Long-term conviction remains one of the most difficult disciplines in crypto investing. Markets reward patience inconsistently, often forcing investors to endure long periods of doubt before clarity emerges. XRP’s decade-long journey reflects this reality, as early holders navigated volatility, skepticism, and regulatory pressure while the broader market repeatedly shifted its focus.
That perspective returned to the spotlight after crypto analyst John Squire shared a retrospective post on X examining the outcome of a long-term XRP investment that began in 2016. His analysis reframed XRP’s story through the lens of endurance rather than short-term price action, prompting renewed discussion around the power of holding through full market cycles.
What a 2016 XRP Investment Looks Like Today
In 2016, XRP traded at an average price near $0.0069, a period when the asset operated far outside mainstream investor attention. A $10,000 allocation at that time would have accumulated approximately 1.45 million XRP tokens.
The market largely viewed XRP as an experimental payments token, and few anticipated its eventual role in institutional blockchain finance.
🧠 Visionary Moves 🧠
If you dropped $10K into $XRP in 2016 and held tight…
You didn’t just survive the market, you became the market. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/MUQ8tIj1O9
— John Squire (@TheCryptoSquire) January 22, 2026
As of January 2026, XRP trades close to $2.00, placing the value of that same holding just above $3 million. Even when adjusting for price differences across exchanges and timeframes, the return is still over 300 times the initial investment over the past decade. Getting in early and staying invested can be more profitable than actively trading, especially for certain assets.
The Cost of Holding Through Market Cycles
XRP’s path to this valuation tested investor resilience. Holders endured the 2018 market collapse, extended bear markets, and prolonged underperformance relative to newer narratives. The regulatory standoff between Ripple and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission further intensified uncertainty, suppressing sentiment for years.
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— TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025
Despite these pressures, XRP holders who maintained their positions avoided the common pitfall of selling during periods of peak pessimism. Their experience highlights how emotional discipline often matters more than analytical precision in long-term investing.
XRP’s Transition Into Financial Infrastructure
By 2026, XRP’s fundamentals tell a markedly different story. The XRP Ledger now supports efficient cross-border settlements, on-chain liquidity, and tokenized value transfer at scale. Financial institutions increasingly recognize its speed, low transaction costs, and reliability as practical advantages rather than theoretical promises.
A Broader Lesson for Crypto Investors
John Squire’s reflection ultimately reinforces a timeless lesson. Conviction backed by utility, consistent network development, and patience can compound quietly over time. XRP’s long-term holders did not just survive crypto’s volatility. They positioned themselves on the right side of time, where infrastructure matures, and narratives eventually follow.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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