With the second half of 2025 now underway, the cryptocurrency market is in a consolidation phase, led by Bitcoin (BTC), which is trying to establish support above the $110,000 level.
In this environment, investors are possibly weighing which cryptocurrencies offer the best upside. Two tokens, XRP and Stellar (XLM), are emerging as notable contenders.
Both are designed to enable fast, low-cost cross-border transactions, but they differ in their market positioning, use cases, and adoption strategies. To help determine which asset shows more promise for the remainder of the year, Finbold asked OpenAI’s ChatGPT for its insights.
XRP
As of July 6, 2025, XRP is trading at approximately $2.27, with a market capitalization of roughly $134 billion, placing it among the top-valued cryptocurrencies.
Backed by Ripple, ChatGPT noted that XRP has cemented a strong presence in the institutional financial sector, driven by integrations with banks, involvement in central bank digital currency (CBDC) projects, and its On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) services.
XRP’s recent bullish momentum, according to ChatGPT, is supported by solid fundamentals, high liquidity, and increased regulatory clarity following Ripple’s partial legal victory against the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission. If market conditions remain favorable, the token could retest the $3 to $4 range, buoyed by its expanding institutional footprint.
XLM
Meanwhile, Stellar’s XLM is trading at approximately $0.244, with a market cap of about $7.4 billion. Although much smaller in scale than XRP, ChatGPT noted that XLM focuses on financial inclusion, peer-to-peer transfers, microtransactions, and remittances, primarily through its partnership with MoneyGram.
XLM may appeal to investors seeking higher percentage-based returns, particularly during altseason rallies or periods of speculative activity.
However, ChatGPT noted that the token has historically underperformed compared to XRP and remains less prominent in the institutional space. Its future growth will likely depend on Stellar’s ability to strike new partnerships and grow its ecosystem.
The verdict
Given the differences in scale, adoption, and investor sentiment, ChatGPT offered a clear conclusion: XRP stands out as the stronger buy for the second half of 2025.
Ripple’s institutional reach, improving regulatory outlook, and deep exchange liquidity all contribute to a more stable, lower-risk investment profile.
Still, for investors with a higher risk tolerance, ChatGPT acknowledged that XLM could serve as a speculative addition to a diversified portfolio, especially if market sentiment shifts or the Stellar network gains meaningful traction.
Ultimately, while both assets aim to reshape global payments, ChatGPT’s analysis suggests that XRP is better positioned to deliver consistent returns in the months ahead.
Featured image via Shutterstock
