Isabella García
Monero (XMR), the leading privacy-centric cryptocurrency, has officially surpassed both Litecoin (LTC) and Toncoin (TON) in market capitalization, securing its place among the top 25 largest digital assets globally.
According to data from CoinGecko, Monero’s market cap has climbed to over $7.5 billion, overtaking Toncoin’s $7.48 billion and Litecoin’s $7.35 billion. This marks a significant “flippening” moment for the privacy-focused project.
Unlike many cryptocurrencies, Monero is built to offer full transaction anonymity by utilizing advanced privacy technologies such as ring signatures and stealth addresses. These tools obscure transaction amounts and participants, making it extremely difficult to trace on public blockchains.
While its robust privacy has drawn criticism and attention from regulators — and even some alleged usage by extremist groups — investor demand has continued to grow. Earlier this year, reports surfaced that a media outlet tied to ISIS-Pakistan sought donations in Monero, citing its privacy as a key benefit.
Price of XMR Doubles Amid Hype Over Upcoming Upgrade
Despite its controversial reputation, Monero’s price has more than doubled in 2025, now trading above $400 — a level not seen since early 2021, per PRIME. The rally is being attributed to anticipation around a major privacy upgrade and speculation about a possible re-listing on Coinbase, the largest U.S.-based exchange.
Litecoin and Toncoin Struggle as Monero Gains Ground
While Monero has surged, Litecoin has declined by 6% year-to-date, now trading below the $100 mark. Once dubbed the “silver to Bitcoin’s gold,” Litecoin has struggled to maintain relevance amid newer, faster competitors.
Meanwhile, Toncoin — tightly linked to Telegram’s ecosystem — has dropped 25% in 2025, weighed down by market volatility and limited exchange momentum.
