Historical Clarification: XRP and XRPL Created in 2012, Not Before Bitcoin
26 Jun 2026 · 10:50 UTC · Crypto.News RSS Feed · Original source
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Summary
David Schwartz, a key figure at Ripple, clarified the historical timeline of XRP and the XRP Ledger (XRPL) development. Schwartz explained that while Ryan Fugger designed a payment network concept before Bitcoin was created, the actual XRP token and the XRP Ledger were developed later through new code implemented in 2012. This clarification addresses a common misconception about the project's origins and timeline relative to Bitcoin's creation in 2009.
Why it matters
The article's impact is constrained by its backward-looking historical nature. Crypto markets are primarily driven by forward-looking catalysts such as regulatory announcements, technological breakthroughs, security developments, adoption news, or macroeconomic events. Historical clarifications, while potentially valuable for project narratives and community discourse, do not typically trigger substantial trading activity. The source credibility is moderate (0.5), coming from an RSS feed with limited originality (0.35) and authority (0.45), further reducing impact. Bitcoin's price is largely insulated from project-specific history, being driven by macro factors and institutional adoption. XRP and altcoins show marginally higher sensitivity given that narrative matters more for alternatives, but even this effect is minimal given the clarification comes from a well-known project figure without revealing surprising new information. Certainty around minimal impact increases at longer timeframes as other market factors dominate pricing mechanics.
Expected impact
This article provides historical clarification regarding the origins of XRP and the XRP Ledger (XRPL). David Schwartz clarifies that while Ryan Fugger designed a payment network concept before Bitcoin, the actual XRP token and XRPL were developed later through new code in 2012. This is retrospective information correcting a historical misconception rather than introducing new market-moving developments. The impact on cryptocurrency markets is minimal since the article addresses historical facts already known to most market participants and does not introduce new technological developments, regulatory changes, or adoption announcements. Bitcoin should remain largely unaffected as the clarification is specific to Ripple's project history. Altcoins, particularly XRP, may see minimal positive sentiment from community members viewing this as a positive historical clarification, but the effect would be marginal and temporary.