Stellar and XRP Communities Clash Over Controversial Social Media Jab

A tweet from Build on Stellar ignited a heated dispute with the XRP community, highlighting the ongoing rivalry between these two cryptocurrencies.

• Feud between Stellar and XRP communities intensifies
• Build on Stellar’s post criticizes Ripple amid SEC legal battle
• XRP community responds with accusations and calls to sell XLM
• Shared history between Stellar and XRP through co-founder Jed McCaleb
• Differences in design, distribution, and consensus mechanisms between the two

The latest flare-up in the simmering rivalry between Stellar (XLM) and Ripple’s XRP communities was sparked by a tweet from Build on Stellar. The post, which poked fun at Ripple during its ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), did not sit well with the XRP community. The backlash was immediate, with many XRP supporters calling for a sell-off of XLM tokens and accusing Stellar of being a mere copycat of the XRP Ledger.

XRPL validator Vet didn’t hold back, quipping,

“Imagine forking the XRP Ledger and calling it progress.”

This sentiment reflects the frustration felt by many in the XRP community, who view Stellar’s project as derivative rather than innovative. But is the feud just a digital soap opera, or is there more blockchain drama beneath the surface?

It’s worth noting that Stellar and XRP share a common origin story. Both were co-founded by Jed McCaleb, who also served as Ripple’s chief technology officer before leaving to start Stellar. This shared history has led to a high correlation in their trading patterns, often moving in tandem despite their differences. But let’s not forget, crypto markets love drama, and these two have been giving us plenty.

These differences are significant. Stellar focuses on providing financial services to individuals and small businesses, particularly in underserved markets. In contrast, XRP is primarily used for interbank settlements. They also diverge in their consensus mechanisms—the way the system agrees on transaction validity—and token distribution strategies, which essentially means how the cryptocurrency is spread among users. Stellar takes a more decentralized approach, while XRP’s distribution has been more centralized, leading to some raised eyebrows in the crypto community.

Last November, Jed McCaleb took to social media to defend Stellar against its critics. He described it as

“the most underrated cryptocurrency project,”

emphasizing its high transaction volume and real-world usage. McCaleb stated,

“Many real people are already using it for actual real-world transactions.”

His comments underscore Stellar’s mission-driven approach and its focus on tangible impact. But can Stellar really shake off the copycat label and stand on its own?

Meanwhile, Ripple has been making moves of its own. Despite the SEC lawsuit, the company has plans to expand its reach, including a planned adoption of the XRP Ledger by all Japanese banks by 2025 and a partnership with Chainlink to integrate its RLUSD stablecoin into DeFi applications on the Ethereum blockchain. These developments highlight Ripple’s commitment to broadening its influence beyond traditional finance. But with the SEC lawsuit still looming large, can Ripple keep its momentum?

Ripple’s CEO Brad Garlinghouse has even hinted at the possibility of leaving the U.S. market if the lawsuit results unfavorably, a decision that could have significant implications for XRP’s price and market position. It’s like watching a high-stakes game of chess, but with more regulatory hurdles.

The feud between Stellar and XRP is more than just a dispute between two competing cryptocurrencies. It’s a reflection of the broader dynamics at play in the crypto world, where community loyalty, regulatory scrutiny, and the quest for innovation often collide. As both projects continue to evolve and expand, the tension between them may well continue to simmer. But let’s not forget, a little rivalry can sometimes drive innovation, even if it means more drama for us to enjoy.

Key Takeaways and Questions

• What sparked the recent escalation in the feud between Stellar and XRP?

  A social media post from Build on Stellar that took a dig at Ripple amid its legal battle with the SEC.

• How did the XRP community react to Build on Stellar’s post?

  The XRP community responded with criticism, including calls to sell XLM tokens and accusations of Stellar copying XRP Ledger.

• What is the connection between Stellar and XRP?

  Both were co-founded by Jed McCaleb, leading to a high correlation in their trading patterns due to their shared history.

• What are the key differences between Stellar and XRP?

  Stellar and XRP differ in their design, token distribution, and consensus mechanisms, despite their shared origins.

• How did Jed McCaleb describe Stellar in his defense last November?

  He described Stellar as the “most underrated” cryptocurrency project, highlighting its high transaction volume and real-world usage.

• What are the potential future impacts of the SEC lawsuit on Ripple?

  The lawsuit could force Ripple to leave the U.S. market, affecting XRP’s price and market position.