Ripple (XRP) Vs Stellar (XLM): Which Token Is Better to Hold?

Many people in the cryptocurrency space have compared Ripple’s XRP and Stellar’s XLM side by side because they have some things in common. Some even argue that XLM is a better version of XRP. Right now, a lot of attention seems to be on XRP because of price moves, victories, and even partnerships. But could it be better than XLM? If you have some money to buy one of the two right now, which could be the better choice?

This was discussed in one of David Hepburn’s YouTube channel videos. In the 10-minute piece, the analyst revisits a question that has divided crypto holders for years. If you had to choose between holding XRP or XLM tokens, which one would be the better long-term choice?

David begins the video by reminding viewers that this isn’t about price speculation. Instead, it’s about understanding the real-world use cases of both Ripple’s XRP and Stellar’s XLM, and what each token is designed to accomplish. According to David, while XRP often grabs the spotlight due to its connection with institutional banking, XLM has quietly built a strong case as the go-to token for retail remittances and humanitarian applications.

He also notes that this debate isn’t really about which token is “better.” It’s about which one aligns with your belief in where digital finance is headed. Are you more bullish on global banks and central bank digital currencies? Or do you believe the real adoption story lies in helping everyday people access better financial tools?

XRP vs XLM: Different Roads, Same Destination?

David Hepburn explains that the public often sees XRP as the “loud” token, thanks to its high market cap, media coverage, and growing list of institutional clients. XLM, on the other hand, is typically viewed as the underdog. But David challenges that idea. He explains that both tokens have quietly evolved into foundational layers of the modern financial system, just in different ways.

He references a previous video where he compared 400 XRP to 3,400 XLM, back when both had a combined value of $1,000. Today, their prices have shifted, but the deeper question remains: what are these tokens actually doing behind the scenes?

According to David, XRP is heavily focused on the back-end infrastructure of finance. Ripple has partnerships with over 10 governments working on CBDC projects. It’s becoming more than just a bridge for cross-border payments. The XRP Ledger now supports tokenized real-world assets and even collateralized lending. David believes this makes XRP attractive for large institutions looking for full-service financial infrastructure on-chain.

Meanwhile, XLM shines in regions where the financial system is broken or limited. Stellar’s partnership with MoneyGram is already enabling users to cash in and out of USDC in over 180 countries, even without a bank account. This is especially useful in parts of Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, where local currencies are failing. David points out that this is real-world adoption that solves real problems and not just theoretical use cases.

Ripple and Stellar Are More Alike Than You Think

David Hepburn reminds viewers that these two projects actually come from the same origin. Jed McCaleb, who co-founded Ripple, later launched Stellar to focus on a more open-source, retail-focused version of blockchain finance. That means XRP and XLM were never meant to compete. They were created to target different corners of the financial system.

He references a report from FXC Intelligence, a research firm trusted by institutions like the IMF. Their 2024 list of the top 100 companies in cross-border payments includes just two blockchain projects: Ripple and Stellar. That’s a major sign of validation. It shows that these two are not only surviving but are ahead of thousands of newer tokens flooding the market every year.

Ripple is working with high-value corridors and CBDC integrations. Stellar is offering cash-to-crypto solutions through stablecoins like USDC. This dual approach, one institutional and one humanitarian, is why David believes it’s smart to hold both tokens.

He adds that in his TikTok videos, comments often reveal the same pattern. Most people who hold XRP eventually discover XLM and end up holding both. Very few own only XLM. This reflects market psychology. XRP is seen as the gateway to understanding this space, while XLM earns its place once people look deeper into global use cases.

David also gives attention to what’s happening now. The crypto market has seen some corrections recently, but he notes that whale accumulation is still strong for XRP. According to him, there hasn’t been any sharp sell-off, which means large holders are still confident. For XLM, real-world adoption through projects like USDC off-ramps and humanitarian use cases continues to grow quietly in the background.

It May Not Be About Choosing One Between XLM ands XRP

In the end, David Hepburn makes it clear that XRP and XLM are not enemies. They are both working toward rebuilding parts of the financial system. XRP focuses on the top layers: central banks, institutional liquidity, tokenized assets. XLM focuses on the bottom like unbanked populations, micro-transactions, stablecoin conversions.

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His conclusion? You don’t need to choose just one. Instead, ask yourself what part of the future of finance you want to be exposed to. If you believe in banking transformation and tokenized value at a high level, XRP may be your pick. If you care about solving real access issues in emerging markets, XLM could be more compelling. But if you believe in both sides of that story, then the real answer might be to hold both.

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