The rivalry between Stellar (XLM) and Ripple (XRP) has reached new heights. Over the weekend, Build on Stellar (@BuildOnStellar) threw shade at Ripple in a bold social media post, reigniting tensions between the two crypto giants.
The Spark That Ignited the Fire
The post referenced Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It didn’t take long for the XRP community to react. Some members called for a mass sell-off of XLM tokens. Others accused Stellar of being nothing more than an XRP Ledger (XRPL) copycat.
XRPL validator Vet didn’t hold back, saying, “Imagine forking the XRP Ledger and calling it progress.” This comment fueled the fire, intensifying the debate within the crypto space.
A History of Rivalry
The tension isn’t new. Stellar’s founder, Jed McCaleb, also co-founded Ripple and served as its Chief Technology Officer. This shared history often places XRP and XLM side by side in discussions, especially since their price movements show an unusually high correlation.
However, despite their common roots, Stellar and Ripple have key differences. Their design, token distribution, and consensus mechanisms set them apart. Stellar focuses on facilitating low-cost, cross-border transactions, while Ripple targets financial institutions with its payment solutions.
Defending Stellar
Last November, McCaleb defended Stellar in a detailed post. He claimed it was “the most underrated” cryptocurrency, highlighting that it handles ten times more transactions than Ethereum. McCaleb emphasized that “many real people are already using it for actual real-world transactions,” showcasing Stellar’s strong use case. He also praised Stellar’s “world-class” engineering, asserting its superiority in blockchain technology.
What’s Next?
The crypto community remains divided. While XRP loyalists stand firm, Stellar supporters believe their project is carving its own path. This feud isn’t just about old grudges; it reflects the fierce competition in the ever-evolving crypto world.
As both projects continue to grow, one thing is clear: the Stellar vs. Ripple saga is far from over. Stay tuned for more twists and turns in this crypto rivalry.
