TL;DR
The question of whether XRP could outshine Bitcoin has returned after legal analyst Bill Morgan referred to a 2013 text written by journalist Felix Salmon that described Ripple as a strong alternative to early digital money models. Morgan said the article became difficult to find online and that this situation created doubts about how the history of the industry was preserved. Supporters of XRP argue that the original piece reflected a period when many specialists considered Ripple technology better suited for real economic use than Bitcoin.
Morgan explained that early media coverage treated XRP as a serious competitor rather than a secondary token. He reminded readers that several banks tested Ripple infrastructure during the middle of the last decade and that those trials demonstrated the capacity of the network to process payments in seconds with low costs. According to his view, the narrative changed later as Bitcoin captured most investment vehicles and public attention. Pro-crypto commentators added that competition between networks is healthy and that revisiting past opinions helps the market understand its own evolution.
Traders in 2026 evaluate digital assets with different criteria from those used 13 years ago. Bitcoin remains the largest cryptocurrency by capitalization, yet XRP shows constant growth in payment routes across Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Reports from research companies indicated that corporate use of Ripple services increased by more than 20 percent during the last year. Analysts say the asset benefits from clearer regulation and alliances with licensed custodians and payment processors.
Developers highlight technical contrasts between the two systems. Bitcoin depends on proof of work security while XRP operates with a consensus model designed for speed and energy efficiency. Engineers claim this structure allows thousands of transactions per second without major upgrades. Critics respond that decentralization and time-tested security matter more than raw performance. The discussion continues with strong arguments on both sides.
Public policy has become a decisive factor in the rivalry. The United States clarified digital asset rules in recent months, giving exchanges guidance on listing procedures. Europe expanded instant payment networks that connect with blockchain providers, including firms that use Ripple technology for real transfers. These measures encouraged new liquidity and reminded investors that compliance determines which tokens reach traditional finance.
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