Zcash and NEAR Protocol are emerging as stronger long-term investment options compared to XRP, primarily due to their supply policies. As of October 8, 2026, Zcash has surged 120% this year, while NEAR Protocol has gained 190%, contrasting with XRP's 28% decline. These gains are attributed to mechanisms that link network activity to supply constraints, which XRP lacks.
Zcash is implementing a new mechanism that will use 60% of its network transaction fees to remove coins from circulation starting November 5, 2026. This move aims to constrict supply over the medium term, potentially supporting higher prices. NEAR Protocol, on the other hand, has cut its maximum annual issuance from 5% to 2.5% and has been aggressively buying back its tokens, with buybacks worth $3.1 million in Q3 2026, up from $760,000 in Q1.
XRP's network destroys transaction fees, but the amounts are minimal, with only 14.4 million of the original 100 billion XRP destroyed so far. Ripple can unlock up to 1 billion XRP monthly from escrow, and data shows XRP's circulating supply rose from 59.9 billion in October 2025 to 63.1 billion a year later, with no significant value routed back to holders.
NEAR Protocol's flagship service, Intents, facilitates cross-chain token swaps, addressing a critical need in the crypto space. This service has generated increasing revenue, which is used for buybacks, further tightening supply and supporting higher prices. In contrast, XRP's original vision as a bridge currency for international transfers has not materialized as successfully.