- XRP community calls out Jed McCaleb over Stellar’s remarks, reigniting old tensions.
- Ripple vs. Stellar rivalry escalates as XRP supporters accuse McCaleb of profiting amid legal battles.
A recent social media post from the Build on Stellar account has reignited tensions between Ripple and Stellar, sparking outrage within the XRP community. The post subtly referenced Ripple’s ongoing legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which many XRP supporters saw as a direct jab at the company.
Community Backlash and Legal Voices
As highlighted in a recent tweet, this latest controversy has drawn sharp criticism. Among those calling out the comment was John Deaton, a lawyer representing XRP holders in their class-action lawsuit against the SEC.
Imagine a founder publicly taking shots at the company he co-founded, after the company was targeted by the @SECGov, likely with his help, for spending $150 million in legal fees because the SEC said it was illegal for that company to have sold $1.3 billion in XRP sales. Now… https://t.co/mCvTVnxkHB
— John E Deaton (@JohnEDeaton1) February 8, 2025
Notably, Crypto News Flash (CNF) pointed out that McCaleb’s latest venture, Vast, aims to develop artificial-gravity space stations for long-term human habitation while also working on revolutionizing cross-border payments with blockchain technology.
Deaton criticized McCaleb, highlighting the irony of a Ripple co-founder distancing himself from the company while still profiting from XRP sales. He emphasized that while Ripple fought the SEC lawsuit—spending over $150 million on legal fees—McCaleb continued selling his XRP holdings, allegedly making around $2 billion even after the lawsuit was filed.
Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, also weighed in, responding with a sharp remark:
“If you go after the king, you might as well not miss.”
His comment resonated with the XRP community, reinforcing the view that Stellar’s post crossed a line.
Old Rivalries Resurface
In 2023, a CNF update raised the question on Why didn’t the SEC include Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb in its lawsuit?Deaton later explained this issue, as XRP continued to rally in anticipation of a legal victory.
The friction between Stellar and Ripple is nothing new. McCaleb, a co-founder of Ripple, left the company in 2013 to create Stellar, a rival blockchain focused on cross-border payments. The two projects have been competing ever since, but this latest clash feels more personal than just business rivalry.
Many in the XRP community questioned the intent behind the Build on Stellar post. Was it an offhand remark, or a calculated move to provoke Ripple supporters? Given the timing and history between McCaleb and Ripple, some believe it was no coincidence.
What’s Next with XRP?
Whether or not the feud escalates further, one thing is clear—the divide between Ripple and Stellar remains as deep as ever, and the XRP community isn’t letting this one slide.
Meanwhile, Ripple (XRP) is experiencing significant price volatility, with a 4.02% decline in the past day but a 10.80% increase over the past week, bringing its current trading price to $2.39. See the Ripple (XRP) price chart below.
