Ripple Co-founder: We Want to Build a Better Bitcoin…. And We Created XRP.

A recent post by cryptocurrency commentator Xaif on X has rekindled interest in the origins and purpose of XRP. Quoting Chris Larsen, co-founder and former CEO of Ripple, stating: "At first, we wanted to build a better Bitcoin... and we created XRP." This strong reflection brings a fresh reminder of Ripple's founding vision and how it diverged from Bitcoin's path to address real-world financial needs. Reassessing the Limits of Bitcoin Although Chris Larsen was not a member of the original team that built the XRP Ledger, he joined Ripple in 2012, shortly after the protocol was developed by David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto. Their goal was very clear: to address the limitations of Bitcoin—especially slow transaction speeds, high energy consumption, and scalability issues.

What Larsen brings is an attractive business vision. He sees the potential to turn this new technology into the foundation of a company focused on modernizing global finance. While the creators of the XRP Ledger designed a more efficient blockchain, Larsen played a crucial role in turning that innovation into a commercial solution. XRP: Designed for Utility, Built for Speed Unlike Bitcoin, which is envisioned as an alternative to traditional financial systems, Ripple, led by Larsen, has taken a collaborative approach. The mission is not to replace banks, but to work with them. XRP is positioned as a bridge currency, enabling faster, cheaper, and more reliable cross-border payments. Ripple's enterprise tools, including xCurrent and xRapid, have utilized the speed and efficiency of the XRP Ledger to facilitate instant payments between fiat currencies. XRP serves as a liquidity solution, transferring value between parties in seconds, eliminating the need for pre-funded accounts and costly intermediaries. This approach allows Ripple to build genuine partnerships with financial institutions worldwide, transforming XRP from just another cryptocurrency into a platform for blockchain adoption by organizations. A Ledger That Withstands the Test of Time Today, more than a decade later, the XRP Ledger continues to deliver on its original promise. It remains one of the fastest and most energy-efficient blockchains available. In addition to payments, the ledger now supports stablecoins like RLUSD, asset tokenization, and Ethereum-compatible smart contracts through its EVM sidechain. Ripple's global presence has also increased. The company has secured regulatory licenses across major financial regions, expanding into key areas such as Europe and the Asia-Pacific, and continues to play a central role in the blockchain-based financial infrastructure. A Vision Still Matters Xaif's reference to Larsen's quote is not just nostalgia; it is also a timely reminder of XRP's mission. The idea of "building a better Bitcoin" has never been about competition; it is about evolution. Thanks to the technical innovations of the creators and Larsen's strategic leadership, XRP was purpose-built for real-world finance. And more than a decade later, that purpose is more important than ever.