Bitcoin Isn’t the Only Game Anymore — These 4 Cryptos Are Catching Wall Street’s Eye

Washington, D.C. — A regulatory shift at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is reshaping the digital currency landscape, with Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Solana (SOL), and Cardano (ADA) emerging as frontrunners in a space long dominated by Bitcoin.

Earlier this year, the SEC repealed SAB 121, a controversial accounting rule that had prevented banks from holding cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets. The reversal, quietly endorsed by both chambers of Congress and supported by a coalition of financial lobbyists, is now accelerating institutional movement into a broader range of digital assets.

Bridger Pennington, host of Investment Fund Secrets, said the policy change marks a clear turn in Washington’s crypto stance. “It’s the most pro-crypto environment we’ve seen from the U.S. government,” Pennington said. “The SAB 121 repeal signals that digital assets are being positioned as long-term instruments—not speculative tokens.”

As banks, hedge funds, and retail brokerages recalibrate their strategies, a handful of cryptocurrencies are seeing renewed interest—not for hype or volatility, but for their structural advantages and institutional alignment.

Ethereum: Network Infrastructure, Not Just a Coin

Ethereum has recorded a 45% price jump in the last month, outpacing Bitcoin’s 14%, after completing its Pectra upgrade—an overhaul that improved transaction speeds, scalability, and network efficiency. But it’s not just price action attracting investors.

Ethereum powers decentralized applications (dApps), smart contracts, and is the base layer for most DeFi protocols. Its value lies in its functionality—not merely its token price. With the SEC expected to issue staking guidance in Q3, Ethereum’s appeal as an institutional-grade asset is growing.

Ripple: A Settlement Engine With Regulatory Traction

Ripple’s XRP token isn’t marketed as a consumer cryptocurrency. Instead, it's being built out as an infrastructure solution for banks and payment processors. Over 300 financial institutions are already using Ripple’s On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) product, which allows for real-time cross-border transactions without the need for pre-funded accounts.

XRP’s average transaction time is between three and five seconds—compared to Bitcoin’s 10 minutes or SWIFT’s 24 to 72 hours. That speed, combined with regulatory wins in courts over the past year, has brought Ripple back into conversations about modernizing financial rails.

Solana: The Developer Chain for Scale and Speed

Solana’s case for long-term relevance hinges on throughput and cost. With the ability to process over 65,000 transactions per second and average fees well below one cent, Solana has become the preferred chain for high-volume decentralized applications, particularly in gaming, NFTs, and microfinance.

Though the network has faced reliability issues—including multiple outages in 2022—developers have continued to build on it. According to data from Electric Capital, Solana has the second-highest developer retention rate in crypto, behind only Ethereum.

Cardano: Academic Roots, Emerging Market Focus

While many crypto projects tout speed and scale, Cardano is positioned as a platform for institutional and governmental use cases. Built using peer-reviewed research and formal methods, Cardano has launched blockchain-based initiatives in Ethiopia and partnered with academic institutions for digital identity and supply chain solutions.

Its proof-of-stake consensus mechanism consumes a fraction of the energy Bitcoin uses, addressing sustainability concerns that remain a sticking point for large investors and ESG-focused funds.

Why Crypto Is No Longer Just About Bitcoin

Bitcoin remains the market’s largest cryptocurrency by market cap, but it no longer stands alone. BlackRock’s recent inclusion of Ethereum in its proposed spot ETFs, Fidelity’s expansion into DeFi-based portfolios, and bipartisan support in Congress for crypto tax clarity are indications that the next cycle of crypto investment may not be centered on Bitcoin alone.

“The narrative is moving away from ‘Bitcoin or bust,’” said a senior analyst at Galaxy Digital. “What we’re seeing now is a focus on infrastructure, utility, and regulatory compatibility. That’s where Ethereum, Ripple, Solana, and Cardano are gaining real ground.”

Also Read: Dogecoin vs. Cardano: Which Crypto Could Still Make You Rich in 2025?