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- Zafar Naik
Zafar Naik
- Reviewed by:
Qadir AKQadir Ak is the founder of Coinpedia. He has over a decade of experience writing about technology and has been covering the blockchain and cryptocurrency space since 2010. He has also interviewed a few prominent experts within the cryptocurrency space.
- Sep 04, 2025 09:08 UTC
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Ripple CTO Claps Back at Litecoin Influencer in Viral XRP vs. LTC Debate
Ripple CTO David Schwartz clapped back at a Litecoin influencer who called XRP “a psychological operation” and questioned its value.
The feud follows viral posts from Litecoin’s official X account mocking XRP’s banking narrative.
Market data shows XRP’s dominance with a $281B valuation, strong institutional inflows, and multiple ETF filings.
Crypto Twitter is buzzing after a sharp exchange between Ripple CTO David Schwartz and Litecoin influencer @jonnylitecoin reignited an old ‘rivalry’.
What started as a few tweets has now turned into a full-blown debate over proof-of-work, token creation, and which crypto has the stronger future.
Let’s dive in.
XRP Is a “Psychological Operation”
The influencer kicked off the drama with a post questioning XRP’s value and real-world use.
“Quick recap of my experience working in payments of #XRP vs #Litecoin. I have never once seen a XRP transaction done in the real world. Where are the blockchain analytics?? My conclusion is that XRP is a psychological operation meant to distract you,” he wrote.
He followed it up with another jab that Litecoin’s value comes from its proof-of-work mining process, which requires real energy and resources, while XRP was created by Ripple without mining or staking – a point he used to question XRP’s legitimacy and long-term value.
Schwartz Defends XRP’s Sustainability
Schwartz fired back with a short but pointed reply.
“Two products are equivalent except that one takes much more energy to make than the other. Which one do you think is the most likely to grow in popularity over time?”
His response reflected Ripple’s long-running argument that XRP is far more energy-efficient than proof-of-work tokens like Litecoin, a stance Ripple has pushed for years as it promotes XRP as a greener option for payments.
Litecoin’s Official Account Sparked the Feud
The drama traces back to a series of viral posts from the Litecoin Foundation’s official X account, which mocked XRP and its reputation as a bank-focused payments token. One post claimed XRP’s hype was built on “illusion” and even compared it to a comet’s “rotten egg” smell.
“I roast Solana: We laughed, we cried… I roast XRP: Diarrhetic vitriol for 2 full days, threats of legal action,” the account wrote, triggering community rage and calls for a defamation suit from Ripple.
XRP vs. Litecoin: What Market Numbers Say
Behind the social media drama, the numbers show a wide gap. XRP has a fully diluted market cap of about $281 billion, with nearly $1.4 billion in institutional inflows this year. Litecoin’s market cap stands at $8.4 billion with $4.71 million in inflows. XRP also has multiple spot ETF filings, while Litecoin has only two.
Litecoin still holds its ground as “digital silver,” offering low fees and a loyal user base, but XRP’s regulatory clarity, cross-border payments network, and institutional support keep it firmly ahead.
For now, XRP’s ecosystem and market position give it a clear edge. This debate shows crypto’s split vision.
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FAQs
A Litecoin influencer called XRP a “psychological operation,” questioning its real-world use and value, which prompted a public rebuttal from Ripple’s CTO.
Critics claim XRP lacks legitimacy because it was pre-mined and isn’t secured by energy-intensive mining or staking like proof-of-work cryptocurrencies.
XRP’s market cap is significantly larger at ~$281B vs. Litecoin’s $8.4B, with substantially greater institutional investment and ETF interest.
Yes 
No 
