Binance Coin (BNB), the native token of the BNB Chain ecosystem, has achieved a historic milestone by surpassing XRP and Tether (USDT) to become the third-largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization, with a value of approximately $184 billion as of October 7, 2025. This positions BNB behind only Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), with XRP and USDT now ranking fourth and fifth, respectively, according to data from CoinGecko and CoinMarketCap. For crypto investors, traders, and blockchain analysts searching BNB third largest crypto, Binance Coin market cap surge 2025, or BNB overtakes XRP USDT, BNB’s ascent—marked by a 28% weekly price increase to $1,322 and new all-time highs above $1,350—reflects robust ecosystem growth on BNB Chain, including a 570% TVL surge to $2.34 billion on Aster Protocol and over 60 AI projects. The token’s outperformance—adding $6 billion in market cap in days—has sparked speculation of manipulation, but BNB Chain’s leadership in active addresses over Solana and Ethereum underscores genuine utility. As the total crypto market cap hits $4.23 trillion, BNB’s dominance at 4.3% signals a maturing altcoin season.
BNB’s rapid rise, from $100 billion in July to $184 billion today, highlights the token’s evolution from a utility coin to a cornerstone of DeFi and AI on BNB Chain.
BNB’s Market Cap Surge: Key Drivers
BNB’s ascent to third place is propelled by ecosystem momentum and strategic developments:
- Price Rally: BNB surged 50% monthly to $1,322, breaking $1,000, $1,200, and $1,300 resistance levels, with a 7% daily gain on October 7.
- BNB Chain Activity: Regained top spot for active addresses, surpassing Solana and Ethereum; TVL up 62% to $9.1 billion, led by Aster DEX’s 570% surge to $2.34 billion.
- DeFi and AI Growth: Over $512 million bridged in 30 days; 60+ AI projects, including agents and gaming, drive adoption.
- Regulatory Tailwinds: Kazakhstan’s government-backed BNB fund and Binance’s Web3 integrations bolster sentiment.
XRP trades at $2.94 (down 1.59% daily), with USDT stable at $1.
| Rank | Crypto | Market Cap ($B) | 24h Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitcoin | 2,300 | +1.2% |
| 2 | Ethereum | 568 | +8.4% |
| 3 | BNB | 184 | +7% |
| 4 | XRP | 178 | -1.59% |
| 5 | USDT | 178 | 0% |
Future Outlook: $2,000-$3,000 Targets Amid Controversy
Analysts like Crypto Patel forecast BNB at $2,000-$3,000 short-term, driven by DeFi TVL and AI integrations. However, speculation of manipulation—given BNB’s 5.5% outperformance vs. total market’s 5.5% gain—has sparked debate on X.
Conclusion: BNB’s Third-Place Triumph
BNB’s rise to third-largest crypto with $184 billion market cap is a DeFi and AI-fueled victory, overtaking XRP and USDT amid 28% weekly gains. As BNB Chain leads in activity, targets of $2,000-$3,000 loom. For altcoin investors, it’s momentum—will the rally sustain? The chains link. decrypt
