A recently published CoinDesk chart evaluated major digital assets by comparing them to their late 2017 and early 2018 peaks. Bitcoin currently stands 314% above its previous high, Ethereum is up 66%, and Dogecoin has climbed 322%. BNB leads the group with a staggering 2,818% gain.
Trading near $1.33, XRP remains 62.5% under its January 2018 high. While most onlookers view this lag as a sign of weakness, crypto commentator Digital Asset Investor (@digitalassetbuy) offered a different perspective in a video response.
The Context CoinDesk Left Out
Digital Asset Investor highlighted a crucial omission in the chart’s comparison. XRP was the lone token on the list to endure persistent, multi-pronged assaults throughout that timeframe. Noting the five-year legal battle with the SEC, he remarked that XRP faced every imaginable form of hostility.
He also reminded the market of XRP’s position prior to the regulatory crackdown, when it had already surpassed Ethereum’s market capitalization and was steadily closing the gap with Bitcoin. In his view, the aggressive actions directed at Ripple and XRP were entirely deliberate.
Consequently, the prolonged regulatory pressure caused years of stunted growth compared to competing coins. However, Digital Asset Investor views these historical challenges as vital context rather than proof of failure.
XRP All Time High Coming pic.twitter.com/FOuNKjTBQ5
— Digital Asset Investor (@digitalassetbuy) October 17, 2026
Why He Remains Bullish On XRP
This history of artificial suppression serves as the foundation for the commentator’s strong conviction. Comparing XRP to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and BNB, he declared himself significantly more bullish on XRP than any of them.
With the legal battle concluded, the courts have officially established that XRP is not a security. Furthermore, the SEC has pivoted toward a more supportive stance on digital assets, recently introducing an Innovation Exemption to establish transparent guidelines, alongside similar efforts from the CFTC.
The regulatory barriers that previously impeded XRP for years have been cleared. Summing up the current landscape, Digital Asset Investor stated that all roadblocks have been removed.
What He Expects Next
Digital Asset Investor has indicated that he has no plans to liquidate his core XRP holdings if prices reach $5 to $10, viewing those levels as premature exit points. While the CoinDesk data highlights XRP’s past underperformance, he interprets the metrics as evidence of a coiled asset ready to break out now that its major hurdles are gone. Ultimately, he anticipates that XRP will reclaim and surpass its previous all-time high.