Ripple CTO Explains Why Bitcoin Maxis Are Attacking XRP

XRP has recently come under intense criticism from Bitcoin maximalists, and Ripple CTO David Schwartz has weighed in to suggest why the attacks have escalated.

Bitcoin Maxi Attacks on XRP

Prominent Bitcoin advocates, such as Pierre Rochard of Riot Platforms, Rajat Soni (CFA), and Robert Breedlove, have been at the forefront of spreading negative narratives about XRP recently.

Both Soni and Breedlove have openly labeled XRP a scam in multiple posts on X. Breedlove even went as far as to claim that XRP is a “psychological operation” to trick retail investors into losing their money. 

According to him, XRP exploits a lack of understanding among investors about centralization versus decentralization, the nature of money, and counterparty risk and uses a bot army to further its agenda.

“Don’t fall for the scam,” Breedlove urged. Veteran financial expert Soni shares this perspective. 

Meanwhile, Rochard, VP of Research at Bitcoin mining firm Riot Platforms, fueled the FUD around XRP by claiming that it poses the greatest threat to the potential U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve.

The intensity of these attacks has attracted the attention of Ripple executives, while the XRP Army continues to resist the campaign.

Ripple CTO Reacts

According to Ripple CTO David Schwartz, XRP has come under attack because Ripple advocates for a level playing field where the government does not favor Bitcoin over other cryptocurrencies. “That was always what the maximalists feared,” Schwartz said.

We starting pushing for a level playing field where the government doesn’t play favorites. That was always what the maixs most feared.

— David “JoelKatz” Schwartz (@JoelKatz) January 25, 2025

Notably, Schwartz refers to Ripple’s push for the U.S. government to adopt a national crypto reserve that includes more than just Bitcoin, incorporating a range of crypto assets. 

As Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has pointed out, this approach makes sense from a diversification standpoint.

In response, Bitcoin maxis like Rochard argue that Ripple’s moves threaten the concept of a U.S. strategic Bitcoin reserve. Kraken’s Bitcoin historian Pete Rizzo shares this viewpoint. 

In a tweet, Rizzo publicly alleged that Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse “is the one” advising President Donald Trump “not to buy Bitcoin.”

However, Ripple’s CEO has countered these critiques by stating that their advocacy is actually aimed at making the concept of a strategic crypto reserve a reality—one that includes Bitcoin, not excludes it.

XRP FUDs Could Be a Good Thing?

Amid the ongoing debate between Bitcoin maximalists and the XRP community, some XRP supporters view the situation positively. 

X user Mark Kangas noted that, regardless of the reasons behind the ramped-up attacks on XRP, they generate significant interest in XRP. 

“Free advertising is not a bad thing,” he said. “I suppose we all owe them a hearty thank you,” Kangas added.