a niche project with less than $1 million in market capitalization on November 26 skyrocketed to over $90 million by early December—before settling around $47 million at the time of writing.
Such explosive growth has created life-changing returns for early adopters. According to data from DEX Screener, one trader turned a mere $478 investment into more than $100,000 in realized profit, with an additional $400,000 in unrealized gains—all within just 21 days. This kind of return is rare even in the volatile world of crypto, making ARMY a case study in how fast-moving sentiment can drive digital asset valuations.
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A Broader Ecosystem Awakening: BEAR, MAG, and Beyond
ARMY isn’t alone. Other meme coins on XRPL are experiencing exponential growth:
- BEAR: Inspired by bear markets and internet humor, BEAR has surged alongside ARMY, reaching a market cap near $30 million.
- MAG: Tied loosely to political and cultural themes, MAG has also broken into the top 10 XRPL-based meme coins by market value.
These tokens may lack traditional utility, but they thrive on narrative, community engagement, and low barriers to entry. Their rise signals that users are beginning to explore XRPL not just as a payments-focused blockchain but as a platform for decentralized finance (DeFi) innovation and social trading.
Tools enabling this shift include FirstLedger, a Telegram-based trading bot; Xaman, a user-friendly XRP wallet; and Magnetic X, a decentralized exchange (DEX) native to XRPL. Together, these platforms form the backbone of a growing self-sustaining ecosystem where retail investors can discover, trade, and speculate on emerging tokens.
Cross-Chain Attention and Onboarding New Users
The momentum hasn’t gone unnoticed. Influencers and traders from established ecosystems like Solana and Ethereum have started paying attention, with some creating tutorials to help their followers navigate XRPL’s unique environment.
One viral post asked:
“I can’t believe I’m asking this, but what meme coins do I buy on xrp?”
— @gainzy222, December 1, 2024
This shift marks a pivotal moment: when curiosity from external communities begins to flow in, it often precedes broader adoption. As more traders enter XRPL through meme coin speculation, they also gain exposure to its underlying strengths—low transaction fees, fast settlement times, and energy efficiency.
However, despite these promising signs, trading volume remains modest compared to larger ecosystems. For example, ARMY recorded nearly $10 million in 24-hour volume—a significant figure for XRPL—but pales next to Solana, where 34 different meme coins surpassed that same threshold during the same period.
Skepticism Amid the Hype: Is This Sustainable?
With rapid price increases comes inevitable skepticism. Not everyone is convinced that this trend represents long-term value creation.
“I refuse to buy meme coins on Ripple. It’s too much, even for a degen like me… Too much!”
— @criptopaul (Noodles), December 1, 2024
This sentiment echoes concerns about overheating and speculative excess. Critics argue that many of these tokens lack fundamentals and could collapse as quickly as they rose. Additionally, the infrastructure for trading and liquidity on XRPL—while improving—is still nascent compared to mature DeFi ecosystems.
Yet history shows that meme coins often serve as on-ramps for broader blockchain adoption. Dogecoin brought crypto to mainstream audiences; Shiba Inu introduced Ethereum-based DeFi to millions. Could ARMY and its peers play a similar role for XRPL?
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XRP’s Broader Momentum: ETF Speculation and Regulatory Clarity
The surge in meme coin activity coincides with major developments for XRP itself. Over the weekend, XRP briefly overtook Tether (USDT) to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization—an extraordinary feat driven by renewed optimism.
Key catalysts include:
- Growing speculation around a potential XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF).
- Increasing expectations of clearer regulatory guidance following ongoing legal discussions between Ripple and U.S. authorities.
These macro-level shifts are boosting confidence not only in XRP but in the entire XRPL ecosystem. When investors believe in the future of a base asset, they’re more likely to explore derivative opportunities—like meme coins—built on top of it.
FAQ: Your Questions About XRP Meme Coins Answered
Q: What makes ARMY different from other meme coins?
A: ARMY is deeply tied to the existing XRP community—the so-called "XRP Army"—giving it a built-in base of passionate supporters. Unlike many meme coins with no clear identity, ARMY leverages real-world community energy.
Q: Are XRP Ledger meme coins safe to trade?
A: As with any speculative asset, there are risks. Liquidity can be thin, smart contract audits may be lacking, and prices can be highly volatile. Always do your own research before investing.
Q: How do I start trading meme coins on XRPL?
A: You’ll need an XRP-compatible wallet like Xaman or Ledger, funded with XRP for gas fees. Then use decentralized exchanges like Magnetic X or trading bots like FirstLedger to swap into tokens like ARMY or BEAR.
Q: Can XRPL support large-scale DeFi like Ethereum or Solana?
A: While not yet at that level, XRPL is evolving rapidly. Its core strengths—speed, low cost, scalability—are ideal foundations for future DeFi expansion.
Q: Why are people suddenly interested in XRP meme coins?
A: The combination of XRP’s price surge, ETF speculation, regulatory progress, and low competition in the meme coin space has created a perfect storm of interest.
Q: Will ARMY reach a $1 billion market cap?
A: Predictions are risky, but if current momentum continues and more users join the ecosystem, such growth isn’t unthinkable—though it would require sustained engagement and broader adoption.
While the future of any meme coin is uncertain, the current surge in XRPL-based tokens highlights a broader truth: innovation often begins at the edges. As traders flock to ARMY and others, they’re not just chasing gains—they’re helping shape the next chapter of the XRP Ledger.
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