If you're looking to put $100 to work in the crypto market right now, you might be experiencing a case of sticker shock.

**Bitcoin**, despite its recent slump, is still trading close to $100,000. **Ethereum** is still trading above $3,000. And highfliers like **Solana** are still trading well above $100.

But not to worry, there's one bargain-priced cryptocurrency out there that's worth a closer look: **XRP**. Currently trading for just $2, XRP is an intriguing high-risk, high-reward crypto investment opportunity.

## How High Can XRP Go?

Within the near term, XRP has the ability to double in price. Earlier this year, XRP traded as high as $3.65, and it's not out of the question that it could soon make a run at its all-time high of $3.84.

If anything, that's a conservative estimate of just how high XRP might go over the next 12 to 24 months. According to Standard Chartered, XRP could be worth as much as $12.50 by 2028.

![XRP Stock Quote](https://g.foolcdn.com/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fg.foolcdn.com%2Fart%2Fcompanylogos%2Fmark%2FXRP.png&w=128&op=resize)

That might sound like pie-in-the-sky thinking, but it's actually based on the rising pace of institutional adoption for XRP. Known as "the banker's coin," XRP is primarily a bridge currency used to make efficient, low-cost, and extremely fast cross-border payments.

At one time, it was primarily individuals making these cross-border payments. They were sending money to family or friends abroad. For good reason, **Western Union** was among the early partners of Ripple, the company behind the XRP token.

However, it's now Wall Street banks and global financial institutions that are increasingly embracing XRP as a means to facilitate seamless cross-border money transfers. Blockchain technology has proven its worth as a means to transfer money globally quickly and efficiently, and XRP is at the forefront of this change.

![Young investor in blouse looking at smartphone in shock.](https://g.foolcdn.com/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fg.foolcdn.com%2Feditorial%2Fimages%2F846058%2Fshocked-investor-with-smartphone.jpg&w=3840&op=resize)

That's why price targets for XRP range as high as $100. These price targets are based on a view of the world in which the XRP blockchain ledger becomes the backbone of the modern financial system. In theory, this should lead to increased demand for the XRP token, which should push up its price over time.

Granted, the hype and buzz surrounding XRP has a tendency to get out of control. After all, in more than a decade, XRP has never once traded higher than a price of $4. So it's best to take $100 price targets with a grain of salt.

## How to Deploy $100 in XRP?

Prior to 2025, options for getting exposure to XRP were relatively limited. Investors typically had to sign up for an account with a major cryptocurrency exchange and then buy XRP in the spot crypto market.

But even that was challenging at times. After the SEC filed a lawsuit against Ripple in 2020, some U.S.-based cryptocurrency exchanges opted not to list the XRP token for trading out of an abundance of caution.

However, in August of this year, this SEC lawsuit against Ripple finally came to an end. Then, in November, a handful of new spot XRP exchange-traded funds (ETFs) launched.

All of these ETFs do only one thing: buy and hold XRP. So, by purchasing these ETFs, investors are getting 1:1 exposure to the price action of XRP. And they can do so via a regular brokerage account with the full blessing of U.S. regulators.

![XRP Stock Quote](https://g.foolcdn.com/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fg.foolcdn.com%2Fart%2Fcompanylogos%2Fmark%2FXRP.png&w=128&op=resize)

As a result, investors now have options for buying XRP. Instead of picking up 50 XRP tokens in the spot crypto market, they could, for example, use that $100 to buy five shares of the **Bitwise XRP ETF**. Or, they could just as easily buy spot XRP ETFs from the likes of Grayscale, Canary Capital, or 21Shares. By 2026, several more spot XRP ETFs are expected to start trading as well.

## Final Caveats for XRP Investors

That being said, investing in XRP via an ETF does not remove all risk from the equation. XRP remains a volatile and highly speculative cryptocurrency.

XRP is trading at a bargain price of $2 for a reason. It's coming off a bruising five-year legal battle with the SEC. It's facing new competition from stablecoins, which are digital currencies pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar. And it's dealing with the rise of new high-speed blockchains promising even faster and cheaper cross-border transfers.

That being said, a relatively modest investment could go a long way with XRP. If this high-risk, high-reward cryptocurrency ever delivers on its early promise, it could be the sort of home run investment that completely transforms a portfolio.

Currently trading at a bargain price of just $2, XRP boasts stratospherically high upside potential.

Is XRP the Ultimate Bargain Crypto? Discover Why This $2 Token Could Skyrocket!

Ethereum has made a significant move, soaring more than 6% today to break the $3,300 mark for the first time in nearly a month. This surge represents the largest gain among the top-5 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, with Ethereum's market cap now exceeding $400 billion. The token has rallied from a low below $2,700 to its current level, marking an impressive 23% increase over a short period.

### Key Drivers Behind Ethereum's Sharp Rebound

Investor optimism is being fueled by several key factors. **Capital inflows** into Ethereum's network have been strong, a trend that has persisted in recent weeks. This enthusiasm spans from retail investors to large entities like **BitMine Immersion Technologies**, which continues to acquire Ethereum at a notable pace.

### Recent Catalysts Boosting Ethereum

Two major developments have caught the attention of the market:
- **Robinhood** has launched staking capabilities for Ethereum and **Solana**, allowing investors to earn additional yield on their holdings through this centralized exchange. This move is seen as a positive for both tokens and the broader cryptocurrency industry.
- Regulatory news from the **Office of the Comptroller of the Currency** (OCC) has confirmed that U.S. banks can now legally conduct 'riskless principal' transactions in crypto assets. This could pave the way for increased institutional investment, potentially benefiting Ethereum and other top cryptocurrencies disproportionately.

### Ethereum's Position in the Market

As the world's second-largest token, Ethereum serves as a critical backbone for much of the **decentralized finance (DeFi)** sector. Its recent price action underscores its growing importance and investor confidence in its long-term value.

### Investment Considerations

While Ethereum's performance has been strong, it's worth noting that some analysts highlight other investment opportunities. For instance, certain stock recommendations have historically outperformed, but Ethereum's recent rally and ongoing catalysts make it a focal point for many in the crypto space.

### Market Sentiment and Outlook

The combination of **increased capital flow**, **new staking options**, and **favorable regulatory developments** suggests a bullish environment for Ethereum. However, investors should monitor these factors to assess whether the momentum can be sustained.

Key PointsEthereum is seeing even more capital flow into its network, a trend that's continued in recent weeks.

Ethereum Surges Past $3,300: Unpacking the 6% Rally and Key Catalysts Driving the Momentum

Bitcoin and cryptocurrency markets are experiencing volatility as traders brace for a potential Federal Reserve bombshell that could reshape the entire financial landscape.

## Market Uncertainty Amid Fed Speculation

After reaching an October peak of **$126,000 per bitcoin**, the cryptocurrency has struggled to maintain momentum, currently trading around **$90,000**. This uncertainty reflects broader market anxiety about upcoming Federal Reserve decisions that could dramatically impact risk assets.

![Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell is poised to begin growing the Fed's $6.6 trillion balance sheet—something that could lift stocks, crypto and the bitcoin price.](https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/69380fadd47513816f9b7a07/Federal-Reserve--Jerome-Powell--Fed--bitcoin--bitcoin-price--crypto--stock-market-/0x0.jpg?crop=974%2C538%2Cx1142%2Cy180%2Csafe&height=392&width=480&fit=bounds)

## Trump's Fed Chair Selection Takes Center Stage

President Donald Trump is actively interviewing candidates to replace current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, with the selection process creating significant market uncertainty. Trump has made it clear that **immediate interest rate cuts** are a "litmus test" for his preferred candidate.

Kevin Hassett, director of Trump's National Economic Council, emerges as the front-runner and would represent a **dovish choice** for Fed leadership. Analysts warn that rapid rate cuts under Hassett could potentially destabilize the **$30 trillion Treasury market**.

## The Fed's Balance Sheet Dilemma

Traders are looking beyond the December interest rate decision to focus on whether the Fed will begin growing its **$6.5 trillion balance sheet**. The central bank's quantitative tightening program, which reduced the balance sheet from over **$9 trillion** to current levels, has put pressure on risk assets like bitcoin by draining liquidity from the system.

Bank of America strategists predict the Fed will announce **$45 billion per month** in balance sheet growth starting in January, with $20 billion for "natural balance sheet growth" and $25 billion to address reserve drainage.

## Market Expectations and Potential Outcomes

The market currently prices in a **near-90% chance** of a Fed rate cut at the December FOMC meeting. However, analysts caution that the real impact will come from forward guidance about future monetary policy direction.

"The greater risk lies in deviation from expectations," noted Koinly CEO Robin Singh. "Any surprise that runs counter to market assumptions could unsettle sentiment and trigger further downside."

![The bitcoin price has fallen sharply since October as traders brace for a Federal Reserve game-changer that could blow up the bitcoin price, crypto and stock markets.](https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/6938183d10f07d59c6917d81/Federal-Reserve--Jerome-Powell--Fed--bitcoin--bitcoin-price--crypto--stock-market-/0x0.jpg?height=534&width=480&fit=bounds)

## Long-Term Implications for Bitcoin

Cathie Wood of Ark Invest has pointed to the Fed's easing liquidity conditions when reaffirming her firm's **long-term $1.5 million bitcoin price prediction**. The potential shift from quantitative tightening to balance sheet expansion could create favorable conditions for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Analysts at Tagus Capital noted that divisions at the Fed over the pace of interest rate cuts make the "eventual choice of Powell's successor in May 2026 even more consequential for bond yields, the dollar, and risk assets—including bitcoin."

As the financial world watches these developments unfold, the intersection of **monetary policy**, **political appointments**, and **cryptocurrency markets** creates a complex landscape where significant price movements could occur based on the Fed's upcoming decisions.

Traders are looking past the Fed’s December interest rate decision to whether its going to start growing its $6.5 trillion balance sheet and blow up stocks, crypto and the bitcoin price...

Fed's $30 Trillion Decision Looms: How Trump's Fed Pick Could Catapult Bitcoin to New Heights

GameStop (GME) shares tumbled **6%** on Wednesday following the release of disappointing third-quarter results, which highlighted the company's risky pivot toward digital assets. While the video game retailer managed to swing to an operating income of **$41.3 million** from a loss in the prior year, its core retail sales fell far short of Wall Street expectations.

## Bitcoin Holdings Contribute to Financial Strain

Adding to the company's woes, GameStop's substantial **Bitcoin (BTC-USD)** holdings resulted in a **$9.2 million unrealized loss** for the quarter. This loss stemmed from Bitcoin's price decline from approximately **$115,000 to $110,000** during the three months ending November 1, 2025.

## Cost Cuts Mask Deeper Sales Collapse

The mixed financial performance underscores GameStop's unusual strategy: aggressively cutting costs while sales continue to decline. The company reduced its Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses by **over 21% year-over-year**, which helped drive profitability. However, net sales plummeted to **$821.0 million**, a **4.6% year-over-year decline**, significantly missing analyst forecasts of around **$987.3 million**. Sales in hardware and accessories dropped **12%**, while software sales crashed **27%**. The only positive note came from the collectibles segment, which now accounts for nearly one-third of total revenue.

## Bitcoin Adds Volatility to Balance Sheet

GameStop's **4,710 BTC holdings**, valued at **$519.4 million** at quarter's end, were acquired earlier in the year using proceeds from a **$1.3 billion debt offering**. While the company's massive cash reserves—totaling **$8.8 billion** in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities—provide a buffer against bankruptcy and generate interest income, the decision to hold volatile Bitcoin introduces significant risk. Since the Bitcoin initiative was announced, GME shares have fallen **over 22%**, reflecting investor uncertainty about the company's dual identity as both a declining retailer and a speculative asset manager.

## Investor Uncertainty Persists

The key takeaway is clear: GameStop's core retail business is in **structural decline**. Although aggressive cost cuts led to a net profit swing, the simultaneous **$9.2 million Bitcoin loss** and substantial revenue miss triggered the stock's decline. The stock's ongoing volatility is fueled by speculation about how CEO **Ryan Cohen** will deploy the **$8.8 billion cash hoard**. This unanswered question leaves investors weighing the risks of digital asset exposure against the company's financial strength.

GameStop ($GME) shares fell sharply by 6% on Wednesday after the company’s third-quarter results revealed that its shift to digital assets and balance sheet dominan...

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