Ripple Co-Founder’s Cryptic Post Coincides With XRP Price Rise

• Ripple co-founder Arthur Britto posted on social media for the first time since 2011
• Ripple’s CTO confirmed the founder’s cryptic post was authentic, not a security breach
• The event coincided with a positive market reaction, with XRP’s price gaining nearly 1%

Arthur Britto, a co-founder of Ripple and an original architect of the XRP Ledger, ended nearly 14 years of public silence with a single emoji posted to his X account on June 23, 2025. 

The minimalist message from the highly private founder immediately stirred interest and widespread speculation within the XRP community, prompting questions about the motive behind his sudden return after more than a decade.

What Was in the Post and How Did Ripple Respond?

Initial reactions to Britto’s cryptic message included suspicions of a possible account compromise. However, David Schwartz, Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer and a fellow creator of the XRPL, promptly dismissed these concerns by confirming the post’s authenticity. 

In a follow-up post, Schwartz commented, “I can confirm this was not a hack or compromise. Unless, of course, I was hacked too. How deep does this conspiracy go?” Britto’s X account had remained dormant since its creation in August 2011, making this first public interaction a notable event for the community.

Who Is the Reclusive Arthur Britto?

Britto’s preference for privacy has been a consistent trait throughout his career, even as he co-founded and contributed to several key blockchain and fintech projects, including PolySign and its former subsidiary, Standard Custody & Trust Company. 

His work with these firms, often alongside Schwartz, underscores his continued deep involvement in building crypto and fintech infrastructure, albeit well away from the public view.

How Did the XRP Market React to the News?

The market appeared to react positively to the news. In the 24 hours following the report, XRP’s market metrics reflected a modest but clear uptick. 

The token gained nearly 1% to trade between $2.15 – $2.20. Its market capitalization saw a corresponding increase, rising to nearly $130 billion and signaling renewed market interest coinciding with the founder’s reappearance.

The circulating supply of XRP currently totals 58.94 billion tokens from a maximum supply capped at 100 billion. Price fluctuations within the past day showed a healthy range between approximately $2.09 and $2.22, with the token holding onto its gains by the morning of June 25, suggesting a supportive reaction from traders.