21-3-2025 – Ripple’s Chief Executive Brad Garlinghouse has mounted a robust defence against long-standing allegations of anti-Bitcoin sentiment, marking a significant moment in the cryptocurrency discourse.
“The notion that I harboured anti-Bitcoin sentiments couldn’t be further from the truth,” Garlinghouse declared at the Blockworks-hosted summit. The executive went on to contextualise his previous remarks about Chinese control over Bitcoin, acknowledging that whilst this observation was once pertinent, the landscape has since evolved favourably for the industry.
The cryptocurrency market has witnessed remarkable developments, with XRP displaying particularly noteworthy performance metrics. The digital asset has achieved an impressive 380% surge since November’s rally, outpacing Bitcoin with a comparative gain of 288%. This robust performance comes amid growing institutional interest, as evidenced by Polymarket’s data suggesting an 82% likelihood of XRP ETF approval within the year.
Addressing the controversy, Garlinghouse took aim at what he termed “Bitcoin maximalists,” suggesting their approach hampers industry progress. “The era of maximalism as a hindrance to cryptocurrency advancement is waning, with fewer adherents to such outdated perspectives,” he remarked.
The dispute stems partly from internal communications that purportedly revealed Ripple’s stance on Chinese Bitcoin control. Notable figures in the cryptocurrency sphere, including Strike’s Jack Mallers, have publicly accused Ripple of attempting to undermine America’s strategic Bitcoin positions.
Looking ahead, Garlinghouse expressed optimism about XRP’s future, projecting the launch of spot XRP ETFs in the latter half of 2025. Market analytics from Santiment reveal substantial accumulation patterns, with wallets holding minimum one million XRP now controlling 46.4 billion coins, reflecting a 6.5% increase over two months.
Despite trading at $2.48 and experiencing a downward trajectory since December, XRP’s ecosystem shows remarkable vitality. March witnessed a sixfold increase in unique address creation, whilst significant holders continue their accumulation strategy, suggesting sustained confidence in the asset’s growth potential.
