Market Momentum Builds as the Year Begins, with Whales Targeting Top-Performing Projects

Ripple (XRP) focuses on cross-border payments, Binance Coin (BNB) enhances blockchain usability with new features, while Solana (SOL) improves scalability and sustainability.

As 2025 begins, market momentum is building on expectations of pro-crypto policies and whales are turning their attention to top-performing projects.

Here's a closer look at Ripple (XRP), Binance Coin (BNB), Solana (SOL), Ethereum (ETH), and a promising newcomer, PlutoChain ($PLUTO).

Ripple (XRP) focuses on cross-border payments, Binance Coin (BNB) enhances blockchain usability with new features, while Solana (SOL) improves scalability and sustainability.

Ethereum (ETH) continues to lead decentralized finance and Layer-2 advancements, and PlutoChain ($PLUTO) introduces a Layer-2 solution that could tackle Bitcoin’s scalability challenges.

XRP, BNB, Solana, and Ethereum might continue to dominate the market with innovations in their respective fields. Among these, PlutoChain might stand out for its potential to transform Bitcoin’s scalability with its cutting-edge Layer-2 solution.

By addressing Bitcoin’s key challenges, PlutoChain could position itself as a top player in the weeks to come.

As of January 19, 2025, XRP is trading at $3.13, with a 24-hour range between $3.04 and $3.28. Its market capitalization stands at $180.17 billion, supported by a 24-hour trading volume of $9.95 billion.

Over the past day, the token has appreciated by 1.1%, and over the last month, it has climbed 41.1%. XRP’s all-time high of $3.40, achieved on January 7, 2018, is now just 7.9% above the current price.

The RSI is currently at 52, which means XRP is in the neutral zone.

Ripple has been locked in a legal battle with the SEC since 2020 over allegations that XRP sales were unregistered securities.

In a partial victory in 2023, a court ruled that XRP isn’t a security for retail transactions, though institutional sales were deemed otherwise.

While appeals are still ongoing, Ripple continues to expand. It acquired crypto custody firm Metaco in a $250 million deal and gained approval in Singapore to provide digital payment services.

In 2024, Ripple made its move into the stablecoin space with RLUSD, taking on competitors like Tether and USDC.

According to crypto analyst Brian, XRP might briefly dip into the $2.90–$3.05 range before bouncing back to $3.90.

As of January 19, 2025, BNB is trading at $703.41, with a 24-hour range between $681.44 and $714.62.

Its market capitalization stands at $102.55 billion, supported by a 24-hour trading volume of $1.73 billion.

Over the past day, the token has appreciated by 0.6%, and over the last month, it has climbed 4.6%. BNB’s all-time high of $788.84, achieved on December 4, 2024, is now just 10.8% above the current price.

The RSI is currently at 50, which puts BNB in neutral territory.

A major highlight for BNB was the successful completion of the BNB Chain Fusion, which unified functionalities and phased out the BNB Beacon Chain.

In November 2024, the network carried out its 29th quarterly token burn and permanently removed 1.77 million BNB worth $1.07 billion from circulation.

The platform also introduced key updates to enhance user experience.

The BNB Chain Bridge now includes a confirmation popup for added security, and the BNB Chain Portal has been upgraded to version 1.3.0, featuring a User Center where developers can manage their dApps and profiles more efficiently.

Wallstreet Queen says that BNB/USDT has broken out of a symmetrical triangle on the daily chart, with potential price targets of $750 and $800.

As of January 19, 2025, Solana (SOL) is trading at $272.24, with a 24-hour range between $248.16 and $293.31.

Its market capitalization stands at $132.57 billion, supported by a 24-hour trading volume of $29.49 billion. Over the past day, the token has appreciated by 7.3%, and over the last month, it has climbed 41.8%. SOL’s all-time high of $275.87, achieved on January 19, 2