Ripple CTO Calls XLM Founder a “Crazy Fool Holding a Live Grenade”

The Ripple CTO’s controversial tweet about Stellar’s co-founder sparks reactions as the XRP-XLM rivalry intensifies in the crypto community.

In a recent development in the ongoing rivalry between the Ripple (XRP) blockchain and Stellar Lumens (XLM), the Ripple Chief Technology Officer (CTO), David Schwartz, has taken a swipe at Stellar co-founder Jed McCaleb.

In a tweet that caused quite a stir in the crypto community, Schwartz warned crypto enthusiasts to be wary of McCaleb, stating that the XLM co-founder walks around with a live grenade without realizing it.

“If Jed McCaleb throws a pin at you, RUN,” Schwartz said, quoting a video clip where a police officer incidentally ignited a live grenade while in a sedan car.

If @JedMccaleb12 throws a pin at you, *RUN*. The crazy fool certainly doesn’t realize he’s holding a live grenade. https://t.co/n5WewXnHjk

— David “JoelKatz” Schwartz (@JoelKatz) May 8, 2023

This tweet is the latest shot fired in a long-standing feud between the XRP and the XLM crypto communities. The tweet has sparked a lot of reactions on Twitter, with nearly 200k engagements, with many users taking sides with the Ripple CTO.

McCaleb Mocks XRP Community

McCaleb throws shades at the Ripple and XRP community from the angle of the blockchain’s unending legal battles with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The XLM co-founder quoted an update on XRP’s latest program in Las Vegas, asking the SEC chairman Gary Gensler to come in and “set things straight.”

Looks like the ass kissing Olympics is going swell. Somebody get Gensler in here to set things straight. https://t.co/kLgTEZ7KNW

— Jed McCaleb (@JedMccaleb12) May 8, 2023

On McCaleb’s tweet, CryptoVan questioned whether he (McCaleb) is feeling left out.

Sarcastically, Schwartz replied, “Stellar is always there for him.”

Stellar is always there for him.

— David “JoelKatz” Schwartz (@JoelKatz) May 8, 2023

How Did the XRP-XLM Rivalry Start?

It is unclear when the two crypto communities started picking at each other. However, in a tweet last year August, a well-known crypto influencer account asked the Ripple CTO what his biggest criticism of the XLM ledger was. Although he did not respond, McCaleb instead wrote: “that XLM is a threat to XRP.” 

The response from McCaleb clearly shows that both blockchains are at loggerheads because one thinks it is a threat to the other.

That XLM is a threat to XRP

— Jed McCaleb (@JedMccaleb12) August 7, 2022

While Ripple and Stellar are blockchain-based payment solutions aiming to revolutionize the financial industry, their rift is not subsiding anytime soon as both often fight for dominance.

XRP and XLM, Which Has the Best Market?

According to data from the popular market tracking website, CoinMarketCap, Ripple XRP has a market share of nearly $22 billion, ranking sixth among the most significant tokens. On the other hand, Stellar XLM ranks far below position 27, with barely a $2.37 billion market cap.

Five years ago, XLM was among the top ten most significant tokens, with a market cap of over $12 billion.