Is XRP the New Bitcoin? Angel Investor Sparks a Crypto Showdown! 🚀💰

In a world where everyone seems to have an opinion on cryptocurrency, one particularly vocal investor—who made his fortune betting on the likes of Uber and Robinhood—decided to take to social media to express his skepticism about XRP. Spoiler alert: he’s not a fan. He’s contrasting it with Bitcoin like it’s a fine wine versus a cheap beer. 🍷🍺

Calacanis Slams XRP’s Structure

Calacanis, the self-proclaimed crypto connoisseur, argues that XRP is about as decentralized as a government meeting. “According to every crypto OG I talk to, it’s the opposite of Bitcoin,” he quipped, as if he were revealing the secret ingredient in grandma’s famous cookie recipe. His main concern? That XRP is more controlled than a toddler in a candy store, and if an ETF gets approved, it could send existing securities laws into a tailspin. 🎢

He didn’t stop there. Oh no! He predicted that an XRP ETF could unleash market chaos akin to a Black Friday sale at a big-box store. “There will be chaos in the markets as a million startups, funds, and grifters start dumping 50% of their coins on retail while slowly selling the 50% they own and control,” he warned. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, doesn’t it? 😱

Calacanis also co-hosts the popular All-In podcast with Crypto and AI czar David Sacks. If they’re on the same page, XRP investors might want to start looking for a life raft. But wait! Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has ties to Washington, which might just mean President Trump could throw XRP a lifeline. After all, it’s American-made! 🇺🇸

Centralization Debate Intensifies

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) has become the epicenter of a centralization controversy. Critics argue that Ripple’s massive XRP holdings—worth a staggering $100 billion—raise serious monopoly concerns. And let’s not forget, XRPL transactions are confirmed by a select few validators on Ripple’s Unique Node List (UNL). Talk about a VIP club! 🎟️

Despite the uproar, Ripple stands firm, insisting that XRP is just like oil or diamonds—neutral and decentralized. They claim to have 187 validators working tirelessly to keep things fair and secure. But can we really trust a company that sounds like it’s trying to sell us a used car? 🚗

Growing Institutional Interest in XRP ETFs

While Calacanis remains skeptical about XRP ETFs, the market seems to be warming up to the idea. According to Polymarket, there’s an 81% chance that an XRP ETF will be approved this year. Who knew the crypto world could be so optimistic? 🌈

Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan recently chimed in, saying that while the SEC is still playing hard to get, they’re more open to discussing digital asset-backed ETFs. “The SEC would like to be accommodative and allow people to gain exposure to these assets through ETPs,” he said, but warned that it won’t happen overnight. Patience is a virtue, after all! ⏳

Japan’s Endorsement of XRP Adds to the Debate

Meanwhile, across the Pacific, XRP is enjoying a warm embrace in Japan. Recent data shows that XRP accounts for 18% of tokens stored on Japanese exchanges, outpacing Ethereum’s 14.4%. Who knew Japan had such a soft spot for XRP? 🇯🇵

Ripple’s relationship with Japan goes way back to its partnership with SBI Holdings, which launched SBI Ripple Asia in 2016. In 2021, Japan’s financial regulators even declared that XRP doesn’t fall under the securities category. Talk about a regulatory vacation! 🏖️

Watch – XRP Price Analysis Video

Final Thoughts

While Calacanis’

2025-02-18 20:16