In 2024, Bitcoin (BTC) remained one of the most dominant cryptocurrencies, reaching an all-time high above the elusive $100,000 mark.

While Bitcoin remains at the center of market debate, with some analysts predicting its continued dominance through 2025 with price predictions of up to $200,000, there are a few digital currencies worth keeping an eye on.

Backed by strong fundamentals, these contenders are likely to become key players in the new year.

XRP

The Ripple-related token has been a standout performer in the year-end cryptocurrency rally, breaking out of a prolonged consolidation phase below $1.

In 2025, XRP has every chance of potential dominance, which will be facilitated by regulatory changes, in particular, the current case between Ripple and the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

With the coming to power of the Donald Trump administration, the market expects more favorable regulation for cryptocurrencies. Trump has already nominated Paul Atkins, a cryptocurrency supporter, to be the chairman of the SEC.

If approved, Atkins is expected to push for a dismissal of the Ripple case or support a settlement. The resolution of this litigation is expected to restore investor interest in XRP, which has been significantly damaged by the lengthy litigation.

The new SEC leadership is also expected to approve the creation of a spot XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF), which could attract institutional investors.

Ripple's participation in the launch of the stablecoin further enhances XRP's value proposition beyond speculative trading.

At the time of publication, XRP was trading at $2.40, up more than 240% in the last 24 hours.

Technical indicators point to significant potential for price growth, and some analysts predict that the price of XRP could reach $5.

Solana (SOL)

Solana (SOL) is also positioned for potential dominance in 2025, driven by various fundamental factors. The expected launch of a Solana-based ETF in 2025 could attract institutional investment, which historically catalyzes price increases.

The platform's versatility and appeal to retail investors is evidenced by the growth in the market capitalization of Solana-based memecoins, which are ahead of other well-known cryptocurrencies.

In particular, the Solana ecosystem experienced notable growth in 2024, surpassing Ethereum for the first time since 2016. According to Electric Capital, Solana grew by 83% year-over-year, with 7,625 new developers joining the network compared to 6,456 Ethereum developers.

This growth has fueled a surge in the number of projects, with Solana sometimes surpassing Ethereum (ETH) in daily network activity. So if the Solana network avoids long downtimes in 2025, it will likely be of interest to investors.

At the time of publication, Solana was trading above $190, down 2% on the daily chart, while the asset has grown by 78% over the past year.

While XRP and Solana show significant potential for dominance in 2025, their success will largely depend on overall market dynamics.