XRP, Solana, and Ethereum all closed last week in the red, with XRP and Solana down 3%, and Ethereum down a modest 1%.
May has been one of Ethereum’s strongest months historically, with an average return of 27% and gains in six out of nine years, while XRP and Solana have shown mixed results.
Ethereum could be the safest bet for upside right now, but XRP could take the top spot if the CLARITY Act passes. Solana’s upside depends on geopolitical tensions easing and the CLARITY Act passing.
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XRP (CRYPTO: XRP), Solana (CRYPTO: SOL), and Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) all closed last week in the red. XRP and Solana both fell 3%, sliding to $1.39 and $83 respectively, while Ethereum fell 1% to $2,300. The recent downside has crypto investors worried, with many wondering which of the three coins is the best buy right now.
Ethereum has historically performed well in May—closing higher in six out of the last nine years—while XRP and Solana have shown mixed performances. However, 2026 could be different, as crypto assets are battling pressure from external forces. We analyzed which of these three coins has the best upside right now and what you should watch for before making any investment decision.
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Which Coin Offers the Strongest Risk–Reward Right Now?
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Determining which coin offers the best opportunity requires examining how each asset has performed in May. Ethereum has the most consistent record of positive returns during this period. ETH has posted gains in May in six out of the last nine years, with standout performances in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2025.
During these years, the Ethereum price gained 60%, 161%, 63%, and 41%, driven by different catalysts in each cycle—bull market momentum, ICO mania in 2017, network upgrades, and ETF inflows in 2025. When ETH ended May with a loss, like the 54% drop in 2018 and 29% in 2022, it was usually because buyers pulled back and the market cooled off after a strong run.
Solana’s performance in May is less predictable. The coin’s strongest performances—a 30.5% gain in 2024 and 6% growth in 2025—came when DEX volume, developer activity, and meme coin cycles were strong. When those metrics weakened, Solana underperformed, as seen in 2022 and 2023 when it declined by 46% and 8% respectively. SOL does not initiate rallies in May, historically, as its performance tends to follow momentum already in place.
XRP’s May performance shows how volatile the market can be. Among all three coins, XRP recorded one of the highest gains in May—378% in 2017 and 40% in 2019. But the coin has also recorded sharp declines, like the 34% drop in 2021 and 28% decline in 2022.
The XRP price’s performance has been tied to specific events. The rally to its $3.65 cycle high in July 2025 was a 76% gain from January, driven by a combination of catalysts including Trump’s pro-crypto stance, the SEC settlement nearing finalization, and ETF approval anticipation. Without those triggers, XRP struggles against bearish forces.
While historical trends favor Ethereum for consistent returns in May, market conditions in 2026 are different from past cycles, leaving room for any of these three coins to deliver gains.
What to Watch Before Choosing Between XRP, Solana, and Ethereum
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Before deciding which of these three coins has the best setup, these are some key factors to watch for.
XRP
Regulatory clarity has been the most talked-about issue among XRP holders. The SEC and CFTC identified XRP as a digital commodity in March, but without legislation to seal that status—like the CLARITY Act—another administration could reverse this position.
The CLARITY Act is widely expected to drive the next XRP rally. U.S. Senators Lummis and Thom Tillis are encouraging Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott to set a markup date for the bill. If this happens by the second week of May, XRP could rally back to $2, and set the stage for a move back toward the $3.65 cycle high.
Solana
April was Solana’s first green month in 2026, with a modest 1.30% gain. The Solana Foundation has been pushing ecosystem development through partnerships—like the Shinhan Card deal that opens stablecoin transactions to over 28 million cardholders on Solana. Solana’s real-world asset ecosystem also hit a new all-time high of $2.5 billion in total on-chain value.
With more partnerships and ecosystem developments, investor confidence could improve and push the Solana price above $100—a 20% gain from its current price.
Ethereum
May has historically been Ethereum’s strongest month, delivering an average return of 27%. To gauge whether 2026 will follow the pattern, look beyond past performance and focus on ETF inflows and how the market is pricing the Glamsterdam upgrade.
SoSoValue data shows that Spot Ethereum ETFs recorded about $356 million in inflows in April, with early May already adding $101 million. That level of inflows signals institutional players are taking bullish positions, giving Ethereum a solid base.
Ethereum has a reputation for pricing in upgrades early, with the coin rallying in expectation. The Glamsterdam upgrade, which would enhance L1 scalability and decentralization, is expected before the end of H1 2026. Expectations around the upgrade could boost ETH’s momentum and push the price toward $3,000—a 30% upside from current levels.
Which Altcoin Has the Best Upside Right Now?
Ethereum has the most balanced setup because its positive performances in May haven’t relied on any single event. XRP’s chances could improve quickly if the CLARITY Act passes—the coin has always rallied on the back of a single major event, and the bill is exactly the sort of catalyst it needs to deliver outsized returns.
Solana’s chances for upside in May are unpredictable. The Solana Foundation’s developments and partnerships have not triggered any price rally holders would expect. With the CLARITY Act’s passage and a favorable geopolitical environment, market sentiment could improve and pull Solana higher with it.
That said, if these events don’t happen in May, Ethereum is still the safest bet of the three cryptos based on its history.
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